Gattuso worried by Germany threat: Destiny not enough for Italy

Jun 28, 2012 4:00:00 PM

The veteran midfielder believes that the likes of Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski underachieve at club level but then become world beaters with Die Mannschaft

Gennaro Gattuso is concerned that Italy's undefeated record against Germany in international tournaments will come to an end in Thursday's Euro 2012 semi-final clash in Warsaw, warning the Azzurri that destiny will not be enough to see them through.

The veteran midfielder was a part of the side that defeated Die Mannschaft in an epic last-four encounter at the 2006 World Cup but has his doubts over whether the current Nazionale can emulate that success.

"This time I'm a little worried, as destiny is not enough." Gattuso told Il Corriere della Sera. "Italy have a chance. But I do not trust the Germans.

"Look at [Mesut] Ozil: at Real [Madrid], he disappointed, but in the national team he's devastating. Or [Lukas] Podolski, who limps around in the league and then, who knows how, becomes a champion.

"And [Manuel] Neuer, who was supposed to be the weak link, has been transformed into one of the strongest goalkeepers in the world."

Still, Gattuso feels that it is Germany who need to figure out how to beat Italy - and not the other way round.

"They should be looking for a way to beat us seeing as they've never done it before," the AC Milan legend reasoned.

"The semi-final in 2006 was supposed to be a passage to Berlin for them but they didn't even take into the account the possibility that we might win."

Gattuso also takes heart from the fact that the man he played alongside that night in Dortmund, Andrea Pirlo, is still pulling the strings in the Azzurri midfield.

"When he turns on his light, everything becomes easier," the 34-year-old argued. "Have you heard the German press conferences? They all agree that their number one mission is to stop Pirlo."

Italy's meeting with Germany will kick off at 20:45CET.

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