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Dino Zoff believes Italy have a great chance of beating Germany in their upcoming Euro 2012 semi-final clash, Goal.com reported.

“Italy have a great chance to progress further at this tournament," Zoff was quoted as saying on bundesliga.de. "Germany will have to watch out. The Azzurri are a strong inventive side. They can cause anybody problems, as they showed clearly once more against England.

“Germany are a well-balanced team with no weaknesses. Mario Gomez has impressed me so far. He’s a great player.

“They’ve delivered positive performances throughout. The only exception in my opinion was the game against Portugal. They came under more pressure there than against their other opponents.”

And the former Juventus keeper believes the experience of Gianluigi Buffon will be key to his nation's fortunes at Euro 2012 and has backed the consistent selection of temperamental striker Mario Balotelli.

"Buffon, the goalkeeper and captain, all his experience came to the fore in the penalty shoot-out against England," Zoff added.

"Those are the moments when the whole team’s fate rests on the goalkeeper’s shoulders. But Buffon knows what it means to take responsibility.”