Ballack and Klose, Germany's Guns against Italy at the World Cup

Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose, keys to Germany's success at the World Cup.

How would Germany fare without captain Michael Ballack and goal-minded Miroslav Klose? The host nation hopes it won’t have to find out in its World Cup semifinal against Italy.

Ballack and Klose both cramped up during Germany’s quarterfinal win over Argentina. Klose was substituted out after scoring a late equalizer, while Ballack played through extra time and took one of the decisive penalties.

That match was Friday and the Germans don’t have much time to recover before Tuesday's semifinal in Dortmund.

''They are getting physiotherapy and both will be fit and able to play,'' assistant coach Joachim Loew said Sunday of Ballack and Klose.

Klose had a bruised calf and Ballack limped at the end of regulation and throughout the extra time, getting treatment on his calf several times on the sidelines. Ballack entered the tournament with a calf injury and did not play in Germany’s opening match against Costa Rica.

He then missed some training with an ankle injury that also bothered him before the World Cup.

He's loomed large in the German midfield, getting back to clear balls defensively while also directing the attack. Klose has scored five of Germany’s 11 goals and leads the tournament.

It would be a huge setback if either misses Tuesday’s semifinal.

The semifinal match between two three-time winners has the potential to be a World Cup classic, but Loew warned against too high expectations, saying both teams would be cautious, much as Argentina and Germany played Friday.

''Italy has been playing the same way for 60 years, it won't give up that philosophy now,'' Loew said. ''They wait for their chance, they are patient.''

Germany has never beaten Italy in four FIFA World Cup matches. The last time they played in the tournament was the 1982 final, which Italy won 3-1. An omen perhaps?

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