World Cup: Germany, Argentina engage in war of words

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Given the trash-talking going back and forth between Germany and Argentina ahead of their World Cup quarterfinal Saturday in Cape Town, you’d think both teams were auditioning for the NBA.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm added to the head games Thursday by essentially calling the Argentines hotheads.

‘We have to concentrate on our own game. They are temperamental; we’ll see how they deal with defeat on Saturday,’ Lahm told the Associated Press. ‘They are impulsive, temperamental and they don’t know how to lose.’

Lahm’s comments upped the ante after midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said Wednesday that Argentina showed no respect for opponents and referees. Team manager Oliver Bierhoff then chimed in, saying the Argentines were ‘aggressive’ and ‘provocative’ on the field.

In nearby Pretoria, Argentina Coach Diego Maradona said nerves must be getting to Schweinsteiger.

Laughing during an interview Wednesday night with Fox Sports Argentina, Maradona mockingly asked Schweinsteiger whether he was ‘nervous’ and said his players were looking forward to ‘revenge,’ referring to the teams’ history.

Germany eliminated Argentina on penalty kicks four years ago, also in the quarterfinals, and there were chaotic scenes after the shootout. The two sides exchanged punches and kicks in a fracas that included team officials from both benches.

‘The important thing is that we answer on the field,’ Argentine defender Martin Demichelis said. ‘The best answer is during the game.’

On Thursday, Lahm dismissed Maradona’s suggestion that the Germans were nervous.

‘We are tense but not nervous,’ Lahm said. ‘We are looking forward to the game.’

Bierhoff said he had played with many Argentines and found them to be ‘friendly, warm-hearted people.’

‘But on the pitch they are different. They become aggressive and provocative. We should keep a cool head and concentrate on our own game,’ the former Germany striker said.

Schweinsteiger said the fight after the 2006 quarterfinal match still weighed heavily on his teammates’ minds.

‘When you look at their body language and gesticulations, they way they try to influence the referees, they have no respect,’ Schweinsteiger said. ‘It’s their mentality and character, and we’ll have to adjust.’

-- Kevin Baxter in Johannesburg, South Africa