Germany Digs Are A Mark Of Respect - Argentina Defender Martin Demichelis

The centre-back has claimed that the German comments over Argentina's behaviour on the pitch only show that the Nationalelf are afraid of their quarter-final opponents...

By Stefan Coerts
Jul 2, 2010 12:49:00 PM

Germany lock horns with Argentina on Saturday in what promises to be an exciting 2010 World Cup quarter-final. Germany stars Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger hit out at the Albiceleste earlier this week, stating that Argentinians are bad losers and that they behave disrespectfully toward their opponents.

Argentine centre back Martin Demichelis has now responded to those accusations by saying that the German comments are a sign that the Nationalelf are afraid of their opponents and that it's their way of showing respect.

"It's an act of nervousness or respect, but I think it's respect. For having beaten them in the international friendly earlier this year they respect us more, for our history," Demichelis was quoted as saying by reporters.

"Many people devalue our victory and our performance in the 1-0 friendly win in March. But this Germany side is the same despite three changes and these same Argentine players are those who beat Germany.

"I hope we can repeat what we did in that match because Germany did not trouble us. We'll try to keep the ball from them and control it with the good players we have."


http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/07/02/2006042/world-cup-2010-germany-digs-are-a-mark-of-respect-argentina