Germany coach Joachim Loew on Friday cooled down an escalating war of words with Argentina, saying his team respected their World Cup quarterfinal opponents.
German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger on Wednesday launched a tirade against the South Americans as he recalled the 2006 quarterfinal between the two teams in Germany, which ended in an unseemly brawl after the Europeans won on penalties.
He said that a lack of respect and a desire to provoke opponents was ingrained in the Argentine mentality, and even had a go at their fans.
Loew was more circumspect.
“I never thought it (the match) was unfair or violent ... I don’t think there was unfair play,” he told journalists ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Cape Town’s Green Point stadium.
“The Argentines are passionate, they fight hard, they are very committed — that is just the Argentines’ mentality.” While Loew indicated that the Germans had “great respect” for Argentina, he did say they were a physical side who always pushed it to the limit on the pitch.
Defender Jerome Boateng was also diplomatic, saying that he had not seen any unsporting play from Argentina in South Africa.
“As Joachim already said, they fight hard on the one-to-ones, but they’re not unfair,” he said.
The soft approach may have come too late, as Schweinsteiger’s comments have already handed Diego Maradona ammunition to motivate his team.
The footballing legend, now bossing the national side, said he believed that the midfielder’s comments showed Germany was running scared.
“Each game has its own story and we’re going to beat Germany in their own half, and this is what makes him nervous,” he said.
“What’s up with Schweinsteiger? Is he nervous?” he added in a bad German accent.
Neutrals are looking forward to the tantalising prospect of two fired-up attacking sides going for the jugular in Green Point stadium. The proud footballing nations have been the two most-entertaining sides at a sometimes dull tournament.
Loew said he expected both teams to “go for goals”, but he faces injury concerns over two of his forwards.
Lukas Podolski missed training on Thursday with a muscle problem, and Loew said he would see how the forward reacts to training on Friday before making a decision. Brazilian-born striker Cacau is less likely to play, as he has not trained for several days, Loew said.
“It will be quite difficult to get him ready for tomorrow,” Loew said.
However, the prolific Miroslav Klose — top scorer in the 2006 World Cup — is expected to take to the field and gain his 100th cap.
