Germany eliminated Argentina 4-2 on penalties on Friday -- after the match finished 1-1 after extra-time -- and Bierhoff believes their next opponents will be gripped by fear.

"To win five games in a row is fantastic but winning the title is the main thing," Bierhoff said at Saturday's press conference.

"Germany fans and those around the world have seen that Germany are up there with the best.

"Italy are a tough opponent but they will be afraid of Germany."

Italy crushed Germany 4-1 in Florence the last time the two teams met in March for a friendly and there were even calls for manager Jurgen Klinsmann's head.

Bierhoff, scorer of the first ever golden goal in Germany's Euro 96 final win, remembers that game well.

"Everyone wanted to send Jurgen Klinsmann home after that defeat," Bierhoff admitted.

"We remember the 4-1 and we need to be very concentrated for sure. We were surprised in the first minutes of the game.

"Perhaps this was a good development for the team. But it is forgotten now."

Italy scored twice in the first seven minutes as Germany's defence fell apart and the match was labelled 'the Florence fiasco'.

But this time Germany have home advantage and Bierhoff revealed he and Klinsmann would use their Italy experiences for the game.

Bierhoff played for Udinese and AC Milan during his career while Klinsmann played for city rivals Inter Milan.

Klinsmann also enjoyed his finest hour on Italian soil lifting the 1990 World Cup with West Germany in Rome.

"It is an advantage that Jurgen and I know about Italy a bit. We will call upon that experience.

"Italy are dark horses for the title. They are tactically very good and have been effective rather than spectacular.

"They take their chances and it will be difficult for us."

Italy defeated Ukraine 3-0 in their quarterfinal on Friday.

However Germany will start the match as favourites as they bid to add to three World Cup crowns.

Bierhoff said it was difficult to compare the 2006 generation with the victorious teams from 1954, 1974 and 1990 as they had not won the title yet.

"If we win the title then we can compare this team with other German teams," Bierhoff explained.

"The development of the young players -- many at their first major tournament -- is simply fantastic. They keep getting better and better.

"The coach told them after the Argentina game that they had achieved something great but still needed to beat two top teams."

Emotions were out of control after the Argentina win but Bierhoff - involved in a post match melee as players scuffled with one another -- laid the blame firmly at Argentina's door.

"It is a shame that a football fest where fans celebrate together was spoiled yesterday," he said.

"The fiery temperament of the Argentines is well known to me. Per Mertesacker got kicked and I think you could see that in the newspapers.

"FIFA have our side of the story already -- if they need it."

Pictures showed Argentine substitute Leandro Cufre kicking Mertesacker in the thigh and he recieved a red card from referee Lubos Michel.