Germany searching for ways to shut out Messi
Source: Agencies |
June 30, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GERMANY has identified Lionel Messi is the biggest difference to the Argentina team it beat on penalties four years ago in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Germany midfielder Sami Khedira said that only a collective effort can contain the man he calls "the best player in the world" when the teams meet at the same stage on Saturday in Cape Town.
"You can't shut him down for the entire match and you have to try to contain him with a collective effort," Khedira said.
Although Messi still has to score at the tournament, his attacking play has shone. Khedira is only too well aware of what the Argentina star is capable of producing, having gotten a close look when his Stuttgart club faced Messi's Barcelona in the Champions League.
Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who is expected to play his 100th international against Argentina, said both teams have been revamped since the stormy quarterfinal clash in 2006 when tempers flared and punches were exchanged after the shootout.
"I know they can take revenge for 2006, but it's a different team now. Lionel Messi was on the bench then," Klose said. "We've changed a lot too. Still, when you look at the names, on paper Argentina is simply better.
"But it's what happens on the field that matters. It's how you come out as a team."
Klose has two goals at this tournament and shares fourth place on the all-time World Cup scorers list with Pele at 12.
Klose is the oldest starter in Germany's squad, the country's second youngest ever at a World Cup, but the striker believes it has the right blend to repeat its 2006 quarterfinal victory.
"We have a good balance between young and experienced, and we have the quality to beat Argentina," the 32-year-old Bayern Munich striker said.
Thomas Mueller, who leads Germany with three goals and who is growing into a star at age 20, believes Argentina has defensive weakness Germany could exploit.
Argentina defender Martin Demichelis has looked vulnerable and Mueller and Klose are bound to know the weaknesses in their Bayern teammate. "Argentina's offense is world class but they have some defensive deficits as seen against Mexico," Mueller said.
Germany midfielder Sami Khedira said that only a collective effort can contain the man he calls "the best player in the world" when the teams meet at the same stage on Saturday in Cape Town.
"You can't shut him down for the entire match and you have to try to contain him with a collective effort," Khedira said.
Although Messi still has to score at the tournament, his attacking play has shone. Khedira is only too well aware of what the Argentina star is capable of producing, having gotten a close look when his Stuttgart club faced Messi's Barcelona in the Champions League.
Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who is expected to play his 100th international against Argentina, said both teams have been revamped since the stormy quarterfinal clash in 2006 when tempers flared and punches were exchanged after the shootout.
"I know they can take revenge for 2006, but it's a different team now. Lionel Messi was on the bench then," Klose said. "We've changed a lot too. Still, when you look at the names, on paper Argentina is simply better.
"But it's what happens on the field that matters. It's how you come out as a team."
Klose has two goals at this tournament and shares fourth place on the all-time World Cup scorers list with Pele at 12.
Klose is the oldest starter in Germany's squad, the country's second youngest ever at a World Cup, but the striker believes it has the right blend to repeat its 2006 quarterfinal victory.
"We have a good balance between young and experienced, and we have the quality to beat Argentina," the 32-year-old Bayern Munich striker said.
Thomas Mueller, who leads Germany with three goals and who is growing into a star at age 20, believes Argentina has defensive weakness Germany could exploit.
Argentina defender Martin Demichelis has looked vulnerable and Mueller and Klose are bound to know the weaknesses in their Bayern teammate. "Argentina's offense is world class but they have some defensive deficits as seen against Mexico," Mueller said.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
