Germany vs. Italy: Complete Tactical Guide to Euro 2012 Semifinal 2

With the business end of the tournament truly off and running, the second semifinal sees customary last-four attendees Germany face the winner of the last quarterfinal Italy.

Germany have waltzed through the tournament so far, picking up the only maximum nine-point haul in the group stages and simply smashing Greece to pieces in the quarterfinal.

Italy made the journey more of a task, but deserve to be in this position nonetheless.

Here's how both teams will likely line up.

Giorgio Chiellini will play if fit and likely resume his domestic partnership with Juventus colleague Andrea Barzagli. Ignazio Abate will be an injury concern, but Christian Maggio is suspended, so right-back is a worry.

Germany didn't start Mario Gomez, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller for the quarterfinal against Greece, but they should return. Andre Schurrle did nothing to convince Joachim Low that Podolski is replaceable.

Germany's Approach

Joachim Low deserves credit for what he's done so far, but nothing has been achieved just yet.

With a large majority of Bayern Munich players in the starting XI, Low is wise to mimic Jupp Heynckes' formation and tendencies.

Die Mannschaft possess threats all over the pitch, from their star-studded striking force to their explosive, marauding full-backs.

Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger will hold the midfield whilst their attacking compatriots run riot.

Mesut Ozil is absolutely key here, as illustrated in his side's win over Netherlands. He is adept at moving across the lines, shaking his marker and creating overloads in specific areas.

He is one of the most naturally intelligent footballers in the game at the moment, and without him, Germany's hopes of winning diminish significantly.

Take this example from Germany's group game against the Dutch.

While Schweinsteiger slotted the pass through to Gomez to finish with aplomb, Ozil made it happen with his impressive movement.

He and Muller created an overload down the right, attracting the attention of the poor, young Jetro Willems, one of the holding midfielders and one of the centre-backs.

This opened a channel on the inside of Joris Mathijsen for Gomez to slip into. Ozil does this as a matter of course and often doesn't get noticed for his true brilliance.

Italy's Approach

Based on the last few games, it looks like Italy will utilise a 4-4-2 diamond formation. As far as diamonds go, the Azzurri's is one of the most impressive in football right now and the players know exactly how to keep their shape.

Andrea Pirlo will, of course, act as "regista" and chief playmaker from the base of the diamond, whilst Cesare Prandelli utilises two runners in midfield with a "trequartista" at the head.

This formation is incredibly narrow so Federico Balzaretti and Ignazio Abate's runs from the full-back position are crucial to this team going forward and maintaining control of the game.

This is a team who is comfortable in almost any situation and each player's positional sense is outstanding. The 3-5-2 that they utilised for the first few games was forced upon them due to injury, but worked nevertheless because of the impressive squad.

Italy Attack vs. Germany Defence

It will be tough for Pirlo to exert his dominance against Germany like he did against England in the quarterfinal.

When faced with Roy Hodgson's strict banks of four, Pirlo simply sat deep enough so the opposition wouldn't break rank and run at him. As a result, he completed 114 passes and received 126 from his teammates.

As such, Pirlo could pick his passes at leisure, whether that's a long ball over the top for Mario Balotelli or a short pass to a wide or central midfield option.

Germany utilise a pressing game. Providing the ball is not with either of the opposition's central defenders, though, so Pirlo will not have this much time on the ball.

In Italy's first game against Spain, he received treatment similar to what he can expect in this semifinal. He only managed 32 passes during that game—a stark contrast indeed.

Germany Attack vs. Italy Defence

Italy are pretty solid in defence, so Germany will need to hit the books in order to find a way past their European counterparts.

Ozil's movement will be hard to track on an individual basis due to Italy's diamond formation, and Prandelli is not going to ask Pirlo to abandon his creative duties in order to man-mark.

In all honesty, Italy could do with borrowing Miguel Veloso of Portugal. They could also decide to move Pirlo slightly further forward and place Daniele De Rossi or Claudio Marchisio at the base of the diamond.

This won't happen, though. If Ozil is on form and able to drift across, exploit space on the counter or create overloads with Muller and Podolski, Italy could be in trouble.

Conclusion

Germany will be favourites here, with Italy the verified underdogs.

Italy failed to control the game against Spain and will probably struggle here, too, but that doesn't mean they can't win it.

Pirlo's pass through to Antonio Di Natale was a great example of how one man can turn a game, and the threat of Balotelli running in behind was clear against England.

Mats Hummels won't be fooled, but Holger Badstuber has had a bad tournament so far and could be suspect.

It should be an absolutely cracking game and has the makings to be a semifinal to remember. Entertainment-wise, it's head and shoulders above Spain vs. Portugal.

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