The Germans have never beaten Italy at a major championship, famously losing the 2006 World Cup semi-final on home soil to the eventual victors, but they are favourites to progress this time having won all four matches so far in Poland and Ukraine.
However, they have yet to come up against a midfielder with the class of Pirlo, who has scored or set up all Italy's goals here and produced a wonderful display in the quarter-final with England before scoring the cheekiest of penalties.
"Pirlo's penalty even surprised me," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli told reporters. "Then when he said that he took it like that to put pressure on the English I realised that there is always something to learn from champions like him."
If anyone can stop his raking passes in Warsaw, it is the dynamic Schweinsteiger, who seems to cover every blade of grass and epitomises Germany's youthful yet experienced side of all-round talents.
"Bastian is a world class player and he is a leading player in our team," said playmaker Mesut Ozil. "I hope he can be fit in time for the game."
"GREAT SQUAD"
Italy centre-half Giorgio Chiellini is back in training after missing the England game with a thigh problem and could feature while Prandelli has niggles to Daniele De Rossi and Ignazio Abate to worry about and right-back Christian Maggio's suspension.
"Mario was always in the moves that counted," the coach said while acknowledging Germany were favourites to join Spain and Portugal in the July 1 final in Kiev.
"They are some years ahead of us. After the 2006 World Cup they focused on youth and now they have a great squad."
