Italy v Germany - Semi-final - Warsaw

Germany must overcome the weight of history if they are to beat Italy and set up a repeat of the 2008 final against Spain on Sunday.

Despite being favourites to win in Warsaw, Germany have yet to come out on top in seven competitive meetings between the two countries.

Germany boss Joachim Low knows his side must disturb Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who was allowed to dictate play in Italy's quarter-final victory over England.

Low said: "He's the Italian player who directs the game.

"We have to disturb him, stop him playing, get in his way, and think of a way how we can do better than Italy in midfield."

But Low has also called for focus from his own side, believing they must play to the strengths which has seen them win all their games so far.

"It's a confidence thing. We have to be cheeky, strong and brave," he said.

"We have to concentrate and work very hard. I don't think we have to worry too much about our opponents. We have to impose our own ideas."

Despite never having lost a competitive match against Germany, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli knows it will be tough to beat their opponents.

"The Germans, alongside Spain, are the favourites to win the European Championship," he said.

"I'm not the first to discover how good they are, they are playing very well."

Team news

Low has received a boost with the news influential midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will be fit after shrugging off a sore ankle following the 4-2 win over Greece.

But he has decisions to make after surprisingly leaving Arsenal new-boy Lukas Podolski, Thomas Muller and tournament top scorer Mario Gomez out of his starting line-up against Greece.

He is expected to restore the trio to his side, despite Marco Reus and Andre Schurrle adding pace to the German attack in their place, while Miroslav Klose scored against the Greeks.

For Italy, the team's medical staff are doing 'everything possible' to get injured Daniele De Rossi, Ignazio Abate and Giorgio Chiellini back to fitness for the game, with the trio undergoing intensive physiotherapy.

Midfielder De Rossi and right-back Abate were substituted with muscle injuries in Sunday's quarter-final penalty victory over England, while Chiellini missed the game with a thigh problem.

Chiellini has since returned to training and will probably come in for Leonardo Bonucci if he is fit, while Antonio Nocerino will likely replace De Rossi should he miss out.

Coach Prandelli has a big decision to make if Abate fails to recover as fellow right-back Christian Maggio is suspended.

The Italy coach could either move a centre-half like Bonucci or Andrea Barzagli to the right or change to a three-man defence used in the opening two group games.