Germany captain Michael Ballack admits his team's strength has been sapped after going through extra-time and penalties to defeat Argentina, but promised the prospect of reaching the World Cup final would get the adrenalin pumping against Italy on Tuesday.
BERLIN: Germany captain Michael Ballack admits his team's strength has been sapped after going through extra-time and penalties to defeat Argentina, but promised the prospect of reaching the World Cup final would get the adrenalin pumping against Italy on Tuesday.
Germany take on Italy in Dortmund in the first of the semi-finals with the host nation trying to recharge their batteries for the final push.
"It was a hard slog playing 120 minutes against Argentina but we have had a few days to recharge and can give everything again. There is no problem there," Ballack said at Monday's press conference.
Italy cruised to a 3-0 win over Ukraine in their quarter-final match while several Germany players - including Ballack - went down with severe cramp.
"Everyone is fit and refreshed. Italy did not have as many problems in terms of the result and the length of the game but it is not a problem," said the new Chelsea man.
"It is a long tournamemt - almost six weeks with preparation - but we are all targeting the final and you do not feel tired when you are winning."
Germany are doing just that with five consecutive wins and go into the Italy match full of confidence.
"I can not wait for this match. The team wants to reach the final and we all sense that," said the 29-year-old midfielder.
"We have been good so far and have a lot of confidence. We have been very consistent in every game and that has to continue."
Another reason for German confidence is that the game is being played in Dortmund where Germany have never lost, winning 13 out of their 14 internationals at the venue.
"We have never lost in Dortmund so we can not wait to play there," said defender Philipp Lahm.
"Dortmund is a bit different to the other stadia and it gives us a bit more self-confidence. We scored in the last minute against Poland there to win and would take the same again."
Italy crushed Germany 4-1 the last time the two teams met in Florence on March 1 but Lahm says a lot has changed since then.
"We are now in the World Cup semi-final and you can not compare the atmosphere with after the Italy game in March," said Lahm, sporting a black eye from a training accident.
Along with Lahm, skipper Ballack was in the team that night in Florence and the pair both suffered against Italian opposition at club level too with Bayern Munich receiving a 4-1 mauling from AC Milan in the Champions League.
"We recently lost 4-1 against Italy and lost 4-1 with Bayern against AC Milan in Champions League. It seems we do not have any chance," Ballack joked.
The two defeats give Ballack plenty of incentive to turn over Italy with the the hurt of 2002 -- when he missed the World Cup final through suspension - also driving him on.
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