Impressive Italy show Germany the way forward

By Barry Whelan Jul 5, 2006, 13:39 GMT

Berlin - Italy will go into the World Cup final on Sunday as favourites after impressively dealing with the hosts Germany in their favourite backyard in Dortmund.

It was a resilient and skilful performance by Marcello Lippi's Azzurri which was rewarded with two late extra-time goals just as the match appeared to be going to penalties.

Lippi learned the lessons of Argentina's quarter-final defeat against the Germans by seeking to take the game forward at all times, and especially in the extra-time period when the hosts may have been hoping fitness levels would tell in their favour.

Italy were never overawed by the hostile crowd in Dortmund or the fact that Germany had never lost there in 14 previous internationals. They were self-assured and ultimately too experienced for a still- developing German side which paid the price for failing to take the few opportunities which came their way.

Lippi now expects his team to lift the World Cup for a fourth time against either Portugal or France in Berlin on Sunday.

Thanks to the late goals by Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero. Italy remain undefeated against Germany in five World Cup matches.

'We haven't reached the end of the road yet. It is important to remember that,' said Lippi. 'It was an end-to-end game and at the finish our players were better quality than the Germans although it was on a razor's edge.'

Italy finally got the better of Germany after Lippi brought on Vincenzo Iaquinta and Del Piero in extra time, while he earlier had sent on Alberto Gilardino for Luca Toni. With Francesco Totti still on, he had four attacking players on the pitch.

'I felt it was necessary to send on Del Piero,' Lippi said. 'When I sent him on, I said to my colleagues on the bench that he would score the decisive goal. I knew he would make an impact.

'I think we dominated the game and in the end we were willing to risk something and that worked out for us. We are all very proud that we have achieved this.'

Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann must now look forward to the third place match in Stuttgart and digest what the defeat means to the team and his own future as coach.

However, Germany have already gone further than even their own fans had hoped after the dismal prospects it seemed to have following Euro 2004's poor showing. Moreover they are playing a brand of football which has won many admirers and contributed to the tremendous World Cup atmosphere throughout the country.

Germany, who were seeking a historic eighth final appearance, have also again proven that they must never be underrated at a major tournament - just as in 2002 when the team under Rudi Voeller surprisingly reached the World Cup final.

'Before the tournament it was maybe our goal to reach the semi- finals, but now there's nothing but disappointment that we're not in the final,' said Klinsmann.

A debate has already started in Germany on Klinsmann' future. German Football Federation president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfleder said Wednesday he would like the coach to sign a new contract.

Klinsmann wants time to consider. 'First we want to finish the tournament. Then I will talk to my wife and I will take a few days to think about things. I will not be pressurised into a quick decision,' he said.

Former Germany coach Franz Beckenbauer who won the World Cup as player and coach and heads the 2006 World Cup organizing committee, said that as far as he was concerned Klinsmann had to stay.

'He has not finished his job yet. He said that he wanted to become world champion and he has not managed that yet. I can't seem him going back to California and not continuing,' he said.