Intro:

German coach Joachim Loew insists his team can break their losing streak against Italy in the semi-final of Euro 2012.

The Italians have an overall head-to-head record of 14-7 in the matches played between the two nations.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (German), Joachim Loew, German head coach.
"What will be decisive is that we will play our game, we will bring in our strengths, we will try to have our rhythm and we will not let Italy show us how we have to play. So it's a

confidence thing - we have to be cheeky, we have to be strong and brave - but we must also be very concentrated, strong and brave and we must work hard."

SOUNDBITE: (German), Joachim Loew (on game in World Cup semi final in 2006):
"But even the preparation for us coaches that plays a big role - we can look at who played for Italy then and who played for our team. But for the generation of today, it doesn't

really have any relevance - these players weren't there, a lot of these players weren't there and they know this game back out of history but it doesn't have any influence on our

preparations for today."

SOUNDBITE: (German), Bastian Schweinsteiger, German midfielder.
"That's just how it is. The only thing that matters is the match tomorrow and what we can do as a team. That is my complete concentration - you are very focussed on that. So we

have got to do the next step tomorrow and we have to win the game."

SOUNDBITE: (German), Bastian Schweinsteiger, German midfielder.
"I personally like the way that Pirlo plays but he is 34 years old you've got to say that. But what he has been doing in this tournament - that is quite something, it is fantastic, it is

really good to watch. But there is also a way to stop him - but he is that one player that I like the best."