News
FIFA
GermanyArgentina, a tournament
classic
28 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
When the ball gets rolling on Friday at 17:00 local time at
Berlins Olympiastadion, millions around the globe will take sides.
FIFA World Cup meetings between Germany and Argentina are often
the stuff of legend, and with a semi-final spot up for grabs on
Friday, this latest clash should be no exception.
Colours for the game
Germany: White shirts, black shorts and white socks
Argentina: Blue shirts, black shorts and white socks
The story so far
After a convincing last-16 win over Sweden, there has been nothing
but good vibes emanating from the German camp. The players have
enjoyed spending some well-deserved time with their families and
friends, while several squad members took up the offer of archery
lessons for a bit of additional target practice. As for the team,
all the indications are that coach Jurgen Klinsmann will start with
the same 11 players who earned the hosts their place in the
quarter-finals last Saturday.
As for Argentina, Jose Pekerman has also declined to confirm his
starting XI ahead of the game, though he too is unlikely to make
unforced changes to the side that saw off Mexico in their Round of
16 tie. Pekermans only doubts concern the right side of his
defence and midfield. At the back, it is not yet clear whether
Nicolas Burdisso, who started in the teams first two games, will
line up on Friday. If not, then either Lionel Scaloni, Fabricio
Coloccini or Leandro Cufre will be ready to step in. As for
midfield, Portos Luis Gonzalez looks likely to return on the right
side, although it is conceivable he could yet lose out to the
in-form Esteban Cambiasso.
Past meetings
Although this will be the teams fifth encounter at a FIFA World
Cup, it is the last two games the Finals of Mexico 86 and Italia
90 that cemented the fierce rivalry between the sides. In the
first of these, the inspiration for the South Americans 3-2 win
came from one Diego Maradona, who will doubtless settle for a
repeat of that scoreline as he roars his compatriots on from the
stands. Four years later, the Nationalmannschaft exacted immediate
revenge, when Andreas Brehme's 84th-minute penalty handed them a
1-0 victory and the world title in the decider in Rome.
Two interesting facts add even more spice to Fridays showdown. The
first is that at Italia 90, the Albiceleste reached the Final after
eliminating the hosts in the previous round. The second is that
since Germanys victory over the South Americans in that years
decider, they have not beaten their old foes once.
The duels
Not one, but two spring to mind for Fridays showdown:
Michael Ballack v Juan Riquelme and Miroslav Klose v Hernan
Crespo
Ballack and Riquelme are both intelligent midfielders with great
vision and shooting skills, although the pair have their
differences. The German is more direct than the Argentine
playmaker, who prefers to vary the tempo of the game and cut
swathes through defences with his long and short-range passing. No
one has any doubt that the effectiveness of both teams play, and
thus the outcome of the game itself, will depend a great deal on
how the pair perform.
The second battle will be fought in front of goal and pits Klose,
scorer of four goals already at Germany 2006, against Crespo, who
has three strikes thus far. Both are leading candidates for the
adidas Golden Shoe. The German sharpshooter has picked up where he
left off four years ago in Korea/Japan and now has an impressive
nine FIFA World Cup goals to his name. Not to be outdone, the
Argentine front-runner has found the net in his last four FIFA
World Cup games his teams final game of Korea/Japan 2002 against
Sweden followed by his three appearances for the Albiceleste here
in Germany: against Côte d'Ivoire, Serbia and Montenegro and Mexico
(he did not play against the Netherlands). It seems almost certain
that one of the lethal pair will have a say in the final outcome
tomorrow.
What they're saying
Miroslav Klose, Germany striker: Were not particularly nervous
about facing Argentina, even though theyre a strong side and one
of the favourites for the title. Now that they have had the
misfortune to come up against us, we hope we can send them
home.
Carlos Tevez, Argentina forward: The key to beating Germany? Fight
to the death. As well as that we have to play football and keep the
ball on the ground, but first and foremost we have to
fight.
