Italy - Germany Thoughts

Watching Italy play Germany in the semi-finals will be a bit like watching a highly rated mid-major team play a traditional powerhouse in the NCAA tournament. Not that Italy is the international soccer equivalent of a mid-major, but the Azzurri have played a bit of a mid-major schedule of late. We don't know quite how they will stack up against the big boys.

While Germany trounced Sweeden and then came from behind to knock out Argentina, the Italians struggled mightily against Australia and then beat the daylights out of an impotent Ukraine squad. In the end, both Italy and Germany got the wins and advanced, but it's hard to say that Italy has been tested like Germany has.

Unlike Germany, Italy has never trailed in this tournament, never been forced to play from behind. It will be interesting to see how the Italians respond should they dig themselves a hole this afternoon against one of the world's powerhouses.