Germany against Italy in the past would be a match between two very organised and disciplined sides with great authority in defense and not too much going forward.
How the times have changed. In Warsaw on Thursday, Germany will take on Italy in the semi-finals of Euro 2012, with both teams as enterprising as any in the world.
Germany have easily been the best side in the tournament, their fast-paced game also making them the most entertaining. Italy have surprised everyone by throwing their Catenaccio style away and under the astute Cesare Prandelli, have shown they can play with the ball on their feet.
The most interesting contest on the pitch will be the one between Bastian Schweinsteiger and Andrea Pirlo. Schweinsteiger and Pirlo have been the best players in the tournament so far, eclipsing the masterful Xavi, the man who had made the deep lying creative midfield position his own.
Pirlo was simply magnificent against England. In a match of attrition, the 32-year-old looked like he was playing a completely different game from the other 21 players on the field. Unwanted at AC Milan, Pirlo guided Juventus to the Italian Serie A title and in the process going unbeaten the whole season. That form has been carried into the international stage with the classy playmaker picking passes and spraying the ball around at will and most opponents looking powerless to stop it.
Schweinsteiger is Germany's focal point. The man they look to start the attacks for their side. He has been struggling with an ankle injury throughout the tournament, and was not at his best against Greece in the quarters. But that should not worry Germany coach Joachim Low too much. At his best, Schweinsteiger can be up there with some of the best in the world in his role and it will be interesting to see who has a better game - Pirlo or Schweinsteiger. The winner of that battle will definitely dominate the game and with it, most probably, the result.
Germany and Italy are not just about those two players though. In Mesut Ozil, Germany have their No 10, who can create a chance out of nothing. Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller, both of whom are expected to return after being rested against Greece, are extremely dangerous on the wings while Mario Gomez will look to add to the three goals he has already scored in the tournament.
The German defense has been like a brick wall and Italy will need to be at their creative best to get the better of Mats Hummels and Holger Badstuber.
You never know what you are going to get from Mario Balotelli. Italy will be hoping the mercurial forwards showcases his talents rather than his temper, while Antonio Cassano is due a match-winning performance.
Germany are the favorites to go through, not just against Italy, but probably against Spain as well. There is a lot of pressure on Low to turn this young Germany team from the nearly-there side to winners. The first of two monumental steps begins against the Italians, who will be hoping Pirlo weaves his magic wand yet again and casts a spell on all around him.