Germany have played in way we have not been accustomed to. Gone is the boring 1-0 German side and emerged a young, enthusiastic, creative and entertaining side which is capable of producing eye-catching football as well as resolute performances when needed. Germany’s ride started on a bumpy note against Costa Rica but since then they have played like a side hungry for success. They saw off a fierce Argentina side on penalties with the calm needed to win cups. Jurgen Klinsmann has shrugged off traditonal german tactics and has made them play all out attacking football (just the way his predatory strikers instincts preferred). Klose is in the form of his life and have no real competitors to golden boot award. Ballack and Schwanstieger form a deadly combo and add Podolski to the mix and we have an exciting team ready to upstage Italians.
Italians started this campaign with an emphatic and impressive win over ghana but since then their performances have been topsy turvy. But their route to semifinal has been helped by swiss topping their group and ukranians getting the better of swiss on penalties. With no disrespect towards Ukraine, Italians have had the easiest route to the semis as compared to other teams. Though their match against socceroos tested them to bits. What is refreshing in this Italian side though is their manager’s adventurous approach which is very un-italian. He seems not to rely on 1-0 lead and has the armory to build on those leads. His main striker Toni has finally clicked and will be a major threat up front. But if Italy is to beat Germany, Totti has to play a more influential role than he has thus far.
Italy have really impressed, rock solid defence and quality forwards in some moment of this World Cup event. At other times they've looked really self-destructive, especially with those silly red cards. If they keep their heads up - they may have a bit too much for Germany, I don't think Lippi will make the poor substitutions that Pekerman did.
Germany on the other hand have been growing all tournament and are defending far better than they were before. Hard to bet against them. This is a tough match to predict but I'm going with Germany!
Germany already had a scare against a supposedly good team, and apart from their willpower they did not have any chance of getting back into the match. It was the fear of the Argentinians that let the Germans back. Technically and tactically the Argentinians were better. Italy are an even better side than Argentina. And they are the best in defending a lead. They are basically the only team that can manage to defend a 1-0 lead for 90 mins. Moreover, Totti is due to deliver a good match, so that’s another advantage for Italy.
I don't have solid facts/stats, but this is what I know from various matches i've seen both play:
Lehman is a good keeper, but makes big blunders from time to time. Is a good penalty-killer
Buffon: belongs to the top 3 best keepers -if not the best. There is a debate who is better of the three: Buffon, Cech or Casillas. Is also a good penalty-killer. Very solid, I haven't seen any keeping error by him ever. Is coached by Dino Zoff himself.
If it comes to penalties, it won't be the keepers but the takers who will decide. Germans haven't lost a shoot-out for almost 30 years. Italians have lost shoot-outs regularly. Most recent was against France in '98. Also, who can forget Baggio in '94? But they also won one against Holland Euro 2000 (this one was keeped by Toldo).
b***tard officials are making a decision about Torsten Frings after the Argentina game investigating his involvement…and if he get’s in trouble and suspended then Germany is in trouble too…Abay, leave him alone…there were lots of players on both sides fighting
Fellas, do you really think Italians’ diving is going to sell against Germany on their home soil? The ref will be killed if that happens.
Why does everyone always counts out the German side? The last time around, critics said Germany wasn’t even a contender, and they made it to the finals! This time around critics said Germany is too young and inexperienced, and look, they beat every one set before them.
