German Machine grinds Argentines

"Neither team deserved to lose" - this was the headline of the encounter between Germany and Argentina, by Josef Venglos on FIFAWorldcup.com but nigeriasports.com says: "There must be a winner."

"This game was the definitive clash of the titans. Before the game, general opinion was that this would be the outstanding quarter-final match-up, and it lived up to those lofty expectations. It was a great encounter, with some scintillating passages of play. It was a battle in every respect, physically, psychologically and tactically."this was the game in the eyes of Josef Venglos on FIFAworldcup.com

Venglos continued:"The two sides played the same basic system, but with variations in style. In the first half, Argentina took hold of the match, enjoying an impressive 65% of possession. On top of that, their strikers were always ready to use their blistering pace to unsettle the Germany defence. Germany, on the other hand, played a more rigid system, always looking to get down the flanks, although this was an area that Jose Pekerman’s team defended very well.

"In the second half, Roberto Ayala’s goal changed the whole dynamic of the game. Argentina sat back, and Germany took advantage, releasing full-back Philipp Lahm down their left channel. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann then made a clever substitution, bringing on David Odonkor to balance things up on the right.

"It was at this point that Michael Ballack imposed his talent on proceedings, spurring his team on time and time again in spite of carrying a knock. Germany stole the game back from Argentina with a Herculean effort, and it was Ballack who eventually made the difference. His astute delivery from a free-kick eventually fell to Miroslav Klose, who did what he does best, and drew his team level.

"From then until the end of the game, and also in extra time, Argentina once again got hold of possession, moving the ball around their midfield diamond. Germany tried to play on the counter-attack, and always looked dangerous.

"In the penalty shoot-out, nerves are a huge factor, and given today’s result, you have to say that the Germans kept their heads better than the Argentinians. Ballack’s penalty summed up his team’s performance. Brave and resilient, he stepped up to convert his spot-kick even though his earlier injury was still bothering him. It’s for this reason that we have chosen him as Budweiser Man of the Match, ahead of Philipp Lahm and Torsten Frings, who also played extremely well.

"It was a shame that Roberto Ayala missed his penalty in the shoot-out. He did not deserve that fate, because he had been one of the best players on the pitch. Undoubtedly, it’s a pity that this match had to end that way, because it was one of those games in which nobody deserves to lose. But for the fans, it was a tremendous spectacle,"he regretted.

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German Machine grinds Argentines

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