After back-to-back goalless draws, we’ll be hoping for a little more entertainment tonight as Germany square up to Italy for the right to meet Spain in Sunday’s final. As always, we’ve opened up the Dugout Discussion ahead of this evening’s match.:
The team news is now in and is as follows:
Joachim Low makes three changes from the side that defeated Greece 4-2. Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez both return after being dropped, though the inclusion of Toni Kroos in the starting XI is something of a surprise. Andre Schurrle, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus all drop to the bench as a result.
Cesare Prandelli makes a single alteration to his starting XI. Giorgio Chiellini is fit after a thigh injury and returns to the side at left-back – this means Federico Balzaretti shifts over to the opposite flank in the back-four, with Ignazio Abate the man to lose his place.
Germany XI: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Kroos, Özil, Podolski; Gomez
Italy XI: Buffon; Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Marchisio, Pirlo, De Rossi; Montolivo; Balotelli,Cassano.
