Mesut Ozil called for focus ahead of Germany's Euro 2012 semi-final clash against their jinx side Italy on Thursday.
Midfielder urges caution against their old rivals Italy
Mesut Ozil called for focus ahead of Germany's Euro 2012 semi-final clash against their jinx side Italy on Thursday.
The Real Madrid midfielder has played down talk of a 'dream final' between Germany and Spain on Sunday in the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.
Ozil is aware that history is against a repeat of the Euro 2008 final when Fernando Torres scored the only goal as Spain were crowned kings of Europe.
Germany have never beaten Italy in seven tournament meetings while Spain, for their part, are not expecting an easy ride against Portugal, causing Ozil to warn his team-mates against complacency.
'Dream final'
"It would be wrong for me to say Germany against Spain would be a 'dream final'," the midfielder said.
"There are four teams in the semi-finals and we need to make the next step, which also applies to Spain.
"We're fully concentrated on Italy and Italy only, and only then will we see who we play against. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter, does it? Whether it's Spain or Portugal.
"Italy are very strong, they are technically superbly organised. If we play to our full potential then we'll come up winners."
The Germans eased into the semi-finals with a 4-2 thumping of Greece on Friday - two days before Italy played their stamina-sapping two-hour draw with England before winning on penalties.
But Ozil was quick to put a stop to any talk of the Italians not being well prepared for the game.
"The Italians will have enough of a break," he added. "They are the surprise package of the tournament.
"Even against the reigning world champions, Spain, they had a fantastic game in the group stages. They're absolutely rightly there where they belong."
