Mats Hummels highlights the threat of Italy's players

Germany defender Mats Hummels has pinpointed several threats in the Italy team ahead of the two sides' Euro 2012 semi-final.

Hummels has urged his teammates to play intelligently and has highlighted the strikers and creative midfielders as the players to keep a close eye on.

In quotes picked up by dfb.de, Hummels said: "We must play as intelligently as possible, with the whole team putting pressure on their creative midfielders, denying them the space they want.

"There is no doubt that [Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano] are top-class strikers.

"In [midfield] they have superb technicians who also track back and defend. Andrea Pirlo, especially, will be a key player to watch."

Germany take on Italy on Thursday in Warsaw.