World Cup Final: Argentina v Germany 13/07/2014, Maracana

HEAD TO HEAD:

Argentina Wins 9 Germany Wins 7 Draws 4

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA)


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So at the end of what has been the best World Cup since 1986 fuelled in part perhaps by being in Brazil, the colour of the South Americn fans, defenders that lack in quality and the conditions comes the final between two of the giants of world football.

Between the two sides are five world titles and thirteen finals appearances but for sides that have an impressive amount of silverware in the trophy cabinet the last two decades have been a period of famine. Argentina may have won two Olympic titles, a host of u20 World Cups but the last cup at senior level was the Copa America in 1993. A run that is mind boggling considering the players that have emerged from the country during this period. Partly it has been down to bad luck but more a case of critical errors at the wrong time.

Germany last won a major title in 1990 in controversial circumstances and went into decline but unlike the FA here the DFB ordered a thoroughly analytical report into the state of youth football and coaching found it lagging behind and ordered a sweeping change. Not just in coaching methods, but coaching qualifications and numbers and the way clubs in the league system had a duty to produce young players.

The clubs unlike those here did not baulk at the suggestions took them on board realizing the benefits of producing their own high quality players. And how that production line has swung into action. The current squad may be populated by youngsters but several others were on the fringes of the squad like Pierre-Michel Lasogga and others like Max Meyer and Maximilian Arnold will surely be in the national side by the time the European Championships of 2016 come around.

To cap the flowering of all these talents a win in the World Cup would be a crowning glory perhaps setting up another era of German domination in Europe after the near misses in 2010 and 2012.

Youth development in contrast in Argentina is still an amateur affair with coaches doing it more for the love of the game, the best kids from the multitude of boys teams entering into the senior club academies at a relatively late age but despite this approach the conveyor belt of talent also runs deep with several youngsters likely to break into the senior side after this tournament is over. Players like Matias Kranevitter deemed better than Mascherano at the same age and others like Angel Correa who will be plying his trade for Atletico next season.

There is not much love lost between the two teams particularly in light of the events in recent years whereas for example Argentina and Holland share a mutual admiration nothing can be further from the case when these two sides meet.

The first encounter in the finals was in 1958 in the group stages. Argentina having forgotten their away kit had to use the kits of local side IFK Malmo. Germany won the game 3-1 thanks to two of their legends Helmut Rahn and Uwe Seeler , while Argentina who had beaten Brazil 3-0 in the 1957 Copa America had lost many players who were banned by the AFA after choosing to play in Europe like Omar Sivori.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAowAuB2hiI​

1966 saw both teams play each other again in the group stages a 0-0 draw being the result.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X19Eqh5p95g​

It was another twenty years before the two sides encountered each other in a memorable final in Mexico City in 1986. Argentina surrendered a 2-0 lead to late goals from the Germans before Maradona sent Burrachaga away to outpace Briegel and fire past Schumacher to secure their second title.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6KoBwPx_KA

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Revenge was served four years later in Italy. With Maradona hampered by an ankle injury, Caniggia suspended a dive won the Cup for Germany. There were several controversial decisions in the match including the non award of a penalty for a clear foul on Calderon in the box, the sending off of Monzon after a theatrical dive from Klinsmann. Brehme who scored the winning penalty later admitted Voller admitted he had dived and the referee Codesal intimated he had been under instruction from Havelange to make sure Argentina did not win what was a dreary final and dreary tournament.

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Argentina flair once again met German organization in the quarterfinal stages of 2006 and 2010. In the former Argentina dominated the match (managed by Jose Pekerman who has instilled a similar style of football with Colombia) leading through a Roberto Ayala header only for the removal of Juan Riqueleme by Pekerman to allow the Germans to gain a foothold in the game and ultimately win the game on penalties. The end of the match was marred by a off pitch brawl sparked by comments from Bierhoff directed towards Pekerman and allegedly anti semitic in nature.

2010 was an embarrassment of another kind as Diego Maradona managed to achieve a Scolari with his choice of players (omitting Zanetti and Cambiasso) and formation playing two wingers in midfield and a player with no international experience at right back whose natural role was centreback. Two late goals completed a 4-0 triumph for Germany and provides no end of incentive for the Argentine team to overcome.Eight Argentinians and eleven Germans remain from that particular fixture.

In the interim Argentina have scored a couple of victories in friendlies in Germany 1-0 and 3-1 with many of the players playing tomorrow having played in both. Familiarity and frequent encounters in the Champions League may lead to some sterility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6KoBwPx_KA

ROAD TO THE FINAL:

Argentina P6 5W 1D 0L F8 A3

2-1 W v. Bosnia
1-0 W v. Iran
3-2 W v. Nigeria
1-0 W v. Switzerland (R16) AET
1-0 W v. Belgium (QF)
0-0 D v. Netherlands (4-2 PKs) AET (SF)

Top Scorer: Lionel Messi (4 goals)

Germany P6 5W 1D 0L F17 A4
4-0 W v. Portugal
2-2 D v. Ghana
1-0 W v. United States
2-1 W v. Algeria (R16) AET
1-0 W v. France (QF)
7-1 W v. Brazil (SF)

Top Scorer: Thomas Muller (5 goals)
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After the semi finals it all seems to be a foregone conclusion that the Germans need only to turn up tomorrow to take the trophy. Their strengths have been Neuer and the way they have dominated their knock out matches now that Lahm has moved to right back and the removal of Mertesacker from the back line.

Crisp possession and fluid movement coupled with a high press to force opponents to pass from deep with little quality have been in evidence in recent games. Playing a 4-2-3-1 sees Muller move up out wide to provide an extra attacker. And against Brazil Khedira performed a similar role in the huge gaps left in the channels between the Brazilian centrebacks and fullbacks. The midfield is also extremely fluid with players interchanging with comfort aided by the fact they all play together at Bayern or have done so in the past.

Weaknesses remain the form of Ozil even in the rout of Brazil he was far from effective. Hummels if he fails to recover from tendonitis will be a big miss compared to Mertesacker especially if they continue to play a high line Argentina have the forwards with the pace and skill to exploit this.

Howedes is still far from comfortable at right back and Low in recent matches has preferred to use them primarily in a defensive role. They do have the benefits of an extra day of rest which becomes a bonus if they score first. The confidence boost of smashing Brazil will also no doubt lift their play.

Argentina on the other hand have been decried all tournament for failing to entertain as expected. Partly this is down to teams getting ten behind the ball fearful of Messi and company although Nigeria, Belgium to a degree did come out and try to play. And the common line in the media has been Argentina are just ten players plus Messi. This is not only incredibly inaccurate but also insulting to the other members of the team.

Sabella an astute tactician has had to managed his resources. Higuain came into the tournament after a month long layoff with injury and showed it. Aguero was and remains not fully match sharp or fit and Messi and di Maria have looked tired at times and now it is most unlikely di Maria will even feature in the final.

After some sketchy performances Sabella has changed the midfield. Bringing in Perez and Biglia has brought more balance, fresh legs and has lessened the burden on Mascherano and Zabaleta and the defence. So effectively has Mascherano and company screened the defence they have kept Belgium and Holland to a bare minimum of chances. Useful considering who is in goal. But even there Romero has exceeded expectations and grown in confidence approaching the sort of form he was at Alkmaar when he was rated as one of the best young keepers in Europe.

Mascherano is the undoubted unsung hero for his leadership and organizational skills on the pitch and probably the best defensive midfielder in the world. And it is not as if Argentina have not tried to win games. For most of their matches they have tried to carry the game to the opposition including Argentina where they had the better chances.

Game management as with the Germans has been excellent and now tomorrow provides an opportunity for revenge, a fitting tribute to Alfredo di Stefano and for Messi to cement his place in the pantheon. The focus will be on Messi. He has provided crucial moments of inspiration but still looks to be carrying something mentally or physically although he has had to cope with being double even triple marked in matches. There are no second chances and Leo must grab the game and give it his utmost along with his team mates to try and secure what would be a win that would be all the sweeter for having won in Brazil. The same sort of effort that saw Maradona take games by the scruff of the neck and impose his own personality on them. Messi as yet has not done this.

Argentina need as they did against Holland and Belgium impose their possession style from the first and minimize space in midfield and then use Perez and Lavezzi to attack the German fullbacks out wide. One thing is certain they will not be like Brazil whose organization was shambolic with fullbacks halfway up the pitch, a defensive leader who was anything but and a pair of defensive midfielders who neither pressed players or closed space and allowed Oscar and Bernard to be smothered with no useful supply.

Fred and Hulk may as well not have played for their lack of movement and effort. Also crucial is the first goal. Argentina have never been behind for a minute at this tournament as with Germany. Mental strength, coolness and discipline to going behind will therefore also be crucial. Something which caused a mental implosion and sapped the Brazilian players of any confidence and belief on Tuesday. No doubt Fessi and Battochio will be cheering their compatriots with unrestrained fervour at the training camp.

Argentina celebrate at the end of the penalty shoot win against Holland:



A scoreline for the ages:


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