World cup Germany Vs Argentina Preview true test for Joachim Loew Diego Maradona and Messi
Germany is showing Argentina a mixture of respect and disdain ahead of their quarter final match on Saturday at 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. Out of the two, one team will head on to the semi-finals to face the winner of Spain-Paraguay while the other will go down to defeat.
The teams played each other at the 2006 World Cup, with the Germans getting the better of that match by a hair. The teams were tied 1-1 after 120 minutes, sending the game into penalty kicks, where the Germans prevailed 4-2. But after the game the Argentines started a brawl, which left a sour taste in many a German mouth. And it seems the 25-year-old German folder Bastian Schweinsteiger hasn't forgotten, as he ripped into the Argentinian team at a Wednesday press conference.
"The shoot-out is still in our memory, but what really weighs heavily on our minds is what happened after that match," Schweinsteiger said Wednesday. "We have to remain calm and not get provoked and I hope the referee will be very alert."
He further said the team frequently tried to influence the referees dishonestly, pointing to their recent game against Mexico.
"You could see their behaviour at half-time of the game against Mexico. When you look at their body language and gesticulations, they way they try to influence the referees, they have no respect. It's their mentality and character and we'll have to adjust," the German midfielder said.
Schweinsteiger was part of the squad that played in 2006, and while he didn't score against Argentina he went on to play brilliantly in the match for third place, where he scored two goals and created one other, his shot bouncing off a defender for an own goal to lift Germany above Portugal 3-1.
Respect as well
It wasn't all derision aimed at Argentina though. Coach Joachim Loew praised controversial Argentinian coach Diego Maradona as a "genius" in their playing days, although he said he didn't know enough about him personally to judge his coaching methods.
When it came to the Argentinian squad though he had nothing but good things to say about their play, noting that they were quite possible "the favourite" to win the World Cup.
Argentina has looked very solid throughout the Cup, with four consecutive victories and no real threats in any of them. Germany on the other hand has looked hot and cold, with an upset loss to Serbia marring two explosive performances in an otherwise goal starved opening round, as they lit up Australia 4-0 in their tournament opener and then thoroughly dominated the British Lions to win the Group of 16 match 4-1.
If Schweinsteiger insists the worst aspects of the Argentinean team haven't changed much in four years, he'll also admit that they'll be a much tougher task.
"We'll find the right game plan to hurt Argentina, although we know how strong Argentina is. At this level, you can't make mistakes, it's the details that decide the match."
Raucous fans
One thing the Germans will have to deal with is the legendary Argentine travelling squad of fans who cheer their team on at every game, another thing Schweinsteiger takes issue with.
"We have already seen how the Argentine fans sit together in spite of the fact that those are not their proper seats, and they stop other spectators with the correct tickets from enjoying the game," said Schweinsteiger.
Regardless of what he says though, he'll have much more worrisome things to care about on Saturday. The last time the two teams played Argentina took an easy 1-0 victory over the humbled Germans. Even if the Germans may hold a grudge against Argentina, they know as well as anybody just how could their squad is.
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