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7/4 World Cup: Italy vs Germany (Team to Qualify)
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Germany skipper Michael Ballack has declared Italy favourites to win the semi-final clash in Dortmund but hopes the frenetic home support can help his country through.
The tournament hosts have never beaten Italy in a World Cup match, and it is just four months since the Azzurri handed Jurgen Klinsmann the worst defeat of his coaching career.
The 4-1 crushing in Florence spelled the low point of the Klinsmann area, with AC Milan and Juventus later underlining Italian dominance over Germany by seeing off Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen in the Champions League.
Italy have not tasted defeat in any of their last 23 matches as their last loss dates back to October 2004 when Slovenia edged them in a World Cup qualifier.
That is why Ballack believes ``all odds will be against us'' tomorrow.
``They are a very strong opponent with a long streak and they have beaten us comfortably not a long time ago,'' Ballack stated. ``They dominated us, also on club level. Not long ago we lost 4-1 with the national team and also with Bayern Munich (in the Champions League).''
However, the 29-year-old carried a cheeky smile on his face while downplaying his country's chances following five wins in as many matches.
``Actually, we have no chance,'' he added. ``Everything speaks against us, everything favours them.''
He was full of praise for the Italian team.
``They have had a rough start to the tournament but they stuck to their system and it has always been enough to advance to the next round,'' he added. ``Their win over the Ukraine was very impressive.''
Germany come off an epic shoot-out victory over tournament favourites Argentina, but Ballack, who said he has fully recovered from minor calf problems, believes tomorrow's match will be much more difficult than the quarter-final.
``Our chances are much worse than against Argentina and our hopes rest on the crowd.''
Germany have won 13 of 14 matches in Dortmund's gigantic stadium, boasting an impressive goal difference of 59-7.
They got a first taste of the boisterous atmosphere three weeks ago when they defeated Poland 1-0 through an injury-time winner from Oliver Neuville.
``The crowd will be behind us like a wall and support us until the very last minute,'' Ballack stated. ``We are in great shape. We'll see whether that will be enough or not. We have a lot of self-confidence, the team is very hungry.''
Torsten Frings is currently being investigated by FIFA over his involvement in the post-match brawl with Argentina, but Klinsmann expects his influential holding midfielder to be available.
Tim Borowski is likely to be called should Frings be suspended.
Italy go into the showdown against red-hot hosts Germany claiming they could not have asked for better opponents in a World Cup semi-final.
Klinsmann's team have improved with each match and in the quarter-final they overcame Argentina, one of the tournament favourites.
The game finished 1-1 at the end of extra-time and the Germans won on penalties.
The Azzurri have never lost to Germany in a major tournament, however, and only four months ago, they hammered them 4-1 in a warm-up friendly in Florence.
``We are convinced our heads and our hearts are in the right place and we are in the best possible condition to make it happen,'' Italy playmaker Francesco Totti said.
``Our intention is to write another page in this duel [with Germany].
``The games of the past have left a mark and we want to write another page, perhaps the most memorable one of all.''
Germany are playing at home and in a city that has proved a lucky charm for the national team.
They have yet to lose in Dortmund, having won 13 of their 14 international games there.
``To beat Germany on their own turf would be the maximum,'' Totti said.
``It's a difficult challenge, but not an impossible one.''
Marcello Lippi is not expecting to find out until Tuesday if Alessandro Nesta will be fit to play against Germany.
The experienced defender has struggled with a muscular injury since the start of the tournament and missed the clash against Ukraine.
The good news for Lippi is that Materazzi will return from suspension and is set to partner captain Fabio Cannavaro at the heart of the Italian defence, should Nesta be ruled out.
Lippi expects to welcome back Juventus midfielder Mauro Camoranesi, who been unable to train for the past two days after picking up a knock in his thigh in their previous round game.
Daniele De Rossi is the only player out of the game as he continues to serve his suspension for an elbow on USA striker Brian McBride.
The tournament hosts have never beaten Italy in a World Cup match, and it is just four months since the Azzurri handed Jurgen Klinsmann the worst defeat of his coaching career.
The 4-1 crushing in Florence spelled the low point of the Klinsmann area, with AC Milan and Juventus later underlining Italian dominance over Germany by seeing off Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen in the Champions League.
Italy have not tasted defeat in any of their last 23 matches as their last loss dates back to October 2004 when Slovenia edged them in a World Cup qualifier.
That is why Ballack believes ``all odds will be against us'' tomorrow.
``They are a very strong opponent with a long streak and they have beaten us comfortably not a long time ago,'' Ballack stated. ``They dominated us, also on club level. Not long ago we lost 4-1 with the national team and also with Bayern Munich (in the Champions League).''
However, the 29-year-old carried a cheeky smile on his face while downplaying his country's chances following five wins in as many matches.
``Actually, we have no chance,'' he added. ``Everything speaks against us, everything favours them.''
He was full of praise for the Italian team.
``They have had a rough start to the tournament but they stuck to their system and it has always been enough to advance to the next round,'' he added. ``Their win over the Ukraine was very impressive.''
Germany come off an epic shoot-out victory over tournament favourites Argentina, but Ballack, who said he has fully recovered from minor calf problems, believes tomorrow's match will be much more difficult than the quarter-final.
``Our chances are much worse than against Argentina and our hopes rest on the crowd.''
Germany have won 13 of 14 matches in Dortmund's gigantic stadium, boasting an impressive goal difference of 59-7.
They got a first taste of the boisterous atmosphere three weeks ago when they defeated Poland 1-0 through an injury-time winner from Oliver Neuville.
``The crowd will be behind us like a wall and support us until the very last minute,'' Ballack stated. ``We are in great shape. We'll see whether that will be enough or not. We have a lot of self-confidence, the team is very hungry.''
Torsten Frings is currently being investigated by FIFA over his involvement in the post-match brawl with Argentina, but Klinsmann expects his influential holding midfielder to be available.
Tim Borowski is likely to be called should Frings be suspended.
Italy go into the showdown against red-hot hosts Germany claiming they could not have asked for better opponents in a World Cup semi-final.
Klinsmann's team have improved with each match and in the quarter-final they overcame Argentina, one of the tournament favourites.
The game finished 1-1 at the end of extra-time and the Germans won on penalties.
The Azzurri have never lost to Germany in a major tournament, however, and only four months ago, they hammered them 4-1 in a warm-up friendly in Florence.
``We are convinced our heads and our hearts are in the right place and we are in the best possible condition to make it happen,'' Italy playmaker Francesco Totti said.
``Our intention is to write another page in this duel [with Germany].
``The games of the past have left a mark and we want to write another page, perhaps the most memorable one of all.''
Germany are playing at home and in a city that has proved a lucky charm for the national team.
They have yet to lose in Dortmund, having won 13 of their 14 international games there.
``To beat Germany on their own turf would be the maximum,'' Totti said.
``It's a difficult challenge, but not an impossible one.''
Marcello Lippi is not expecting to find out until Tuesday if Alessandro Nesta will be fit to play against Germany.
The experienced defender has struggled with a muscular injury since the start of the tournament and missed the clash against Ukraine.
The good news for Lippi is that Materazzi will return from suspension and is set to partner captain Fabio Cannavaro at the heart of the Italian defence, should Nesta be ruled out.
Lippi expects to welcome back Juventus midfielder Mauro Camoranesi, who been unable to train for the past two days after picking up a knock in his thigh in their previous round game.
Daniele De Rossi is the only player out of the game as he continues to serve his suspension for an elbow on USA striker Brian McBride.
S
Spartacus
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I'm pulling for germany
but any european team is fine by me
even the french
but any european team is fine by me
even the french
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