Never-say-die attitude could be crucial, says Gerard Pique

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The Spanish defender has been impressed with Germany's form on the way to the last four in defeating England 4-1 and then Argentina 4-0 in back-to-back games.

But former Manchester United man Pique believes the European champions' never-say-die attitude could be crucial.

Pique, who now plays for Barcelona, said: "I feel so happy for the team and the country.

"It is the first time we are in the semi-finals and it is great to make history.

"Germany are a very difficult team, really strong, with a lot of quality, a lot of good players, and it will be difficult to stop them.

"I don't know why they are so impressive. Maybe it is because they have a lot of new young players.

"The likes of Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Sami Khedira are new in the team and they are playing great.

"Some were playing for their under-21s last summer and they have made the step up."

But Pique also claimed: "I think when you are at the semi-final stage, there are no favourites.

"It is true because they beat England 4-1 and Argentina 4-0 that they will be in a really good mood.

"But we will see what happens when we meet them. We never have any doubts about ourselves. We always play the same way, the results are good and we have to be confident with our play."

Spain overcame Germany 1-0 in the 2008 European Championship final in Vienna but Pique believes that will have little bearing on their next meeting.

He said: "Germany and Spain both have new players in the team and it will be a different game to two years ago.

"We will always keep going. That is the sort of team we are.

"In a World Cup, everything is difficult and sometimes you have to score near the end to win.

"That is what we did against Paraguay on Saturday in the quarter-finals.

"You cannot choose when you score and you have to defend as well."