Argentina v Germany: match preview

Quarter final

Argentina v Germany
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: Sat July 3, 3pm
TV: BBC 1

It could have been the ultimate grudge match had England overcome Germany to face Argentina in Cape Town, but with bitter memories of the Germany 2006 quarter-final in Berlin being evoked, there will still be plenty of animosity to go around at Green Point.

The post-match brawl which marred Germany's penalty shoot-out victory over the Argentines four years ago has provided the backdrop for this renewal of hostilities, with the Germans talking of Argentine aggression and similar jibes from the South American camp.

But on the pitch, it will be German youth against dazzling Argentine flair, Mesut Ozil versus Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain against Miroslav Klose.

Two thoroughbreds battling it out for one place in the semi-final. England could have been here, but their absence will not detract from the occasion.

Touchline duel

Diego Maradona v Joachim Low: Poles apart in their background and temperament, Maradona versus Low is a classic encounter between a star-player-turned-manager and a cerebral coach.

While Maradona was winning World Cups single-handedly (no pun intended) with Argentina, Low's career as an attacking midfielder failed to scale peaks higher than that of a journeyman professional in Freiburg, Frankfurt and other unremarkable German cities.



Low's tactical plan overcame England emphatically in Bloemfontein last week, however, and this game will be a battle between his nous and Maradona's inspiration.

Talking tactics

Neither team is set up to defend, but it will be a case of which team is best equipped to repel the attacking qualities of the opposition.

Both lack pace in central defence, but Germany ruthlessly exposed a similar weakness at the heart of England's back fourin Bloemfontein last week.

Yet while England did not do enough to capitalise on the limitations of Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich, Argentina will surely exploit their deficiencies through the talents of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain.

Key clash

Martin Demichelis v Miroslav Klose: Argentina centre-half Demichelis insisted he would not be allowed to return home if he deals with Klose as poorly as John Terry during England's 4-1 humiliation in Bloemfontein.

But with Demichelis now living in Munich, he will receive a rapturous welcome in Bavaria if Bayern team-mate Klose repeats his second round heroics in Cape Town.

Both men lack pace, but Klose's tenacity and aerial prowess give him the edge against the inconsistent Demichelis.

What they say

Argentina forward Carlos Tevez said: "Why not think I can be a champion?

Every night, I do. I have a hunger for glory so great that I can not imagine the great sadness there would be without the cup. I could not bear to lose on Saturday."

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer: “It won’t be easy against a team packed with superstars like Argentina, but we mustn’t show any weakness. We should perhaps even walk out with a touch of arrogance, especially if it goes to penalties."

Teams

Argentina (4-3-3): Romero; Otamendi, Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze; Maxi, Mascherano, Di Maria; Tevez, Higuain, Messi
Subs: Pozo (g), Rodriguez, Bolatti, Veron, Garce, Samuel, Aguero, Gutierrez, Milito, Palermo, Pastore, Andujar (g). Germany (4-4-1-1): Neuer; Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Boateng; Schweinsteiger, Khedira; Ozil, Podolski; Muller; Klose.Subs: Wiese (g), Butt (g), Aogo, Tasci, Badstuber, Jansen, Trochowski, Kroos, Marin, Kiesling, Gomez.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

Previous Meetings

Played: 18 Argentina 8 wins, Draws 5, Germany 5 wins

1958: (Malmo, WC): Argentina 1 West Germany 3
1966: (Birmingham, WC): West Germany 0 Argentina 0
1973: (Munich, Friendly): West Germany 2 Argentina 3
1977: (Buenos Aires, Friendly): Argentina 1 West Germany 3
1979: (Berlin West, Friendly): West Germany 2 Argentina 1
1980: (Montevideo, Friendly): Argentina 2 West Germany 1
1982: (Buenos Aires, Friendly): Argentina 1 West Germany 1
1984: (Dusseldorf, Friendly): West Germany 1 Argentina 3
1986: (Mexico City, WC): Argentina 3 West Germany 2
1987: (Buenos Aires, Friendly): Argentina 1 West Germany 0
1988: (West Berlin, Friendly): West Germany 1 Argentina 0
1990: (Rome, WC): West Germany 1 Argentina 0
1993: (Miami, Friendly): Argentina 2 Germany 1
2001: (Stuttgart, Friendly): Germany 0 Argentina 1
2005: (Dusseldorf, Friendly): West Germany 2 Argentina 2
2005: (Nuremburg, Confederations Cup): Argentina 2 Germany 2
2006: (Berlin, WC): Germany 1 Argentina 1 (aet, Germany win pens)
2010: (Munich, Friendly): Germany 0 Argentina 1

Fact: Germany are in the quarter-finals for the eighth World Cup in succession.

Prediction: Germany have had nothing to beat so far and Argentina have impressed more. Diego Maradona to march into the semi-finals.


(source: telegraph.co.uk)