Germany fans war of words with Argentina
Source: Agencies |
July 2, 2010, Friday
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GERMANY captain Philipp Lahm yesterday fanned a war of words between his side and rival Argentina ahead of their World Cup quarterfinal clash, accusing his opponents of being bad losers.
A day after Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger called the Argentines "disrespectful", his captain said they 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 the usually soft-spoken Lahm. "We will see on Saturday how they will lose and how they will behave after a defeat."
A violent brawl broke out after Germany beat Argentina in the 2006 World Cup quarterfinals on penalties, drawing in players and coaches and punches flying.
The two sides have also met twice in a World Cup final, with Argentina winning its second trophy in 1986 and Germany coming out on top in 1990 for its third World Cup victory.
"We have to concentrate on our football only," said Lahm. "The South Americans are temperamental. We know that and we will see how they will deal this time with a defeat.
"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," Lahm said.
Unusual
Schweinsteiger had kicked off the unusual war of words on Wednesday saying Argentine players were always trying to influence the referee to gain an unfair advantage.
"It starts before the match," Schweinsteiger said. "If you see how they gesticulate, how they try to influence the referee. That is not part of the game. That is a lack of respect. They just are like that," said Schweinsteiger.
Argentina's coach Diego Maradona responded by asking: "What's the matter with you, Schweinsteiger, are you nervous?"
Maradona later told Fox Sports Argentina, "we don't have time to think about Schweinsteiger."
"The players are thinking about going onto the pitch, in getting their revenge," he said, referring to Argentina's 2006 quarterfinal loss in Berlin.
"I'm not worried about what they say about the penalties, the kicks. We're going to go and beat them in their half," Maradona said.
Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff, playing the role of a good cop, urged German players to forget the 2006 World Cup brawl.
"We should leave it behind and keep a cool head and just concentrate on what we do best," he told reporters.
"I do not think it will be a fiery game," he said adding Germany was not overestimating its abilities despite having played a good tournament so far.
"That is exactly the strength of the team. That they have a healthy self-esteem. This enthusiasm around them will not carry them away thinking they have reached their target."
Meanwhile, German players Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil skipped training yesterday as a precautionary measure. Cacau, who has been nursing an abdominal muscle strain, is also doubtful for the match.
A day after Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger called the Argentines "disrespectful", his captain said they 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 the usually soft-spoken Lahm. "We will see on Saturday how they will lose and how they will behave after a defeat."
A violent brawl broke out after Germany beat Argentina in the 2006 World Cup quarterfinals on penalties, drawing in players and coaches and punches flying.
The two sides have also met twice in a World Cup final, with Argentina winning its second trophy in 1986 and Germany coming out on top in 1990 for its third World Cup victory.
"We have to concentrate on our football only," said Lahm. "The South Americans are temperamental. We know that and we will see how they will deal this time with a defeat.
"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," Lahm said.
Unusual
Schweinsteiger had kicked off the unusual war of words on Wednesday saying Argentine players were always trying to influence the referee to gain an unfair advantage.
"It starts before the match," Schweinsteiger said. "If you see how they gesticulate, how they try to influence the referee. That is not part of the game. That is a lack of respect. They just are like that," said Schweinsteiger.
Argentina's coach Diego Maradona responded by asking: "What's the matter with you, Schweinsteiger, are you nervous?"
Maradona later told Fox Sports Argentina, "we don't have time to think about Schweinsteiger."
"The players are thinking about going onto the pitch, in getting their revenge," he said, referring to Argentina's 2006 quarterfinal loss in Berlin.
"I'm not worried about what they say about the penalties, the kicks. We're going to go and beat them in their half," Maradona said.
Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff, playing the role of a good cop, urged German players to forget the 2006 World Cup brawl.
"We should leave it behind and keep a cool head and just concentrate on what we do best," he told reporters.
"I do not think it will be a fiery game," he said adding Germany was not overestimating its abilities despite having played a good tournament so far.
"That is exactly the strength of the team. That they have a healthy self-esteem. This enthusiasm around them will not carry them away thinking they have reached their target."
Meanwhile, German players Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil skipped training yesterday as a precautionary measure. Cacau, who has been nursing an abdominal muscle strain, is also doubtful for the match.
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