As both the European giants prepare to secure a place in the final by battling against each other, it is time to shed some light on key players for both the outfits who have the capability to change the course of this semi-final
in question at the 2012 European Championships...
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mats-Hummels-c24767
The German centre back has been one of the highlights of the tournament so far. His partner Badstuber has been impressive but it has been Hummels who has taken the headlines with performances that have inspired some to compare
him to German’s finest defender ever, Franz Beckenbauer. It would be appropriate to consider Hummels in his own light rather than compare him to
Der Kaiser. Hummels has been a fresh breath of air in a world of football where centre backs are increasing becoming one –dimensional. Players such as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nemanja-Vidic-c27550 have taken the centre back stereotype back to its old
roots with players who play in central defence being characterized by their last ditch tackles and physical ability to maintain an aura of invincibility around them.
With Hummels, we get something of a hybrid. There is no denying that the German centre back is physically blessed but his real identity is born when he has the ball at his field. One can mistake him for a central midfielder but
Hummels has been impressive for Germany so far in central defence. His calmness at the back coupled with the confidence that he inspires in his younger partner, Badstuber will be essential for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 when they take on Italy in the semi-final.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gianluigi-Buffon-c14833
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926’s captain has been going through somewhat of a renaissance with the former FIFA World Cup winners at the European Championships this time around. After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Buffon had established himself as the numero
uno goalkeeper in the world without a shadow of a doubt. However that reputation depreciated a bit in the aftermath of the tournament as Juventus, his club side, failed to do well in the UEFA Champions League as well as the Serie A. Last season, Buffon led
Juventus to an unbeaten campaign in the Serie A as the Bianconeri captured yet another league title. At the European Championships, Buffon has been in his full flow. The Italian goalkeeper has masterfully organized his defence and against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 he pulled
of an impressive save in the first half from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Glen-Johnson-c15050 to keep his team on parity with the Three Lions.
Not only that, the Juventus goalkeeper was also assured whilst dealing with crosses into the box and in the ensuing penalty shootout Buffon was once again impervious as he saved from Ashley Cole’s penalty to send his team through
to the semi-finals of the European Championships. Germany will test Buffon in the semi-final encounter but Italy’s captain will be a favourite to hold his own and it is his form that will play a large role in how the FIFA 2006 World Cup winners fare against
their old European rivals considering that there is a place in the final of the competition at stake.
In the second part of this article, we will take a look at Ozil’s importance to Germany and what role might Pirlo play for Italy in their semi-final tie against the Germans...
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