"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."