Sports

Three Keys: Italy vs. Germany

1. Middle march

Play-making German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been declared ready to go, but watch to see if his turf coverage is limited by an ankle injury. If afforded space, as he was against England, Italian maestro Andrea Pirlo can pick apart any defense.

2. Rest and history

Italy had just three days to recover from a 120-minute quarterfinal and now faces a deep and well-rested German team (five days off) that loves to push the pace. But the Germans may bear the psychic burden of an all-time 0-fer against the Azzurri in tournament play, including a home loss in the 2006 World Cup semis.

3. Shootout sheriffs

If the Italians can force it to a shootout, they should have the edge in net. Veteran Gigi Buffon is no stranger to pressure spots and smothered a key penalty on Sunday. Germany’s towering Manuel Neuer came out on the wrong end of a shootout with Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in May.

Prediction

Germany 1, Italy 0

Italy will be in the game, but it can’t keep up with Germany for the full 90.

Put down Mesut Ozil for his first goal of the tourney late in the second half.

— Jonathan Lehman