ROME _ Argentina soccer great Diego Maradona doesn't think much of the host team at the World Cup, saying the Germans don't have much going for them apart from brawn.

"Germany doesn't know how to play but it's physically strong," Maradona said in an interview on the state-run RAI radio. "They always run, they always get (on the ball)."

But "Germany has shown nothing until now. Even with Argentina, it was down 1-0 and kept staying on the defense."

Germany, which ousted Argentina in a quarterfinal penalty shootout, meets Italy in Dortmund on Tuesday in the semifinals.

Italy should not forget it is a better team than Germany, said Maradona.

"I think if Italy scores a goal, then Germany will be in difficulty because ... the Azzurri defend very well, 10 times better than Argentina," Maradona said. "And if Germany doesn't know how to attack and Italy defends well, then the match is over for sure."

Maradona, a former Napoli player, said now that Argentina is out, he will cheer for Italy.