Germany and Argentina have turned up the heat ahead of their eagerly anticipated World Cup quarter-final today, with sparks flying as both sides traded barbs.
The two teams have an intense and long rivalry, with Argentina beating Germany in the 1986 final before losing to them in the 1990 decider. More recently, they met at the same stage in 2006 with Jurgen Klinsmann’s side going through 4-2 on penalties after over-cautious counterpart Jose Pekerman left Lionel Messi on the bench.
That shootout ended in a brawl when the South Americans reacted angrily after Germany’s Jens Lehmann saved Esteban Cambiasso’s spot-kick to confirm victory.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The coaches are different now, but the desire of both teams to get their hands on the World Cup again hasn’t changed. Argentina lifted the trophy in 1978 and 1986, while Germany have won three times, in 1954, 1974 and 1990.
Diego Maradona, who played in the 1986 and 1990 finals, is now coach and he has made it clear revenge is on his mind for the 2006 defeat.
“The players are thinking about going onto the pitch, in getting their revenge,” the former midfield maestro told Fox Sports Argentina.
PHOTO: EPA
He added that they were confident of countering the current German threat, despite them being high on confidence after crushing old enemy England 4-1 in the round-of-16.
“They are stronger [than round-of-16 opponents Mexico], but we will field the right players to beat them,” said Maradona, who is seeking to join Franz Beckenbauer as the only man to have skippered and coached a country to World Cup glory.
Argentina, along with the Netherlands, are the only countries left with a 100 percent record and Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez said they do not fear Germany, who have not failed to reach the quarter-finals since 1938.
“[Germany] won their game and so reached the quarters, but they are not better than Argentina,” he said.
Germany will have German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Green Point Stadium watching the match and coach Joachim Loew is hoping his young team can impress her by riding the wave of beating England.
“There is a very positive feeling in the team. We have gained a lot of confidence from taking a victory against England,” Loew said.
While Argentina have been unbeatable in South Africa, Loew said he had identified weaknesses, without revealing what they were.
“We have found weaknesses in their side, but I will keep that information for my players,” he said.
Several players were in the side that beat Argentina in 2006, including midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who remembers it well.
“What I remember most is what happened after the game, this brawl which had been triggered by the Argentines,” he said, accusing the current side of being “disrespectful.”
“I find that the behavior of the Argentines on the pitch, how they gesticulate and how they try to influence the referee, is disrespectful,” Schweinsteiger said.
Captain Philipp Lahm added fuel to the fire by saying Germany were looking forward to seeing how Argentina cope with losing again.
“We have to focus on the task at hand, we know the Argentines will be a tough game, we need to be cool and it remains to be seen how the South Americans deal with another defeat on Saturday,” he said.
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