Germany defender Jerome Boateng has played down his prospects of being named Euro 2016's player of the tournament but said he is ready to face Italy on Saturday.
Boateng, 27, has excelled at the European Championship even as Germany made a slow start, and his form could be key as Joachim Low's men seek a first ever competitive victory over Italy in Saturday's quarterfinal in Bordeaux (9 p.m. CET/3 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
However, asked at a news conference about his chances of being named the best player of the summer, he said: "The attacking players score goals. They will always be in the spotlight.
"Of course, it could happen that a defender is elected player of the tournament, but that's just not that important. It's important we advance."
Boateng had been a doubt for the Italy game with a calf problem, but he said he fully expects to be fit and is not concerned about the prospect of receiving a booking on Saturday, which would result in a one-match suspension.
"I won't think about my yellow card, and I will go where I always go," he said.
Boateng also stressed that he is not concerned by Germany's failure to beat Italy in any of their eight meetings at a World Cup or European Championship, saying: "I don't worry about Italy day and night. There are worse things."
Germany midfielder Toni Kroos, who was part of the side that lost 2-1 to Italy in the semifinals at Euro 2012, also rejected suggestions of any mental scars against the Azzurri.
"Why should I have an Italy trauma? Explain that to me," Kroos said. "I've only ever met them once at a tournament."
The Real Madrid man said he had been surprised by Italy's 2-0 win over Spain in the round of 16 -- "especially with the manner in which they beat them" -- but is confident of success.
"It's important to beat them so the tournament continues for us," he said. "Our record against Italy does not matter. We can't change that which is in the past.
"They will be our strongest opponents in this tournament until now, and I am excited about it.
"We know how the Italians play. They play with a three-man defence, which turns into a five-man defence when they defend. They are incredibly compact, and calmly build up the play from the back. They've been doing it for ages, and maybe that's why it was never that easy.
"Let's see which tactic we'll use to try and beat them. I am optimistic."
Germany won the last meeting between the two sides, beating Antonio Conte's side 4-1 in a friendly in March, and Kroos said: "I believe they will field a similar team, just looking at the names. Sure, [Giorgio] Chiellini didn't play in March, but otherwise...
"But as to whether Saturday's match will have anything to do with that match, I doubt it. We are playing a Euro quarterfinal. That's just different."
Germany have one advantage in that Sami Khedira currently plays alongside six members of the Italy squad at Juventus.
Kroos said Khedira would speak to coach Joachim Low and "that might go into the preparations," adding: "It can be useful, but of course we have all played the Italians in the past.
"Bayern only this season played Juventus in Champions League. It's not like they are a completely unknown side. It's important how we play against their strengths."
Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff, meanwhile, backed Thomas Muller despite the Bayern Munich forward's failure to score at Euro 2016.
"I don't have any worries about Thomas Muller," he said. "He's extremely positive. He doesn't think his role is only about scoring goals."
Bierhoff, who scored both goals as Germany beat Czech Republic 2-1 in the Euro 96 final, added: "It's about time to write new history with those players."