Germany has identified Lionel Messi is the biggest difference to the Argentina team it beat on penalties four years ago in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Germany midfielder Sami Khedira said that only a collective effort can contain the man he calls “the best player in the world” when the teams meet at the same stage on Saturday in Cape Town.
“You can’t shut him down for the entire match and you have to try to contain him with a collective effort,” Khedira said.
Khedira is only too well aware of what the Argentina star is capable of producing, having gotten a close look when his Stuttgart club faced Messi’s Barcelona in the Champions League.
Messi scored twice and set up another goal to lead Barcelona to a 4-0 win over Stuttgart and a 5-1 aggregate score.
Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who is expected to play his 100th international against Argentina, said both teams have been revamped since the stormy quarterfinal clash in 2006 when tempers flared and punches were exchanged after the shootout.
“I know they can take revenge for 2006, but it’s a different team now. Lionel Messi was on the bench then,” Klose said. “We’ve changed a lot too. Still, when you look at the names, on paper Argentina is simply better.
“But it’s what happens on the field that matters. It’s how you come out as a team.”
Klose is the oldest starter in Germany’s squad - the country’s second youngest ever at a World Cup - but the striker believes it has the right blend to repeat its 2006 quarterfinal victory.
“We have a good balance between young and experienced, and we have the quality to beat Argentina,” the 32-year-old Bayern Munich striker said.
Thomas Mueller, who leads Germany with three goals and who is growing into a star at age 20, believes Argentina has defensive weakness Germany could exploit.
Argentina defender Martin Demichelis has looked vulnerable and Mueller and Klose are bound to know the weaknesses in their Bayern teammate.
“Argentina’s offence is world class but they have some defensive deficits as seen against Mexico,” Mueller said.
“We have to believe in ourselves and we are all pulling together. This determination gives us mental strength to overcome difficulties,” he said.
