Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo is banking on the Azzurri being able to dictate play against Germany in their Euro 2012 semi-final clash on Thursday.

 

Pirlo was the tempo-setter against England in Italy’s quarter-final and operated with ease in the midfield, stroking ball after ball around the pitch to open up the Three Lions.

 

England failed to get to grips with the 33-year-old Juventus midfielder – and yielded up a number of goalscoring opportunities to the Azzurri in the process.

 

And while Pirlo knows Germany will not sit back as England did, he has still signalled that imposing Italy’s will on Joachim Low’s side is important.

 

"We have watched all of Germany’s matches", said Pirlo at an Italian press conference.

 

"They are a great side with the right mentality, and in the last few years they have been in six semi-finals.

 

"We will try to impose our game on them the way we did on England, although it will definitely be a different match as Germany will try to play openly."

 

Italy will be boosted by history when they face the Germans, as they have never suffered a competitive defeat against the hugely successful teutonic country.

 

Latest Features: