Old wounds have been reopened and angry words exchanged. The mind games are at full throttle before the biggest draw of the quarterfinals at Cape Town on Saturday. The cracking tie between Argentina and Germany has received all the attention and hype it richly deserves and the watching world can’t wait for the real action to begin.
There is no love lost between Argentina and Germany. The first chapter of the cantankerous relationship was written on a memorable day in Mexico City 24 years ago.
Diego Maradona, the scriptwriter, is now at the helm of an exciting Argentina side. Facing him across the other dugout is Joachim Loew who has constructed an equally ebullient team full of talented youngsters. The reward for winning the high-profile contest is a place in the semifinals, possibly against Spain.
Both teams are treading cautiously and will prefer to take one step at a time.
The verbal volleys that have preceded the Saturday showdown, which is a classic 50-50 contest, have demonstrated that Argentina and Germany respect each other. There is also fear — fear of failure — in both camps. Whatever is the result, the flow of tears is guaranteed at Green Point Stadium. The match isn’t for the weak-hearted for sure. An outrageously talented Argentina will have to strain every sinew to beat a German team that hit their stride so gloriously against England in the previous round.
Both teams aren’t known for their defensive solidity. The match may well be decided by a mistake at the back. The way Ghana unhinged his German defence repeatedly in the group stage would have woken up Loew in the middle of the nightfor a couple of days. But his effervescent charges buried the Ghana ghost with an attacking performance of highest order against England in the subsequent match.
German forward Thomas Mueller, who was humiliated by Maradona not long ago, was particularly awesome at Bloemfontein with a hand in three of his team’s four goals. Germany’s arsenal — Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Mesut Ozil and Mueller — up front is frightening.
The industrious Sami Khedira has struck a great understanding with the inspirational Bastian Schweinsteiger at the heart of midfield. Versatile full-backs, Jerome Boateng and Philipp Lahm, give Germany a menacing look.
Argentina are truly blessed. Imagine the strength in depth of a team that keeps treble winner Diego Milito and Europa League champion Sergio Aguero on the bench.
The mini-final is also the perfect stage for Lionel Messi to stake his claim for sporting immortality. The Barcelona star has been able to maintain his enviable standard here, even though goals have eluded him.