Die Mannschaft

Germany must stop Pirlo to beat Italy: Loew

Germany boss Joachim Loew has highlighted stopping Andrea Pirlo and winning the midfield battle as key to his side defeating Italy in their Euro 2012 semi-final clash on Thursday night.

Die Mannschaft enter the last four as the only side to have won all four of their games so far but their coach remains concerned by the threat posed by the Azzurri and their midfield maestro.

"Pirlo is an exceptional player, with good ideas. Hes the one who directs the game, so we have to stop him and get in his radius. We have to think of a way to play better than Italy in midfield and dictate the tempo of the match," said Loew.

"We will not let Italy show us how to play football. Its a confidence thing. We have to be cheeky, we have to be strong and brave. I know it will be very tight. We are well prepared, we know our strengths and were in a position to get in the final by beating Italy."...more    

It's time for Germany to break the curse: Low

Germany's coach Joachim Low believes that the time has come for Germany to overcome their struggles of the past and defeat Italy in a major tournament. Die Mannschaft have failed to come out on top against the Azzurri in four previous World Cups and two European Championship meetings. They will go head-to-head once more in the Euro 2012 semi-final on Thursday, and the 52-year-old trainer believes that they will finally...