Quarterfinal One: Official Germany vs Argentina PRE Match Thread [R]

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

I hadn't realized it till now but Germany just plays in three venues. Munich, Dortmund, Berlin.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

I think Germany will pass over Argentina like a panzer division.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

Deutschland isn't the Ivory Coast, Holland and they sure aint Serbia. Argies better prepare to enter the German engineered matrix baby. If they had problems with dudes like Marquez and Borgetti how are they going handle the assault from Klose, Ballack, & Podolski alongside the sniper Frings? You can't give any of them clear shots. The Argentine back has to be on top form and the goalie must be mentally prepared for this.

Riquelme, Crespo, & Tevez are always on point and you know Messi is always fully loaded, but I see the Berlin wall being harder for them to penetrate than the other way around. Argies have a speed advantage and can probably control the mid. They should utilize the crisp short passing attack, popping holes in the German backline... then BOOM. Accuracy is key.

This is a game of Snipers vs. Seals

Germany 2 - 1 Argentina

1. Klose 2.Tevez
3. Frings

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

After all the talk about how bad the German defense is... They sure do look like the... ah... hmm, wall of Berlin (go ahead call me mr. platant) when compared to their Argentinian counterparts... I hate (read: love) to think what Klose & Podolski will do to that poor hapless Heinze.

3 GER - ARG 1

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

I´m not nearly as positive as the rest of you so whatever the final score will be like...I just hope our boys will give the best they have to offer and that Klinsmann continues his great work as our coach even if we lose against Argentina.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

should be a great game. Will Messi start over Saviola?

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

Oh no, people are overestimating Germany now.......

I'd say Argentina is a lot more dangerous than Sweden...

Heck, we had a harder time against Poland and they're back home now....

I agree with the previous poster, I just want Germany to give it 110% and show people that they've come a long way since Klinsman took over and that this new generation has the potential to be great.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

Check my posts. I am not overestimating Germany now. I've been saying before the cup started that Germany is the strongest candidate to win this tournament:

1- They are playing at home

2-They are well prepared physically, have a solid and organized defense and a killer attack

3- They have won 3 World Cups and are thirsty for one more since the final of 2002

It's funny, but the only Argentina game I missed was Argentina vs. Serbia and I am very disappointed with what I've seen... Argentina looks like a very disorganized team — missing passes and losing the ball easily — being pressured by a rookie team such as Ivory Coast and by a Mexican squad that tied with Angola and lost to Portugal. Although their talent has saved them in a few occasions (such as today, when Mexico was controlling the game) I don't think they will survive a game against the strong home team. I expect a massacre from Germany...

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

See.....this is not the same team that won the world cup three previous times. You look at all other squads that have won it and all players on the pitch were world class.

I mean, I think its great if you think of Mertesacker as World Class.

The defense is certainly not solid and certainly not organized well enough to keep the best offenses at bay. I'm not beating up on my team, I'm just being realistic. The defense has actually been the main weakenss since Klinsman arrived, a total disaster actually. Whereas we don't have problems scoring, we can't seem to prevent keeping clean sheets (against big time oppositon) as was the case in last years Confed Cup and in the pre-WC friendlies.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

I'm watching this one for sure
this game will be sooo good XDD i can't wait
but i personally think Germany will going to win this one,
This team looks so strong in this worldcup and i think they are going to win it.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

It's true enough that the defensive performance of the team has been the biggest problem since Klinsmann took over. On the other hand, it should also be noted that Germany has allowed fewer chances per game than anybody save France in this WC if Kicker is to be believed.

Granted, this doesn't necessarily mean that Germany has the second best defense at this WC -- taking the relative weakness of the team's opponents into account -- but I think it's fair to say the defensive performance has actually been quite solid so far. If it will hold up against better opposition remains to be seen, of course.

Anyway, I think it can be argued that the primary problem hasn't actually been the (supposedly) lacking individual class of the defenders -- though there remain worries about this too -- but the tactical approach and the workrate of the whole team. The defense seems to profit quite a lot from Ballack playing deeper -- almost as a second defensive midfielder at times -- and from the improved tactical performance of the whole team but especially the midfielders who take their assignments of moving against the ball to deny the opposition space, and of closing down, doubling and tripling the opposition much more seriously than in some previous games.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

Germany the favorites to win the game
1. Playing very well.
2. Home team
3. Tired Argentina from OT game vs Mexico
4. etc...

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

I don't expect a german win over Argentina. But they will definately struggle them a lot! It will be a very hard fight for the Argies! But at the end they will be the stronger side 3:2 after extension!

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

that's an interesting game to say the least.
It's a game full of mismatches, so I think the team who managed to keep the ball possession for the most part will emerge victorious.

The speed of Saviola or Tevez/Messi and the predatory istinct of Crespo is a very serious threat to Germany's slow central defenders. Plus, Frings and Ballack are no pressing masters, so chances are that Riquelme will be quite free.
On the other hand, Germany - like Mexico yesterday - can outplay Argies on the wings. Lahm & Schweinsteiger vs. Scaloni, Schneider (and perhaps, in the second half, Odonkor) vs. Sorin... Cambiasso and Rodriguez will be overworked for the second game in a row, and there are no possible subs for them.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

Actually, Ballack and Frings are "pressing masters" if I´ve ever seen any. Both are very strong on the defensive side.
Argentina has an awesome bunch of forwards. It remains to be seen, if the German team can stop them. But then Germany has a pretty terrifying offense as well, and Argentina did not have to do any defending against strikers half as dangerous as Klose and Podolski.
This is a very tough match, worthy of a WC final, as in ´82 and ´86. Can go either way. The German team looks incredibly fit and plays the best football I´ve seen from a German side in a long time, if ever. Argentina plays the best football I´ve seen from an Argentinian Team since the days of Maradona´s prime, but with the talent more equally distributed. Both teams are extremely variable, can play fast paced passing though the middle as well as counter-attacks along the sides. Crespo and Klose are predators for any high or low ball that comes near the box, strong headers with awesome technical skills.
Unpredictable.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Germany vs Argentina PRE Match Thread [R]

as in 86 and 90.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Germany vs Argentina PRE Match Thread [R]

germany is a stronger team then argentina if it was not for the own goal of mexico it would be mexico vs germany but thats the way the balls bounces.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Ger/Swe vs Arg/Mex PRE Match Thread [R]

You are absolutley right, THe overall team spirit and tactics-along with Ballack dropping back which he does so well- helps the defense so much more. They are also growing in confidence.

All that is thrown out the window though when they will face Argentina, it will be nothing like Sweden, Poland etc.

If their previous strategies work and keep out the Argies, I'll certainly be convinced that they can go all the way.

Again, this is a team of youngsters still learning.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Germany vs Argentina PRE Match Thread [R]

I am tired of all the Argentinian haters, I can see it all over the forum, its stupid, why cant you just see the game as a game and accept this team and many other are really good? They have a chance to win and if they have a bit of luck they will. I like Argentina and I dont think they've shown their full potential yet, I think they are ready and I hope to see that sweet team in action this friday.
Argentina did not play very well against Mexico, and at the same time, the latter played very well. The goal scored against would have been a goal anyways, and if the mexican player did something by touching the ball, was making it a less cool goal. That's it, he tried to reach it and take it out, but he couldnt. So yeah, first of all it pissed me off when people desacredite these type of goals, just because someone interferes with the ball.
Second of all, Argentina can play better and will play better, adn the knew all the way long that by being the first team of its group they would have to play germany at some instance, and they are mentally ready. To be the best you have to beat the best, and there is no point to try to evade hard matches to go as far as you can, but without any hope of making it all the way.
My oppinion about the Mexican game is that Argentinian players are first class players, they play strategic football, while Mexicans where all runing behind the ball. Five Mexicans arround the ball all the time. Germany wont play that way. Germany is way more professional and they will play a cleaner, more open game. There wont be too many individual runs, it will be more about passes and using opportunities.
I truly feel there will be several goals, I have no clue how to predict this game, but I've seen that the Argentinians are very psychological, I think if they take the first goal, they'll win.

 

Who is reffing the GERMANY/ARGENTINA game?

Does anyone know who the ref will be for the Germany/Argentina game? For Germany's sake I hope it's no one who might have some kind of "interest" (like an Italian ref who'd rather face Argentina than Germany). I hope we get that guy that everyone has been praising (i forget his name). I'd like to get A Scandanavian ref--they tend to be competent & fair.

Let me know if anyone knows. Thanks

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Germany vs Argentina PRE Match Thread [R]

It should be a cracking game between two good sides. I think Germany may be overmatched. Argentina should edge it as they have stronger attackers. I think only (perhaps) Brazil have more quality attacking players in such depth. Germany have Ballack, Schweinstieger, Klose and Podolski whereas Argentina have Riquelme, Crespo, Tevez, Saviola and Messi. Germany have not got the quality in depth up front - after Klose and Podolsky who can they bring on, Odonkor or Neuville? Argentina have Crespo and Saviola and they can then bring on Messi and Tevez which is frightening.

Argentina are currently favourites to win this tie but the odds are very close. I am really looking forward to this game as two heavyweights will be slugging it out. It could be a classic.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Germany vs Argentina PRE Match Thread [R]

Talentwise Argentina is a much better team than Germany, but I believe the game will be very close. Argentina under Pekerman is very tactical, if they go up by a goal they will slow down and play more defensively, this will allow Germany to get back into the game. Really the way germany is playing now, the teams are very close, that is until Tevez/Messi and Aimar get into the game. Germany's single worst nightmare is speed, need I remind everyone Owen's hat trick a few years back. Tevez, Messi and Saviola all have that kind of speed and in fact their styles match that of Owen and it is this element and these players that will make the difference. Can Germany mark them? I don't think so, they will need to play a lot of offside traps and they will fail from time to time. But even so, Germany has hope, because Argentina when leading will stop playing normally and Germany's attack will be able to break Argentina down. I think it will be a great game, with a couple of lead changes and in the end, the team that goes on the offensive last will get the chance to win. But I doubt it will end after 90 minutes, Germany will hold out and take it into penalties. And we all know about Germany, penalties and the World Cup...

Btw a big key for the match is how Fring will deal with Riquelme, normally I would take Roman everyday but after yesterday's game against Mexico, I'm now not so sure. But hey, as a fan of both Argentina and Germany, I just hope whoever goes through takes the World Cup.

 

Re: Quarterfinals: Official Germany vs Argentina PRE Match Thread [R]

this game is up for grabs. I think a lot of people underestimate Argentina