He’s already been dubbed Germany’s “Rolls Reus” by the media, and attacking midfielder Marco Reus is ready to outpace Italy as the countries face off in what should be a classic semi-final at Euro 2012 on Thursday.

Reus has caught the eye not least with his goal on his first start in the competition in the 4-2 quarter-final win over Greece and the 23-year-old Borussia Dortmund-bound star is clearly hell bent on making his presence felt against the Azzurri.

With his spiky, blond haircut and ear-ring, Reus is part of the new crop of rising stars who have achieved pin-up status back in Germany, his industrious showings persuading champions Dortmund to snap him up from Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Quick, technically gifted and with a nose for goal, Reus is very much in the mould of a player much appreciated by coach Joachim Loew, who had no qualms about pitching him in to face the Greeks just seven months after he made his international bow.

His rise to prominence gives a team brimming with youthful enthusiasm and skill yet another option to add to an abundance of midfield possibilities alongside the likes of Mesut Oezil and Thomas Mueller.

Whether Loew will send him into battle from the outset against the wily Italians is not at all certain but Reus says he will take his chance if offered him.

“What counts is the good of the team and the coach will takes, as he always does, the correct decision” Reus insists.

Reus certainly buys into the Germans’ traditional values of high expectations and self-belief.

“Before the tournament, we set ourselves the goal of winning this competition. I think we have raised our game during the competition and the key to success lies in our own hands,” he explains.