“The Hand of God now belongs to me. Mine is the real Hand Of God,” said Suárez.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Quarter Final match between Uruguay and Ghana at the Soccer City stadium on July 2, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Quote Of the Day: Luis Suarez
“The Hand of God now belongs to me. Mine is the real Hand Of God,” said Suárez.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Quarter Final match between Uruguay and Ghana at the Soccer City stadium on July 2, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
spainish players celebrations after 83rd minute goal
With seven minutes left Spain finally produced a goal worthy of their lofty reputation when Iniesta went on a fantastic run and set up Pedro whose shot hit the post, with Villa reacting instinctively to fire it in off the other upright.
MATCH SUMMARY: Paraguay 0 - 1 Spain
MATCH SUMMARY
Paraguay 0 - 1 Spain
David Villa struck his fifth goal of the finals to send the perennial underachievers into the last four of the World Cup for the first time.
It was tough on Paraguay who had matched the European champions for much of the game - and though this has been a World Cup of shocks, the needle would have gone off the Richter scale if the South Americans had triumphed.Spain now face Germany in the semi-finals - not since 1950, where they were part of a four-team final group, have they had such an opportunity to reach the final itself.Both sides contrived to miss penalties before Villa came up trumps after Andres Iniesta had carved out an opening for Pedro, who hit the post with his new Barcelona team-mate producing the perfect follow up.Until then, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino, who made no fewer than six changes from the side that scraped past Japan on penalties, had got his tactics just right. Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque kept faith with the same starting line-up for the third game in a row but familiarity bred contempt for the first hour.Paraguay could have gone ahead in the very first minute had they taken advantage of an excellent opening. The Spanish defence was split open by Oscar Cardozo who found Jonathan Santana on the edge of the box but his shot was tame and Iker Casillas was not troubled.Cristian Riveros headed over as Paraguay continued their refusal to be overawed while Xavi, dogged by Cristian Riveros snapping at his heels, had a poor first half. Spain failed to bring a single save out of Justo Villar in the first 45 minutes - Xavi's spin and volley that dipped just too late their one highlight, while Fernando Torres looked woeful.After Joan Capdevila's free-kick was blocked, a break by Paraguay saw a stunning cross by Claudio Morel that was just missed by Santana.Villa, who had looked the liveliest of the off-colour Spaniards, dragged a chance wide before Paraguay were controversially denied the lead.Nelson Valdez brought down the ball and finished expertly but was flagged offside - replays showed he was just on - and he put his next chance high and wide after turning Carles Puyol inside and out at pace.After 10 minutes of the second half del Bosque had seen enough and he sent on Cesc Fabregas for Torres and suddenly a drab game exploded into life.Paraguay were awarded a penalty after Gerard Pique hauled down Cardozo. The Benfica forward dusted himself down and stepped up but Casillas saved low to his left.Almost immediately referee Carlos Batres from Guatemala awarded a spot-kick at the other end after Villa was felled by Antolin Alcaraz. Xabi Alonso put it away only to be made to re-take it due to encroachment and this time Villar came up trumps - and he then got away with clipping Fabregas who reached the loose ball first.Iniesta, who had been much subdued, suddenly woke up and brought a terrific save out of Villar with a curling effort, then lofted another effort high over the bar. Fabregas' hustling saw Xavi presented with a shooting chance and he hit it almost too well as it whistled past the post.With seven minutes left Spain finally produced a goal worthy of their lofty reputation when Iniesta went on a fantastic run and set up Pedro whose shot hit the post, with Villa reacting instinctively to fire it in off the other upright. Now he has 43 goals for his country, only one behind Raul.It was left to Casillas to rival Villa as Spain's hero with a double save in the dying seconds to keep out Lucas Barrios and Roque Santa Cruz.
Diego Maradona said he may be ready to quit as Argentina coach
Diego Maradona was a broken man at the full-time whistle.
Argentina came into the game in Cape Town having won all four of their previous games in South Africa but were torn apart by Joachim Low's impressive young side, with Thomas Muller opening the scoring, Miroslav Klose netting twice and defender Arne Friedrich also getting on the scoresheet.
Maradona has been the subject of regular criticism during his time in charge of the national side thanks to some unconvincing performances, even if Argentina's form in the group stages and a second round victory over Mexico was impressive.
After his dream of winning the World Cup as player and coach evaporated, Maradona conceded he may consider resigning from his post. Argentina appointed their hero from the 1986 World Cup as boss in November 2008.
"I may leave tomorrow [Sunday]," Maradona said. "We will see what happens. Whoever comes after me I hope will follow the attacking style. Listen, I haven't thought about leaving, I have to check with my family and players."
He admitted that the prospect of returning to Argentina having let down an expectant public was a daunting one.
"I am totally disappointed," Maradona said. "We will go back and that is difficult after losing but we will sit down and figure out what happened.
"I don't think anybody can be happy with the result. We live and breathe football and no-one will be glad we lost 4-0. The day I stopped playing football could have been similar to this.
"The sadness is really strong, it is tough. We had a wish to go beyond today and be among the four best teams in the world. We had this dream and the opposite happened.
"I lived through this in 1982 as a player. I was a boy and didn't realise. Today, I am 50 in October and mature and it is the toughest day of my life. This is like a kick in the face. I have no more energy for anything.''
Argentina striker Carlos Tevez blamed the defeat on errors. "We just had a bad game. If you make mistakes like that, you go home," he said. "We knew they could be dangerous on set-pieces and on the counter-attack."
MATCH SUMMARY: Argentina 0 - 4 Germany
MATCH SUMMARY
Argentina 0 - 4 Germany
Germany cast their spell on Argentina with a brilliant quarter-final performance.
Argentina were buried thanks to a third-minute goal from Thomas Muller and two second-half efforts from Miroslav Klose either side of one from Arne Friedrich. Even Diego Maradona would had appreciated it had he not been in the opposite dug-out. An imperious masterclass from a side on the march.Games of this magnitude can often be dull, sterile affairs, where two giants cancel each other out completely. This spectacular never had a chance of being that way.An Argentina team containing Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez, managed by one of the most creative forces there has ever been, is not exactly set up to defend. Germany's talents are not as well known. But over the past week Joachim Low's team have made some statement.When Nicolas Otamendi brought Podolski down by the touchline, the start of what turned out to be a tortuous opening period for the young full-back, Bastian Schweinsteiger curled the free-kick to the near post. Muller escaped Otamendi's attentions and rose unchallenged.The youngster should have sent a firm header into the corner. Instead, he got the faintest touch which deceived Sergio Romero, who must have thought he was going to be beaten anyway. It shot off the Argentina keeper's leg and rolled into the net.For a good 15 minutes, those famous blue and white shirts were seen twisting and turning in all directions as they tried to keep their opponents at bay.Klose wasted a golden opportunity to double the advantage when Muller capitalised on Gabriel Heinze's error and squared for the veteran frontman. On his 100th appearance, it should have been his 51st goal. But he rushed the opportunity and side-footed over.Too young to be considered for Germany's triumphant Under-21 squad at last summer's European Championships, what a year Muller has had. In reaching the Champions League final with Bayern Munich, he had already confirmed himself as one of the best young players in the world.On successive weekends, both England and Argentina have discovered the 20-year-old is a rich talent as well. Unfortunately, football can be a cruel sport and a harsh booking for handball means the youngster will miss Wednesday's semi-final in Durban.After being hurt so badly so quickly, Argentina at least managed to clear their heads and began to respond. The problem was Germany's defence was rock solid, their movement choreographed superbly.Messi tried to sparkle but he was forced further back to gain meaningful possession, and then surrounded instantly to ensure there was no escape.Another star name destined to leave South Africa without making a significant mark, or scoring a goal, Messi did his best with the scraps that were offered without making the mesmerising burst or defence-splitting pass his team craved.On the touchline, Maradona stood, knowing the difference between a great player and the absolute best is their ability to produce when the pressure is at its greatest, as he did in 1986. Since then, Germany have gained revenge, both in the 1990 final and the quarter-final four years ago.In his amusing dismissal of England, German skipper Philipp Lahm said he wanted to win inside 90 minutes, for his country to finally defeat a big team. It was time for his youthful team-mates to announce their arrival.First, a prone Muller stabbed the ball into space and set Podolski free to present Klose with a tap-in.Then, pushing forward even though the game was won, Friedrich was on hand to finish from close range after Schweinsteiger had cut through the Argentine defence like a knife through butter.Klose finished the rout and with another four-star performance, Germany roll into the semi-finals with every chance of lifting the trophy.
English octopus oracle predicts German win
Disastrous news for England fans ahead of the crunch last-16 match with Germany Sunday: an octopus in Germany with a perfect track record of predicting World Cup matches has plumped for a German win.
Two plastic boxes containing tasty morsels, one with a German flag and one with an England flag, were lowered into the tank that houses Paul the octopus at his home in Sea Life in Oberhausen, western Germany.
Paul immediately climbed into the German box to a huge roar of approval from the crowd.
Can we get one more trick, Diego?
Posted by Sebastian Garcia
Enough with the war of words, Mr. SCHWEINSTEIGER and Mr. LAHM, it's time to play a game of football and time to see who gets the final word on the pitch.
Germany are a class act and I know I'm not discovering anything when I say this. They have always been tough to beat and they have always been there. Jorge VALDANO, who was one of the few Argentine players who can say 'I defeated Germany at a World Cup' after he scored our second goal in that famous 3-2 win in Mexico 1986, took a quote from Gary LINEKER and put it in Spanish so we could all realise that: 'Football is a sport played by 11 players on each side and the Germans always win'.
On Saturday, in the beautiful Cape Town, in my opinion, it could very well be a matter of 'who wants it more?' and for much as we can't compare to a superior Germany in many aspects, they can't get anywhere near Argentina in that department. WE SIMPLY WANT IT MORE THAN THEM!
Friday was the most spectacular day of this World Cup so far. We had it all in just a couple of matches. Every emotion you could get from watching football was given to us by Brazil, Holland, Uruguay and Ghana.
But the thing that stood out the most for me (apart from the obvious and that incredible final few minutes of Uruguay-Ghana) was something that can be compared to what is going on for Argentina.
What I'm trying to say is that I saw a team (Brazil) completely possessed which looked like the perfect clone of his manager. Every one of the bad features that Dunga had as a player and has as a manager (except perhaps for the dubious taste in clothing), his team showed it on the pitch. But it wasn't just now. It was a constant for quite some time and it peaked right now, during the World Cup.
I have never seen players like KAKA or ROBINHO losing it like that. Complaining to refs after EVERY single call. Asking him to show cards to every rival. Even throwing elbows (see KAKA v. Ivory Coast when he got a red -even though some people still say he didn't do nothing- or see KAKA when Brazil were down 2-1 to Holland violently swinging an arm that went really close to hitting a Dutch defender). They were nervous. They had a terrible attitude and they were nasty too. All of which were trademark DUNGA-the-player characteristics.
On Friday, as never before in my life, I've seen how a team took every attribute from their manager and showed it on the pitch.
I don't mean to write a lot about Brazil, but this goes to perfectly illustrate the point I'd like to make now.
Those who have been reading my website know that I celebrated Diego's appointment as manager of Argentina and that I said that as long as he had somebody of a certain experience behind him to help him out with the tactical decisions and the training, he'd be OK. During the crazy rollercoaster ride that were the World Cup Qualifiers, I got angry at Diego. He got angry at me and at all the other journalists too. He got angry at GRONDONA (head of the AFA), at BILARDO (who was supposed to be that person with the experience to back Diego and help him out), at Juan Roman RIQUELME and a whole bunch of other people.
It was tough to understand some of his decisions and even if I stood 100% behind him after the Bolivia disaster and I insisted in that he needed more time to work with his players, it was impossible for me to sustain my entire support on the basis of what I was witnessing. I kept saying how I loved MARADONA to pieces whilst growing up and how I'll never love another football player as much as I loved him when I was a little boy, but I also repeated that our national team was more important than him. That if I felt Diego was hurting our team, I would oppose to his decisions or his methods.
The minute he gave the list without the names of Javier ZANETTI and Esteban CAMBIASSO, I took it as a punch in my stomach but I didn't cry or complain. I got together, took a deep breath and rallied behind his 23 men.
He kept picking fights with some random people and then he took a flight to South Africa and EVERYTHING changed. Diego, for the first time since he took over, got his wish and got to spend some quality time with his boys. He started building up the team spirit that we lacked so much in previous World Cups. The talent was always there, but the unity among ALL players was more of an utopia in past campaigns than anything else.
So the World Cup started and before it did, Diego listened to his daughters and followed their fashion advice and started wearing that 'sharkskin suit' that became an instant hit (for good or for worse!). But that was not the only visible change. Diego was calm in press conference. He even played some jokes. He sounded wise. He said the right things at the right time. And even when journalists wanted to get something controversial out of his spicy mouth, he dodged those questions like he dodged so many defenders in his playing days and played down every possible chance that he had to engage in a public fight with somebody.
"I don't care about Brazil. I have another business here to take care of and I'm only thinking about our match with Germany" was his reply when they asked him about DUNGA's team getting knocked out of the tournament.
"I don't have time to listen to what SCHWEINSTEIGER has to say. We will do our talking on the pitch", OK, there was something of a subtle hint of controversy in his words, but that was NOTHING compared to what you would have expected coming from MARADONA.
So with all this changes, what you see on the pitch is a team that reflects what his manager is generating in each of our players. A team that shows commitment without losing their 'freshness' to play the kind of football Argentines are famous for playing. A bunch of players that will never give up, no matter what the score is and no matter which team are in front of them. Eleven (or 23) players that simply, want this more than anybody else. I'm not saying they will win it all. Frankly, I'm still far from thinking that. All I'm saying is that we, Argentina fans, have at least one guarantee and that is that our players will never stop trying. Sometimes that's not enough. You need the quality to back up your aspirations of winning big and important things and you need the intelligence to identify what is needed from you in every moment of every game.
He has been criticised for it too, but Diego is showing he loves his players. He is showing affection. He is hugging them, kissing them, hugging them again, lifting them up in the air. And players have been responding to that. They had enough rigidity playing in Europe under European managers. They had enough pressures and enough responsibilities during a long season. They want to enjoy themselves and they want to play football.
Diego has been there and done what his players are now trying to achieve and he's also seen the other side of the coin. In both occasions, Germany was standing on his way. It's Germany again now. Probably the most attractive German side I've ever seen in my life.
And to finish this article (another opportunity that I'm taking to blow off some steam by typing this at crazy hours in the eve of the match), I'd like to take you with me back to 1987.
That year says nothing to most of you. Here's whey I'm taking you there. I was 10. I have never seen Argentina play live at the stadium before in my life, but I was lucky enough to have seen them winning the World Cup the year before. I was also too young when Diego MARADONA left Argentina to sing for Barcelona, so I've never seen him live on site before either.
Off I went to Velez Sarsfield stadium and I was ready to take on the opportunity to fulfil those two dreams. Argentina were playing a friendly to celebrate their World Cup title in front of their own fans and across the midfield line it was Germany again!
We wore the Albiceleste shirt (just like we will on Saturday) and they wore green (like they did in 1986. "A shame they'll dress in black in Cape Town" says the superstitious in me). The place was packed. The vibe was unique. And I was near one of the corner flags, unable to capture everything I wanted to capture with my own eyes. It was just too much. I mean...MARADONA was in the house!
We won that game 1-0 and Jorge BURRUCHAGA was again the 'hero', like when he scored the third goal in the World Cup final in 1986. But what I took from that game is a memory that will stay with me forever. I know it will because I still remember it very vividly.
Someone threw an orange (the favourite fruit in Argentina after Friday's results, by the way) and it landed near the corner flag I was close to.
Our mythological number 10 walked slowly towards the flag to take a corner but since it was a friendly and he was always a crowd-pleaser, he decided to lift up the orange with a playful touch of his left foot and juggled with it for a while as he waited for somebody to give him the proper ball so he could take that uninteresting corner kick. I mean...what did I care about that damned corner kick! My idol was just a few metres away from me and he was making magic with a fruit! Who cares about that corner kick.
But there was more...the ball, the proper ball, came through the floor in his direction and I'm realising this is going to be very difficult for me to explain it in English! But here's my attempt. He gave the ball a sweet first touch with his back towards the corner flag (which was probably 3 yards from where he was standing). As he touched the ball and lift it in the air with a reverse effect, he turned around to start walking towards the corner flag and extended one arm without even looking at that rounded thing which, not-so-shockingly-anymore, landed perfectly in the palm of his opened hand.
I hope you get an idea of what he did. If you don't get it, I'll explain it to you: he secured my eternal love for him! Not an easy trick, eh?
So here I am, as ambitious as never before, asking Diego for one more trick. After all, your number 10 shirt is in good hands now. Vamos Diego, show the world that you, your players and all the Albiceleste fans want this damned trophy more than anybody else in this planet and its surrounding areas. Would you?
A Bit of Banter
I've been dying to do a little trash-talking lately, and this match seemed, to me, to be the perfect place to start. I've enlisted the help of a very excellent writer, and good friend: Gus Sanchez. He and I met over the interwebs several years back, mutually admiring each other's writing styles. And now we're friends, in real life, despite his being a Manchester United and Argentina supporter. Eh. We can't all be perfect...
The fur starts flying in 3, 2, 1....
So, Gus, I've got to tell you, I've been singing "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" since we routed the Brits this past weekend--- even while I was praying for a sombrero to wear and a Corona to drink during your man-handling of Mexico. This match-up is more fitting for a semi-final, or even a final, huh?
I agree, this match would be even greater if it was a semi or a final. It's the match everyone's talking about, and it's a shame it's taking place so soon. Call me nuts, but I think the team that wins this one wins the Cup...so my boys will be lifting the Cup on the 11th.
Not so fast, my friend! I mean, I'm all for positive thinking, but, we have a not-so-secret weapon: Paul, the Psychic Octopus. Any oracular animals in Argentina I'm not aware of?
No oracular animals that I'm aware of, but octopus is a tasty dish. Paul may want to rethink his prediction, lest he wants to end up on the wrong side of a skewer...
Hey, you mentioned on Monday that you weren't the least bit nervous about this match. It's less than 24 hours to go...surely you've got knots in your belly by now, thinking how on Earth will Messi be contained. If you don't, you're either crazy (which I know you are) or just plain deluded (which I know you're not).
Personally, I think Bastian will pick up Messi just fine. Besides, your boy has the sniffles... Also, I never sleep the night before important matches. And when I do sleep, I dream about football. I expect I'll be bleary-eyed, yet hopping around, which is really not any different from any other Saturday morning...
I know you're pissed about Bastian's statements, regarding the fans of Albiceleste and the national team itself. However, I think it's good that the Germans struck first (obviously), because after all, the actions by Maradona, after our "friendly" in March, predicated an attack by us.
Oh, yeah, Schweini. You know what? Whatever. Argentina invented smack talk. Schweini and Lahm need to do a better job of trying to play the dark arts with the Oakland Raiders of football.
You're referring to Diego pitching a hussy fit over having to sit next to Muller. Can you blame him? Diego thought he was the ball boy. Muller looks young enough to be one.
And no worries about Messi's sniffles. I hear gallons of Pepto Bismol have been sent to the German camp, because they'll be suffering heartburn and upset stomachs afterwards.
Hang on a sec. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that Muller's 1st appearance for Die Mannschaft? If so, how's that make Thomas "integral." All kidding aside, I love Diego, but he wouldn't recognize Oezil either, even if he's making those scary bug eyes he does when he scores. And what's up with that? Someone needs to check Oezil for an overactive thyroid...or amphetamines. (Wink back at ya.)
I was thinking Diego might toy with a 3-5-2, considering it's Carlos Bilardo (the DT behind Argentina's 1986 WC-winning squad) that's really orchestrating the formation, but he'll stick with the 3-4-3, or even a 4-3-3, on the notion that no team has yet fully challenged Argentina's defensive holes. Speaking of which, I really want to strangle DeMichelis. I know he's your boy at Bayern, but, yikes, I can't take his cavalier approach to clearing the ball from the box. With that being said, my XI, following the 4-3-3 formation, is as follows:
Romero-Heinze-DeMichelis (yikes!)-Burdisso-Otamendi-Mascherano-DiMaria-Rodriguez-Messi-Tevez-Higuain
So what's your side look like?
OK. So, perhaps "integral", in regards to Mueller, was a bit of a stretch... However, do you think the DFB would ever allow anyone else to face the press besides someone who matters? Even a drug-addled brain should understand that. Ha.
I've got to admit, I'm a bit torn on the Demichelis thing. As the Bayern writer for this site, I heaped a ton of crap on him until, strangely, after the not-so-friendly match with you boys. His sustaining 3 facial fractures via Michael Ballack during that encounter seemed to have lit a fire under him that continued through the rest of the season. The majority of the Bayern contingent was happy to see "Zorro"--- masked or not.
Starting line-up for us? 4-5-1, of course; unchanged from the England showdown. Neuer - Lahm, Mertesacker, Friedrich, Boateng - Khedira, Schweinsteiger - Mueller, Oezil, Podolski - Klose.
But, you see, the only one who matters is Diego. Even Pele knows that! And, besides, to know Diego is to tolerate his diva antics. Personally, I never wanted the AFA to name him as the DT, and I wanted him gone after he made those crass comments to the media. But he's been a massive dose of fresh air, because he's so not a coach, and doesn't bother acting like one. Between his counting the rosary and chest bumping all the players, it's hard not to like what he's doing so far, even if it flies in the face of every coach that's ever lived.
Haha. I'll never be one to jump on the Maradona bandwagon, but I can see where he's got his charm. Nah. That's a lie. I don't, really. That being said...
...Both squads are playing markedly better than our meeting in March. I think the deciding factor will be which back line holds up better. Goals will be scored, for sure. And, I've got to say that I wouldn't mind Neuer pulling a sweaty piece of paper out of his sock, a la Lehmann. We Krauts are quite fond of the shootouts.
You've got to be an Argie to understand Diego's charm. But that's an explanation for another day.
I've always said qualifiers and friendlies mean nothing. Yes, both teams are playing outstanding, considering the "experts" didn't fancy either side to go far.
Yeah, that Lehmann thing. Probably the one thing that most ticked us off; he had us pegged to the T. I don't think we'll end up in a shootout. Honestly, I think both teams want to settle this within 90+minutes. I know I do.
Final thought: the match will be won and lost in the midfield, not the back line. The team that neutralizes their opponent's midfield wins. Here's where I see Mascherano being the most important player for Argentina.
No fistfights this time, yeah? I have to agree with your choice of Mascherano for the AFA. And while the attacking mids for die Mannschaft have gotten all the glamor press, I've got to say Bastian's got to put his money where his mouth is. I'm expecting big things from him.
One more final thought: Jogi's, for sure, the more stylish manager. (Why Diego bothers to wear suits is beyond me.). But, who is the more disgusting of the two? "Pick 'n' Eat" Loew or "Hands in the Pants" Maradona?
Please, dear football gods, no post-match brawl!
Oh, Jogi's a stylin' cat. I'd say him and Bert van Marwhatever have cut stylish looks. I think it's hilarious that Diego looks as if he found his suit at the Salvation Army. Still, getting caught picking and eating snot is pretty gross, and he's got Diego beat in the "inappropriate moment caught on TV moment" corner. But, if Diego sniffed his hands...
That would be... awesome. And disgusting.
Thanks for your time, wisdom and humor, Gus. Best of luck to you, and here's to hoping you need it!
Diego Maradona admits he is concerned for Lionel Messi's fitness
Diego Maradona admits he is concerned for Lionel Messi's fitness ahead of the quarter-final with Germany, but Franz Beckenbauer says he must be marked out of the game.
Although he has yet to score in South Africa, Messi has been an impressive performer and an essential part of Argentina's campaign to date. There are concerns over his fitness, though, with a virus restricting his involvement in training on Friday.
"He told me about it and I sent him back inside," Maradona said. "It was very cold when we started training at 4.30pm. I gave him a bit of a rest. I just let him have a rest so he could play against Germany."
He added: "I never had any doubts about the participation of Messi, but I am a little worried about him."
If he is fit, Messi is likely to be a key figure in the match. He has enjoyed a return to form with his country since Maradona changed his formation, giving Messi a free role behind Carlos TevezGonzalo Higuain. and
"I want to give him freedom to play his game," Maradona said. "He has no defined position. These players, like Messi, if you label them or shackle them, you'll detract from their freshness and initiative."
Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup with West Germany as both player and coach, feels Joachim Low must learn a lesson from Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan side, who kept Messi at bay during this year's Champions League semi-finals.
"Inter Milan demonstrated how to successfully take Messi out of a game in the Champions League against Barcelona," he wrote in Bild. "He must be isolated to stop passes getting to him. It will quite often fall to Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira.
"We have to stop the best attack in the World Cup. In front of Messi is Gonzalo Higuain. He is fast, dynamic and has a good shooting technique. And Carlos Tevez is coming from the left. Our back four will have work with total concentration."
Beckenbauer says that, in Argentina, Germany face "by far the hardest game for our team at this World Cup", but he is convinced they are beatable, identifying their defence as a weakness.
"Miroslav Klose should attack early against the shaky centre backs who allowed Mexico chances in the second round. Thomas Muller can give Gabriel Heinze - who is becoming slow - the slip on the right hand side."
Maradona, though, is rated as a strong point. "It would be an error to underestimate Diego Maradona as a coach," Beckenbauer wrote. "I did not understand the doubts over him. An exceptional former player does not need to be told much more about football.
"The Argentina players would go through fire for Maradona. I know from [Bayern Munich defender] Martin Demichelis how much they revere him. The worst thing for them would be to disappoint Diego."
While Messi is the focal point ahead of the game, Germany's Mesut Ozil has been compared to the Barcelona star after some impressive showings in South Africa. The Werder Bremen playmaker, a Barca fan, says he is desperate to get the better of Messi at Green Point Stadium.
"Yes, many in the team call me Messi," Ozil told Bild. "That's my nickname. I want to beat Messi and we want to beat Argentina as a team. I am convinced that we will beat them, so you can bet on us."
He added: "They will be a tough side to beat and we must not be provoked. I'm not afraid. I'm looking forward to the game. Argentina have a lot of world-class players in the team, and I want to measure myself against them."
Friday, July 2, 2010
Messi in harness as Argentina promise fireworks
Diego Maradona pledged his men would stay true to their attacking style.
PRETORIA — Argentina were boosted on Friday when Lionel Messi trained normally ahead of the World Cup quarter-final against Germany while coach Diego Maradona pledged his men would stay true to their attacking style.
"It would be a sin to change now. I am not going to play 4-4-2," Maradona vowed ahead of Saturday's showdown at Cape Town.
Messi, who reportedly had a cold which curtailed his training session on Thursday, has recovered and should be fit to start.
"The best news of the day at the University of Pretoria was the return to training of Lionel Messi - the fright has passed ... tomorrow he will be in the starting line-up against Germany in Cape Town," Clarin daily newspaper reported.
Messi, still looking for his first goal of the competition, is therefore set to feature in an attacking trident with Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain.
Higuain was on target when Argentina won the countries' last meeting 1-0, a friendly in Munich.
While his defence has held up to date at the World Cup, Maradona knows his strongest suit is attack.
He can call on no fewer that six top forwards - his son-in-law Sergio Aguero, Champions League winner Diego Milito and veteran Martin Palermo as well as his main first choices.
The super six netted more than 150 goals between them last season.
"We are improving all the time - and gaining respect. People know we can hit them, at any time up front," said Tevez, who scored a brace in the last 16 win over Mexico.
Now it is the Germans who stand in their way.
Argentina beat them in a memorable 1986 final before the boot was on the other foot four years later.
Four years ago it was the Germans' turn again in the last 16 in Berlin on penalties.
Now the young brigade of Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil and the seasoned campaigners of Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose will duel with Maradona's men and it's all or nothing for the man who wants to emulate Franz Beckenbauer in winning the trophy as skipper and then coach.
As Maradona puts it, one mistake "and you're on the plane home."
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