Germany, Italy team reporters took your questions

As preparations for the second semi-final continue, UEFA.com gave you the opportunity to leave your questions for our Germany and Italy team reporters.

Richard Aikman and Steffen Potter have followed Italy and Germany respectively throughout UEFA EURO 2012 and answered your questions in the match preview.

Mur: Will Motta play?

Richard Aikman, Italy team reporter: After doing so well against England, with the exception of his penalty miss, I think that Riccardo Montolivo will play. The only way Thiago Motto will play is if Daniele De Rossi is deemed unfit, but even then I think Antonio Nocerino will stand a better chance of getting on.

Amit Dashore: Why do teams not play their best in the knockout stage?

Steffen Potter, Germany team reporter: It might be because they tend to become more cautious at that stage. Conceding a goal means that you have to attack more, thus opening up space for the other team to break into. This may decide the match, so all teams are careful not to concede first.

Richard Aikman, Italy team reporter: Some teams find it harder to get in their groove in the knockout stage because there is more pressure on them to perform. A bad performance means they will be going home. That said, some teams play better under pressure, and I feel that Italy are one of them ... though it took penalties to get past England, they were far superior on the night. Germany, traditionally speaking, tend to rise to the occasion in the knockout stages, too.

JoshHoughton: Will Gomez or Klose play?

Steffen Potter, Germany team reporter: Most of the German press think it's going to be Klose. I agree, though it could very well be Gomez as well. Tough one to call.

They replied to as many questions as possible and their full answers can be found here.