Das boot: Diego Maradona has mocked Argentina's
quarter-final opponents Germany on the eve of their big
clash
Diego Maradona has already served a FIFA ban for
insulting the media in the last year and his Basil Fawlty-style
response to a scathing attack from Bastian Schweinsteiger is
unlikely to receive the approval of the UN.
But it does guarantee drama as well as what promises to be a
fascinating match when the two teams meet in Saturday's World Cup
quarter-final at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium.
The rift dates back to the World Cup quarter-final they
contested in Berlin four years ago, when yet another successful
penalty shoot-out for the Germans was followed by an astonishing
brawl.
The Argentines claimed the Germans had mocked them for failing
to hold their nerve. Leandro Cufre was sent off for a karate kick
on Per Mertesacker while Torsten Frings was banned for the
semi-final the Germans lost to Italy for throwing a punch.
War of words: Germany midfielder Bastian
Schweinsteiger said Argentina were 'disrespectful'
On Wednesday Schweinsteiger kicked things off by
branding the Argentines 'disrespectful' and accusing them of
forever trying to influence the referee.
Philipp Lahm, the Germany captain, added fuel to the fire on
Thursday by saying the South Americans are 'impulsive and
temperamental'.
Maradona issued his response to Joachim Low's side in a
television interview, addressing the Bayern Munich midfielder in a
German accent by saying: 'What's the matter with you,
Schweinsteiger, are you nervous?'
He did then deliver a more serious message. 'We don't have time
to think about Schweinsteiger,' he said.
'The players are thinking about going on the pitch and
getting revenge. I'm not worried about what they say about the
penalties. We are coming out to attack them and play in their
faces. This is what has them nervous.'
Lahm dismissed such talk. 'We are tense but not nervous,' he
said. 'We'll see how they deal with defeat.
'They're impulsive, temperamental and don't know how to lose.'
Oliver Bierhoff, Germany's general manager, said he had always
found the Argentines 'friendly, warm-hearted people'. But then
declared they are 'different on the pitch'.
'They become aggressive and provocative,' he added. 'Emotions
run high after a game. We should put what happened four years ago
behind us.'
Big test: Germany captain Philipp Lahm knows
Argentina will be tough
Lahm even took another veiled swipe at England, crushed
by the Germans in the last 16. 'Now we are up against our own big
five,' he said. 'We have to show we can finally beat a big team -
someone like Argentina, Brazil or Spain. Definitely, these are
bigger than England.'
Argentina are in danger of becoming increasingly unpopular,
however. Not least because of Maradona's public spat with Pele.
Earlier in the tournament Maradona said the Brazilian legend
should be 'in a museum' and on Thursday Pele hit back.
'I just think Maradona's not a good coach. He had a bizarre
lifestyle which cannot go down well with his team.'
He was more complimentary towards Germany. 'This young German
team is a pleasure to watch,' he said.
'Something has changed in German football. It was already
beginning to happen at Euro 2008 (where they lost 1-0 to Spain in
the final) and the youngsters Ozil and Muller are like Wolfgang
Overath and Pierre Littbarski . They can dribble, deliver pinpoint
passes and produce a surprise at any moment. But they are too
inexperienced to win the title.'
Missing man: Lionel Messi skipped training due to a
fever
Maradona eventually talked tactics, insisting he would
not return to the 4-4-2 formation that had proved successful in
beating the Germans in a friendly.
'It would be a sin to change back with the players that we have.
We're going to attack,' he said.
Lionel Messi missed training on Thursday with a fever but
Argentina hope he will recover to play on Saturday.