Clinical Germany versus classy Italy

The most recent match between Germany and Italy (in March) saw the Italians thrashing the Germans 4-1 in a pre-World Cup friendly. In the immediate aftermath of the match, German media and ex-footballers were calling for the sacking of manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

However today, the Germans made it against all odds to kick out Argentina on penalties and will meet the impressive Italy in the first semi finals on Tuesday. Tonight, Klinsmann is a national hero.

Germany has never beaten Italy in the World Cup and the last time they met at this stage (in 1970), Italy defeated the then West Germany 4-3 in extra time. Tuesday's match will be their first World Cup meeting since the 1982 final which Italy won 3-1.

So will it be different this time? The German are playing good football, carrying on their tradition of doing well in tournaments and inexplicably has the good luck in winning penalties.

As for the Italians, they are no pushovers. They are in a 23-match unbeaten run just now and today they totally dismantled Ukraine 3-0.

The Italians have sound defenders and compact midfield. They were missing the first choice central defender Nesta (injury) and his replacement Materazzi (suspension) but their fourth choice Andrea Barzagli did very well alongside captain Cannavaro. They were ably supported by Grosso and Zambrotta, who scored the first goal. And behind them, Buffon stood firm.

I thought both Pirlo and Gattuso had a superb game in the middle of the park. They will surely give the Germans a tough fight.

As for Ukraine, they were hopeless. They ended their World Cup just as they started it against Spain – outplayed, outfoxed and thrashed.

BBC pundit and ex-Celtic manager Martin O’Neil said Ukraine played as though they had a plane ready and waiting to take them back home.

In the second half, they did improve a little but Italy was simply too good for them.

I did not watch the first quarter final between Germany and Argentina as I had to be in London to attend a students’ journalism award ceremony. By the time I reached Sheffield, the match was over. So I missed it all – all the drama, the penalties, Lehmann’s heroics and the handbags and all.

However I was kept up to date by the wife and friends over the phone on the match. When Argentina scored first, I thought they will maintain pressure to win but I suppose with the loud and strong crowd support for the hosts, it was inevitable that they will strike back.

I did manage to catch the match highlights later on and thought Germany was good and clinical. They had progressed well as the tournament goes and have. Their defence, long criticized for being slow, stood firm today and what a goal from Klose, who incidentally has five goals now and looks likely to be the golden boots winner.

As I mentioned earlier, the Germans are showing a true tournament form (as usual), do very well when it comes to penalties, and have been lifted by the outstanding home support. Few thought they had any chance of doing well but here they are, just a game away from the finals.

Before the tournament began, I felt Argentina will do well and they started the tournament with such fire and entertainment value.

Sadly however, even with so many talented players on the team – along with the many so-called new Maradona’s on display – their journey comes to an end at this stage.

Naturally Jose Pekerman has quit as team manager and I was quite puzzled by his decision to take off Riquelme in the 72nd minute. Soon Germany leveled and Argentina had no flair to take the lead again.

And they must be ashamed to be such sore losers, picking a fight with the German bench, showing utter lack of professionalism.