The 3rd of the 4 Quarter-Finals sees Argentina take on Germany. I really see this as being THE match of the tournament for excitement, Maradona's there for Christ's sake! These are 2 of histories most successful teams and 2 of the more impressive attacking forces so far so I really hope we're in for a treat tomorrow night!
Argentina v Germany, Kick-Off 3pm UK Time, Saturday 2nd July
Defence
Both of these teams have been criticised for their perceived weaknesses at the back, but so far they have carried them this far. Personally, I do agree with some of the points made about their weaknesses which I will go into here.
Argentina's back-line hasn't really been put to the test yet, and I think they'll consider themselves very lucky for that! Maradona, as expected, has made some very interesting choices in his back 4. Gabi Heinze, now of PSG, plays at left-back. Now, Gabi was a very good player in his time before, during and immediately after Man United, but now he's utter tosh! He's slow, petulant and just not good enough to cope if someone really gets at him, as I'd expect the Germans to do. At right-back it's either Jonas Gutierrez of Newcastle or Nicolas Otamendi of Velez Sarsfield. Gutierrez is a fairly mediocre winger by trade and is hopeless defensively, as you'd imagine, and Otamendi is a promising centre back who lacks the pace to play a full-back role. I would expect Germany to target the flanks and get some joy there. At centre half it's always Martin Demechelis of Bayern Munich alongside either Martin Samuel or Nicolas Burdisso, both of Inter Milan. Demechelis is the weakest of the 3, but under Maradona is a sure starter. None of them are quick, but Samuel is a very powerful player and reads the game well. If Germany, and Ozil in particular, are on form Argentina may find themselves in trouble!
Germany are lacking in pace at centre half too. Per Mertesacker of Werder Bremen and Arne Friedrich of Hertha Berlin are both vastly experienced though with over 65 caps each. They are a solid unit, but they will no doubt be troubled by the pace of Argentina's front 3. At full-back I would expect to see Philip Lahm, the captain, and Dennis Aogo or Jerome Boateng. Lahm is a brilliant modern full-back, full of running, defensively astute and capable of supporting the attack too. Aogo and Boateng are not! Both are, in my opinion, defensively suspect and prone to lapses of concentration. Expect to see Messi target whichever one gets the nod. I don't think the game will necessarily be decided here, although I really think Germany are going to get a lot of chances gifted by Argentina's poor defence.
Midfield
Argentina play a fairly normal 4-4-2, but with the wingers and forwards given licence to roam and swap positions at will. In the middle they normally start with Javier Mascherano of Liverpool and Juan Veron, now of Estudiantes. Personally I hate Macherano, let me make that clear! He is a horrible, petulant little player who constantly fouls and seems to have a very limited knowledge of how to actually play football. With that off my chest, he does have a role here as Veron's legs! Seba is in the twilight of his career now, and is in the team for his eye for a pass and nothing more. Angel Di Maria of Benfica and Maxi Rodriguez of Liverpool are the wingers. Di Maria is one of the rising stars of European football and is expected to move to Real Madrid after the tournament. I was very impressed with him at his club last year, but I don't think he's been great at this World Cup so far. Maxi isn't the same player who was so solid for Atletico Madrid and is another who I think has failed to live up to his billing so far.
Germany have, for me, had the most impressive midfield in the tournamnet so far. Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern Munich has been a revelation since Van Gaal spotted his potential and put him in a defensive midfield position last season. He is a terrier, like Mascherano, but as a bonus actually knows how to play football! He is accompanied by Sami Khedira of Stuttgart. Not a name I was massively familiar with pre0tournament, but now one of my favourite players so far. He is a very unfussy player, defensively astute, capable of great passing and calm. A revelation in the absence of Michael Ballack. Mesut Ozil completes the trio and is surely one of the players of the tournament so far. He is a classic playmaker given licence to roam by Jogi Low and prompts and probes all match. He will be one of the best in the world in a few years, mark my words! I see Germany winning this match up. Veron isn't anywhere near quick enough and I see him being a passenger as this game passes him by. I wouldn't be at all suprised to see Mascherano sent off either if they fall behind.
Attack
This is where Argentina undoubtebly have the edge. And that edge is Lionel 'The Flea' Messi! The best player I have ever seen, and he has proved it in this World Cup with everything but a goal so far. He has ran this Argentina team in much the way Maradona uesd to or Zidane did for France. Everytime a player has the ball they look to give it to Messi and for him to make things happen. Those that criticised hisunselfish display against Mexico will do well to notice he was often triple-marked, freeing up space for the other attackers. He will join Pele, Maradona and Di Stefano as one of the best ever I think. Alongside him is Carlos Tevez of Man City. I think he's every bit as good as Wayne Rooney myself, what he lacks in technique he makes up for in effort and he scores goals too when played up front. These 2 will give Germany a test like they haven't had yet.
Germany's attack will be the 3 pronged trident of Podolski, Klose and Mueller. All 3 contracted to Bayern Munich and all been impressive so far. Mueller has only completed his first full season last year, but looks like he's been there forever, a very mature player. Klose is lethal at international level, and particularly good in the air. He's not played loads of club football, but looks to have saved his best for the World Cup. Lukas Podolski reminds me of Milan Baros. He is an incredibly greedy player, he will always opt to shoot given half a chance, but he does have a good goalscoring record at this level. He caused England's Glen Johnson to have a terrible game last time out and will look to torment Argentina's full backs in the same way.
I think we will see goals here as both have good attacks and weaknesses to exploit in defence. Saying that, I think Germany have more threats and if Argentina go behind it will be interesting if they revert to type and implode spectactularly! I can't imagine Maradona being a calming influence!
Betting
I fancy goals goals, goals here and might go as far as over 4.5 available at 15/2 at Stan James for some longer odds. I would look at the sendings off market and take Blue Sq's 11/4 on Yes. I would back Germany in 90 minutes at a frankly massive 12/5 at Ladbrokes too. Germany to qualify at 13/10 with bet365 might appeal to those with less cojones!
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