FIFA 2010 World Cup Soccer: The coach factor in Argentina vs. Germany
Coaches from both Germany and Argentina have pumped a great deal of controversy in this years’ World Cup in South Africa. With notorious strategies and statements, Maradona has been a constant topic for the media while on the other hand, the elegant yet dirty, smart but still callous, Joachim Low has managed to receive his share of the buzz as well.
The German coach Joachim Low is no novice in the field despite his young age. He has coached clubs in Turkey and Austria and has been the assistant coach of Germany since 2004. In 2006, he was appointed as the Manager for the German national side and since then, he has been able to produce a steady and consistent performance.
Before his appointment at the national level, Low produced some amazing results with the clubs he had managed and in 2004, despite having a weaker team, the coach managed to impress by producing some good results. Nevertheless, Low’s real claim to fame came in 2006 when he helped the German team qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Back then; this was a big achievement, considering the weak squad in comparison to other teams in the tournament.
Low is just 50 years old and is considered among the elite coaches of the world. His lustrous class and finesse is admired by many. The German is a perfect example of an efficient and vigilant coach. His technique of using technology for training, technical knowledge of football and deep examination of a game are widely known and appreciated.
His enthusiasm for the game is intense to say the least.
Diego Maradona on the other hand is considered amongst the few legendary players in the world who decided to coach their country after he their retirement. Johann Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer are the only other examples that match Maradona’s achievements. Both players proved themselves as great coaches with smart strategies and game plans. However, Maradona still has a long way to go.
There are many things that can be accredited to Maradona. For starters, the Argentinean players disrespected and distrusted him from the start. However, the player has finally established himself as a good close friend.
Lionel Messi confirmed that notion by saying that there were doubts about his capabilities in the beginning, but the coach has proved himself. He also admitted that Maradona’s coaching and guidance has helped him on a personal level as well. To his credit, he has earned the respect of his players which is evident on the field in South Africa 2010.
While there isn’t much to mention on Maradona’s credit sheet for past coaching experiences, but his controversial team motivation, unity and tactical pans seem to be working. His training s are held in secrecy and the media has been strictly banned. A leaked video showed Maradona along with other team officials and players lined-up near the goal post with everyone revealing their back sides as a team striker was ordered to hit them with footballs. He commented on that by saying he was increasing the team’s unity and chemistry.
Apart from managing the Argentine squad, Maradona has coached at the club level for less than two years and one of those experiences came in 1990’s when he coach an Argentine club.
The La Albiceleste went through a dismissive qualification process in which they were defeated by Bolivia 6-0. In the end, only a last minute late goal against Peru gave them the chance to qualify for South Africa 2010. However, in the final stages of the World Cup, Argentina has performed brilliantly. They are undefeated till now and though Maradona has been changing his defensive line against each team, he will have to pick his best squad against Germany.
Defence is Argentina’s weakness and Maradona has just one stable defender. Maradona will probably do something about that but won’t discuss it in media where he usually mocks Joachim Low and Bastian Schweinsteiger along with his long quandary with Pele.
Though Joachim Low will have the advantage in the management area and the German team looks better on paper with an extremely strong midfield, the Messi factor can turn the game around. In the end, it can be assumed that Maradona should have some good strategies in mind for Messi to be at his superhuman form if he wants to beat the impregnable German team.
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