Lippi: Germany can overcome loss of Frings

Italy coach Marcello Lippi believes World Cup semi-final opponents Germany will not be hindered by Torsten Frings’ absence.

FIFA decided on the eve of tomorrow’s showdown between the two nations in Dortmund to suspend Frings for one match.

The Werder Bremen midfielder was punished after television images showed him punching Julio Cruz in the face during the brawl in Friday’s quarter-final with Argentina.

“To be honest, it has taken us by surprise,” said Lippi.

“But I think teams that arrive to a semi-final have certain quality and organisation and for that reason they don’t suffer when they don’t have one player available.

“Let’s not forget that we have had to do without several players during this tournament.

“Frings is an important player but I don’t think it will affect Germany’s play or their determination.”

Lippi doesn’t think the Frings’ incident will create more animosity between the two teams, despite claims an Italian TV network had supplied a tape of the brawl to FIFA.

“I can already imagine that there will be 70,000 fans at the stadium and a whole nation supporting their own team,” said Lippi.

“I don’t think this will have anything to do with Frings because we have had nothing to do with this.

“Germany have managed to carry the whole country with their own enthusiasm, something which they hadn’t achieved in a long time.”

Lippi’s team will tackle the Germans for the right to play France or Portugal in next Sunday’s final in Berlin.

The Azzurri are determined to keep their record of having not lost against Germany in a major tournament intact.

“The first thing I told my players after our previous win against Ukraine is that this was only the beginning and not the end,” Lippi added.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground because there is still a way to go.

“We are growing game by game.

“And just like other teams, when you take a positive result you gain confidence in your ability.”

Only four months ago, the Azzurri hammered Germany 4-1 in a warm-up friendly in Florence but Lippi insists tomorrow’s game will bear no relation to that match.

“We will make a big mistake if we think that there’s a big difference between the teams because of that game,” said Lippi.

“Germany had a bad night and we had a good one, that was all.

“They have overcome that blow and have proved to be worthy of being in the semi-finals.”

Lippi will be without Alessandro Nesta, who was unable to complete training on Tuesday due to a problematic muscular injury.

Mauro Camoranesi did return to train having missed the last two sessions due to injury. However, it is unlikely he will start against Germany.