“We have to concentrate on our own game. They are temperamental, we’ll see how they deal with defeat on Saturday. They are impulsive, temperamental and they don’t know how to lose,” Lahm said. -Photo by AFP
ERASMIA: Germany captain Philipp Lahm has maintained the war of words with Argentina by saying his team’s World Cup quarterfinal opponents are bad losers.
Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff added to the tension on Thursday, calling the Argentines “aggressive” and “provocative” on the pitch.
The statements came a day after midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said Argentina showed no respect for opponents and referees.
In nearby Pretoria, Argentina coach Diego Maradona said nerves must be getting to Schweinsteiger.
Laughing during an interview Wednesday night with Fox Sports Argentina, Maradona mockingly asked Schweinsteiger whether he was “nervous” and said his players were looking forward to “revenge.”
Lahm dismissed suggestions his teammates were nervous.
“We are tense but not nervous,” Lahm said. “We are looking forward to the game.”
The unusually bellicose German comments appear designed to raise the stakes in the mind games ahead of the match on Saturday in Cape Town.
The two teams have history, fighting on the field after Germany beat Argentina on penalties in the quarterfinals at the 2006 tournament.
“We have to concentrate on our own game. They are temperamental, we’ll see how they deal with defeat on Saturday,” Lahm said.
“They are impulsive, temperamental and they don’t know how to lose.”
Bierhoff said he had played with many Argentines and found them “friendly, warmhearted people.”
“But on the pitch they are different. They become aggressive and provocative. We should keep a cool head and concentrate on our own game,” the former Germany striker said.
Referring to the post-match fight in 2006, Bierhoff said, “emotions run high after a game but we should put it behind us.”
Asked if the team’s staff had talked to Schweinsteiger about his comments the day before, Bierhoff said he saw no need for that.
“I don’t think they were so inflammatory. It was not his intention to start a fire. He is a fair sportsman,” Bierhoff said.
A day earlier, Schweinsteiger had said that the fight after 2006 quarterfinal still weighed heavily on his teammates’ minds.
“When you look at their body language and gesticulations, they way they try to influence the referees, they have no respect,” Schweinsteiger said.
“It’s their mentality and character and we’ll have to adjust.”
Bierhoff said the German team had a “healthy doze of self-esteem” but would not be overestimating itself and Lahm said there was no such danger.
“We are playing the top favorite and we won’t be over confident,” Lahm said.
Germany beat England 4-1 in the round of 16 by exposing England’s defensive weaknesses and Bierhoff said the team has devised a game plan for Argentina, although he would no reveal details.
“We see Argentina as a stronger team than England. We could learn ourselves in March how strong they are,” Bierhoff said.
“They are ambitious and have a strong team spirit and use every chance they get. They have fewer weaknesses than England, but we have detected some.”
Argentina beat Germany 1-0 in a friendly in Munich in March.
“We have a lot of quality and we must play as a team, as we did against England. We’ll be well prepared and we’ll know how to beat a strong opponent,” Lahm said.
“We have to show that we can beat a really strong rival, it’s been a long time.” -AP
