FIFA World Cup 2010 quarter-final : Argentina V Germany Philipp Lahm says Argentineans are bad losers
Germany’s captain Philipp Lahm further increased the temperature before the quarter-final match against Argentina with his remarks criticizing South Americans. He accused Argentineans of being bad losers. It is seen by pundits as part of mind games just before the last eight match.
A day after Germany’s midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger labelled Argentineans as disrespectful and temperamental, Lahm has accused South Americans of being sore losers. According to Bayern Munich’s full back, Argentineans did not know how to deal with a defeat. “Bastian said what he said. We know South Americans are impulsive and temperamental and cannot lose,” said German captain. He further added, “We will see on Saturday how they will lose and how they will behave after a defeat.”
This rivalry is further fuelled when few Argentinean players called this quarter-final encounter as ‘revenge match’. Argentina lost to Germany in 2006 World Cup quarter finals on penalties. Just at the end of the match, a violent brawl took place which even saw players and coaches of both teams involved in punches and kicks. Both of these countries have long history with each other. They have met in two World Cup finals. Argentina defeated West Germany in 1986 World Cup final, where as Germans were victorious in the final of subsequent event in 1990. Maradona was involved in both of these World Cups. He is also involved in this World Cup but as a coach.
Despite verbal onslaughts from either side, Lahm still believes that Argentina is no pushover and it would require a great effort from his team to overcome two-time world champions. He said, “We have to concentrate on our football only. The South Americans are temperamental, we know that. It is time we beat a top team. Our young team has to show that it can beat a top team like Argentina in 90 minutes.” It is indeed true that if Germany wants to prove its worth in this World Cup, then they have to defeat Argentina. Germany’s young team has been quite impressive so far as they have lost only a single match, and that was against Serbia in group match. Despite that loss, they topped the group and went on to face their arch-rivals England in round of 16. They produced a brilliant performance as they demolished England 4-1. Young German side was the dominant outfit, as weary English side found difficult to hold the ball. The architect of their victory was Bayern Munich’s Thomas Mueller.
After his heroics against England, Mueller has also jumped into verbal frenzy against Argentina. Mueller was bullied by Maradona in their friendly against South Americans before the World Cup.
Mueller, who was virtually unknown before this World Cup, made his debut in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Argentina in March. After the match, he attended the press conference as his country’s great new hope alongside the Argentinean coach Maradona. Maradona snubbed the German as ball boy, and stormed off of the stage. He refused to return until the German was gone. Now Mueller is determined to make sure that Maradona remembers him when both sides meet each other in Erasmia. Talking to reporters, Mueller said, “Now I have won two titles and played in the Champions League with Bayern, so a few things have changed.”
Schweinsteiger started this war of words when he accused Maradona’s men of influencing the referee to gain unfair advantage. Few days ago, he said, “It starts before the match. If you see how they gesticulate, how they try to influence the referee. That is not part of the game. That is lack of respect. They just are like that.”
It would be interesting to see how things turn out when these sides go head to head in Erasmia. Maradona has so far wronged his critics through brilliant performance from his team. Germany has also surprised the football world when its young team overcame England in 2nd round. On thing is certain, it will be nothing less than explosive.
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