Germany make two changes, Italy one
Germany make two changes, Italy one
Sebastian Kehl took the place of Frings, while Tim Borowoski came in for midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Dortmund: Juergen Klinsmann made two changes in Germany's starting lineup to replace suspended midfielder Torsten Frings, and defender Marco Materazzi returned for Italy in Tuesday's World Cup semi-final match.

Sebastian Kehl took the place of Frings, while Tim Borowoski came in for midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Schweinsteiger had a below-par performance against Argentina in the quarterfinals, while Borowski, who plays for Werder Bremen, has been strong coming off the bench.

Frings has been one of the key players in helping the Germans to five straight victories at the tournament, but the 29-year-old was banned on Monday after video evidence prompted FIFA to investigate his involvement in a post-match melee with Argentina.

Miroslav Klose, who leads the World Cup with five goals, and captain Michael Ballack were also in Germany's lineup, having been pronounced fit following calf injuries in the Argentina game.

Materazzi was banned from Italy's 3-0 quarter-final win over Ukraine after picking up a red card against Australia.

He is playing in place of the injured Alessandro Nesta, who was sitting out his third straight game with a right thigh problem.

Andrea Barzagli, who replaced Nesta against Ukraine, returned to Italy's bench.

Francesco Totti was at his usual playmaker position behind center forward Luca Toni in Italy's 4-4-1-1 formation.

Midfielder Daniele De Rossi was serving the last game in a four-match ban for elbowing United States forward Brian McBride in the face in the first round.

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