Thierry Henry
Former France international on BBC One

I think the change is Mario Gomez playing inside. Germany look more balanced. It’s very important to have a striker.

Italy are their bogey team but Germany always find a way, like Italy do. It’s a 50-50 one for me. I said the same before Italy v Spain.

I was writing him off before the Euros began but Mario Gomez has been performing yet again for Germany. If he scores tonight he would become the first ever player to score more than three times in consecutive Euros.

He's out on the turf, as are the rest of his side, booting the ball about as the evening sun turns orange.

Gianluca Vialli
Former Italy striker on BBC One

I am very proud of what we have achieved so far, we have a great manager who has inspired a team. We have revolutionised the way Italian football is perceived around the world. 

We have entertained. Now we face the world champions, the number one side and they may be a mountain too high to climb.

Here's our very own try at tempting fate:

Despite being the eighth top scorer in World Cup history (10 goals in 13 games), for some reason it doesn't quite click for Thomas Muller in the European Championship.

The Bayern Munich forward has played nine times - five at Euro 2012, and every minute so far in France, without netting... 

Image source, .

Lose tonight and the Italians will never trust an aubergine again.

Raphael Honigstein
European football journalist on BBC Radio 5 live

Germany are untested, they haven't been asked any questions yet. How solid are they? We don't know yet. Joachim Low is influenced by how Pep Guardiola plays, he plays high up the pitch and makes the pitch small.

I've got pretty much the same feeling, Nathan. But the longer it goes on the more it plays into Italy's hands? 

Mr Gilchrist: The first rule of football: you do not bet against the Germans. The second rule: you do not bet against the Germans

Nathan Price: Almost time for a Saturday night treat - thinking Italy might be able to hold Germany but could be a long one...

Sully: It's time. For the big one. Put your minnows away. Put them all away. The big boys are in town. The true heavyweights.  

BBC One

A quick reminder: Coverage is getting under way on BBC One right about now, and if you're reading this in the UK, you can also watch using the Live tab at the top of this page.

Raphael Honigstein
European football journalist on BBC Radio 5 live

Both sides are littered with players on a booking. But you cannot pull out of a tackle that you have to make and neither side will. You have to look at Michael Ballack in the 2002 World Cup semi-final, he had to foul and he knew he would miss the final. He still did.

I expect both teams to be careful, it will be cagey and I don't expect a winner in the first 90 minutes. 

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Bordeaux

This is arguably the most eagerly awaited game of Euro 2016 - a meeting of two of the game's superpowers Germany and Italy.

World champions Germany have looked ominous so far while Italy's brilliance against Belgium and Spain has made them the tournaments most impressive team.

This is a match-up that would have graced the final and if it matches the expectation we are in for a treat here in Bordeaux.

We all know Italian footballers are masters of the 'dark arts' when it comes to 'tactical' fouls...

As a result 11 of them are one yellow card away from missing the semi-final against France or Iceland.

Among them are goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon, their three first-choice central defenders and their two-goal top scorer Graziano Pelle.

If Italy do win and none of those players are booked, they can breath a sigh of relief as all bookings are forgotten for the semi-final.

Image source, .

Germany have five players walking the proverbial disciplinary tightrope - Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich and Mesut Ozil.

Raphael Honigstein
European football journalist on BBC Radio 5 live

There is something about this Wales team, the way they play for each other, that has captured imagination right across Europe.

It even kept the start of the Tour de France off the front pages of the newspapers in France.

Tonight sees Buffon make his 161st appearance for Italy.

And the last time Neuer conceded in a competitive international was in the 2014 World Cup semi-final against Brazil. Chelsea's Oscar got it.

Not a problem when you score seven...

Image source, Getty Images

Germany switch to three at the back to match up with Italy. A gamble but will it prove to be the right call?

The one change sees Benedikt Howedes come in at the back with Julian Draxler dropping out.

Image source, .

Italy also make just the one change. Out goes the injured Daniele de Rossi, in comes Juventus midfielder Stefano Sturaro. 

Image source, .

You'd really struggle for a tougher potential run to the final than Italy's. 

They've already beaten holders Spain, 2-0 in the last-16. 

Today, it's Germany, and if France beat Iceland on Sunday, they'd face the tournament hosts in Thursday's semi-final. 

And then it's Wales...

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal and England defender on 5 live

I'd be more appreciated in the Italy defence. They get stuck in, nobody gets past them. But they can play too.

Italy are real students of the game, they don't get pulled around much. Leonardo Bonucci is the lieutenant of the defence.

James: Germany v Italy - the unstoppable force meets the immovable object.

BBC Monitoring

"Italian football to Germans is like kryptonite to Superman" says Corriere Della Sera, external, before contrasting the two nations' differing characteristics; tactical, physiological, and even philosophical ("stiff Germany as opposed to versatile Italy").

But, Italian Coach Antonio Conte has said Germany are "the stronger team at this time, due to their technique, talent, physicality, principles and organisation" La Stampa, external reports. "They are the most complete team in the world" he added.

The Italian team will wear black armbands during the match in memory of victims of the attack in Bangladesh, of which at least nine were Italian.

Image source, Corriere dello Sport