在世界盃的比賽中，東道主德國從來沒有贏過意大利。四個月前，意大利製造了克林斯曼執教生涯中的最大一次失利。
在後來的歐洲冠軍盃中，AC米蘭和尤文圖斯送走了拜仁慕尼黑和不來梅,意大利繼續保持著對德國優異的戰績。
意大利的最近一次失敗要追述到2004年10月，斯洛文尼亞在世界盃資格賽中擊敗意大利，在此後的23場比賽中，意大利從沒有嘗過失利的滋味。
這就是為什麼昨天巴拉克認為“所有的可能性都對我們不利。”
巴拉克説：“他們是一個非常強大的對手，不久前，他們曾輕鬆地贏過我們。他們控制著我們，俱樂部也是如此。”
“事實上，我們沒有任何機會，每個方面都對我們不利，並都有利與他們。”
“他們的開局並不太好，但他們堅持自己的打法，並順利地晉級下一輪比賽。他們對烏克蘭的勝利讓人記憶深刻。”
巴拉克腿部的小傷已經完全恢復，但巴拉克認為：“贏取這場比賽比對陣阿根廷時還要困難，我們的希望全部寄託于球迷。”
德國隊在多特蒙德維斯特法倫體育場的14場比賽取得過13場勝利。3個星期前，德國隊在傷停補時階段依靠諾伊維爾的入球1-0擊敗波蘭。
“球迷將像一堵墻一樣站在我們身後支持我們，直到最後一秒鐘。我們處在最好的狀態，我們想知道這是否已經讓我們足以贏取這場比賽。我們非常自信，這個球隊對這場比賽如饑似渴。”
藍衣軍團在重大比賽中從沒有輸給過德國，對此，托蒂説道：“我們確信我們各個方面已調整到最佳狀態，我們完全有可能戰勝德國。”
“我們的目標是再次書寫和德國的對抗史。以前的比賽已經留下了深刻的印記，我們想增添新的一頁，也許是最為難忘的一次。”
“在德國隊的福地戰勝他們是莫大的榮譽，這是一個極其困難的挑戰，但並非沒有可能。”
讓裏皮擔心的是內斯塔的傷勢，希望不要到星期二才確認內斯塔能否出戰德國。這名經驗豐富的後衛小組賽時肌肉拉傷，錯過了與烏克蘭的比賽。
此外，也有讓裏皮高興的好消息，馬特拉奇遭停賽懲罰後，將回到出場陣容。毛羅 卡莫拉內西上一輪比賽撞傷大腿後，兩天前也可以隨隊訓練。
目前，德羅西是意大利隊內唯一被繼續禁賽的球員。
鏈結：http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=191978&cc=5739
原文：Updated: July 3, 2006, 3:37 PM UK
Germany v Italy: Preview
Germany skipper Michael Ballack has declared Italy favourites to win the semi-final clash in Dortmund but hopes the frenetic home support can help his country through.
The tournament hosts have never beaten Italy in a World Cup match, and it is just four months since the Azzurri handed Jurgen Klinsmann the worst defeat of his coaching career.
The 4-1 crushing in Florence spelled the low point of the Klinsmann area, with AC Milan and Juventus later underlining Italian dominance over Germany by seeing off Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen in the Champions League.
Italy have not tasted defeat in any of their last 23 matches as their last loss dates back to October 2004 when Slovenia edged them in a World Cup qualifier.
That is why Ballack believes ``all odds will be against us'' tomorrow.
``They are a very strong opponent with a long streak and they have beaten us comfortably not a long time ago,'' Ballack stated. ``They dominated us, also on club level. Not long ago we lost 4-1 with the national team and also with Bayern Munich (in the Champions League).''
However, the 29-year-old carried a cheeky smile on his face while downplaying his country's chances following five wins in as many matches.
``Actually, we have no chance,'' he added. ``Everything speaks against us, everything favours them.''
He was full of praise for the Italian team.
``They have had a rough start to the tournament but they stuck to their system and it has always been enough to advance to the next round,'' he added. ``Their win over the Ukraine was very impressive.''
Germany come off an epic shoot-out victory over tournament favourites Argentina, but Ballack, who said he has fully recovered from minor calf problems, believes tomorrow's match will be much more difficult than the quarter-final.
``Our chances are much worse than against Argentina and our hopes rest on the crowd.''
Germany have won 13 of 14 matches in Dortmund's gigantic stadium, boasting an impressive goal difference of 59-7.
They got a first taste of the boisterous atmosphere three weeks ago when they defeated Poland 1-0 through an injury-time winner from Oliver Neuville.
``The crowd will be behind us like a wall and support us until the very last minute,'' Ballack stated. ``We are in great shape. We'll see whether that will be enough or not. We have a lot of self-confidence, the team is very hungry.''
Torsten Frings is currently being investigated by FIFA over his involvement in the post-match brawl with Argentina, but Klinsmann expects his influential holding midfielder to be available.
Tim Borowski is likely to be called should Frings be suspended.
Italy go into the showdown against red-hot hosts Germany claiming they could not have asked for better opponents in a World Cup semi-final.
Klinsmann's team have improved with each match and in the quarter-final they overcame Argentina, one of the tournament favourites.
The game finished 1-1 at the end of extra-time and the Germans won on penalties.
The Azzurri have never lost to Germany in a major tournament, however, and only four months ago, they hammered them 4-1 in a warm-up friendly in Florence.
``We are convinced our heads and our hearts are in the right place and we are in the best possible condition to make it happen,'' Italy playmaker Francesco Totti said.
``Our intention is to write another page in this duel [with Germany].
``The games of the past have left a mark and we want to write another page, perhaps the most memorable one of all.''
Germany are playing at home and in a city that has proved a lucky charm for the national team.
They have yet to lose in Dortmund, having won 13 of their 14 international games there.
``To beat Germany on their own turf would be the maximum,'' Totti said.
``It's a difficult challenge, but not an impossible one.''
Marcello Lippi is not expecting to find out until Tuesday if Alessandro Nesta will be fit to play against Germany.
The experienced defender has struggled with a muscular injury since the start of the tournament and missed the clash against Ukraine.
The good news for Lippi is that Materazzi will return from suspension and is set to partner captain Fabio Cannavaro at the heart of the Italian defence, should Nesta be ruled out.
Lippi expects to welcome back Juventus midfielder Mauro Camoranesi, who been unable to train for the past two days after picking up a knock in his thigh in their previous round game.
Daniele De Rossi is the only player out of the game as he continues to serve his suspension for an elbow on USA striker Brian McBride.
作者--楊瓊華
責編：佟杉杉