Diego Maradona has not given the press any fodder in South Africa.
It’s been one of the most frequently heard complaints at this World Cup: Too many teams have played boring soccer. In South Africa defenders have topped the bill.
However, Saturday’s quarterfinal showdown between Argentina and Germany in Cape Town figures to have more than its fair share of fireworks, only fitting for the Fourth of July weekend in the USA.
The Albiceleste and Die Mannschaft have been the most consistently entertaining teams in the tournament so far.
Argentina has scored more goals than any other side (10), with Germany close behind in second (9).
Anything less than winning the Cup would be considered a failure for the South Americans. If they manage it, Diego Maradona would be the second man (after Franz Beckenbauer) to win as both captain and manager.
The big question mark this time around is the defense. With embarrassing performances during qualifying, like a 6-1 road thrashing in Bolivia and a 3-1 loss to Brazil at home, Martin Demichelis, Gabriel Heinze and Nicolas Otamendi had better step up their play or the Albiceleste will be in for a long afternoon.
Maradona has been panned for questionable tactical decisions and foul-mouthed rants to the press. But the Argentine coach has not yet made a wrong step in South Africa and is quite literally, the darling of the World Cup.
Despite all the pre-cup hand-wringing, Germany reached the ’02 Final and the ’06 semis, dropping the latter to eventual ’06 champ Italy in extra time. Since then, another unheralded German side finished runner-up to Spain at Euro 2008.
Impenetrable on defense and ruthlessly efficient in attack, Die Mannschaft combine technical skill, strategy and some of the most physically imposing players on the planet in a 4-2-2 set.
Miroslav Klose is Germany’s main scoring threat, but keep an eye on attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil.
Argentina has reached the quarterfinals despite the fact that Lionel Mesi, generally regarded as the biggest star on this World Cup stage, has yet to score a goal despite launching 11 attempts on net.
Gonzalo Higuain (four goals) and Carlos Tevez (two goals) have taken up the slack. Tevez scored two magnificent goals in the last round against Mexico, while Higuain is the tournament’s top scorer heading into the round of eight.
Argentina has only one win over Germany at the World Cup Odds, in the 1986 final when Maradona was still playing. Overall, in soccer’s ultimate test, the teams have met five times and twice in the final.
Germany eliminated Argentina on penalty kicks four years ago at the same stage and there were chaotic scenes after the shootout, with both sides exchanging punches and kicks.
ABC will broadcast Saturday's match beginning at 7 a.m. PT.