DHAKA: Germans have advanced tiki taka – the modern science of soccer and Argentina is beholding the art and artistry of the Beautiful Game.
When European Power House Germany will lock horns tonight against South American Superpower Power Argentina in dream World Cup Final it will be a classic contest of the Argentine art against German science.
I will not dare tell the beauty up against the brutes. But nevertheless best football of two contrasting style will be generating lightening sparks. For Germany it will be time to enter history as being the first European team winning the world cup from South America.
For Argentina winning it from Brazilian soil will also become a dream scenario. It presents an opportunity for both for taking revenge against each other.
Germans have already put paid to Brazilian HEXA dream with humiliating 7-1 defeat. Argentina now faces the daunting task of upholding the South American pride against very mobile and energetic European Power football playing team. Brazil’s fierce rivals now find themselves in a rather enviable position of silencing the home crowd at the Maracana on Sunday.
Argentina has last won World Cup beating West Germany 3-2 at the Aztec Stadium Mexico City in 1986. West Germany beat Argentina 1-0 in Italy in 1990 to win the cup. Tomorrow morning Bangladesh Standard time marks the third out of the last eight World Cups to be decided by these two teams, and here are three reasons why it promises to be a fascinating contest .
A. Messi X Factor Vs Mueller –Kolse Goal Machines
The Barcelona talisman has had to endure heavy criticism in the past over his allegiance to Argentina, given that he has spent half of his life living in Spain. But, as always, the 27-year-old does his talking on the pitch. He had always struggled to make an impression at World Cup tournaments, scoring just once before at the 2006 World Cup. However, Messi has reveled in his role as captain with four goals for Argentina, as well as creating opportunities for his team-mates, and Sunday's final is his opportunity to finally silence those critics who claimed he could never match up to Diego Maradona. 
He is Centre of this team, there is doubt about that, and if he plays to his optimum level, Germany will be in for a long evening in Rio de Janeiro.
On the other hand Mueller and Kolse are opportunist sharp shooters and are in great scoring form. There is no question about Messi Class but at the same time the ability of Mueller –Klose goal scoring cannot be overlooked. Mueller is among the top scorer of the tournament and Klose has already entered into history book replacing Ronaldo of Brazil as the all-time highest goal getter in world cup. If Argentine defence gives any space, these two German soldiers will punish them.
B. Strong Defence of Both Teams
Both teams have sound defence, while German defence has not come under strong tests as their aggressive attacking football did allow opponents much opportunity to test their defence. Yet they are strong and even aggressive to participate in their fluid attacking football.
Argentina has discovered that when the goals have dried up, it's probably best to shore up the backline. Sabella's teams have always adopted a somewhat conservative style in order to secure victory, but there's something methodical about the way Argentina have gone about defending their goal in the World Cup so far.
Just three goals have squeezed past Sergio Romero so far, and while the Sampdoria stopper has enjoyed a surprisingly fruitful tournament, the likes of Ezequiel Garay and Javier Mascherano have been solid as a rock. Argentina's ability to stand firm when weathering the storm has been crucial so far in the tournament. It will be an interesting battle between Argentine defence against relentless German attack.
Main task of German defence will be drying up ball supply to Messi and closing his space of operation. A moment of Messi magic will turn the balance in Argentine favor. Messi may still find a way to feed Di Maria and Higuain with defence splitting passes with his razor sharp left book. For German defence much better will be zonal marking than trying to lock space of Messi.
C. Never Say Die Attitude
The never say die attitude of both the team will take the contest to another level. Germans always play to win as they are extremely proud nation. They never give up without fighting to the last. Argentina in this world cup has shown extreme tenacity and endurance. Most of their matches have gone down to the wire and team kept plugging away. They won all their group matches, pre quarter and quarter final by the barest of margin. Even the semifinal went to tie breakers. Even if any side goes behind early it is rest assured that it will fight back with all they have to recover.
The teams have entered the final in completely two contrasting way. Germans have buried host Brazils dream through a punishing huge margin the widest of Brazilian history. Argentina on the other hand just survived the strong challenge of a very spirited Netherlands side holding them goals over 120 minutes and overcoming them only just in the penalty shoot out . In the past teams reaching final through crawling and limping appeared with all guns blazing in the final. If that is the case then Argentina will have the edge. Moreover, it may be a case that Germans peaked a bit early and may drop off.
But all such expectations , concerns , anxieties will be put to rest in 13 hours from the time when World Soccer will greet the World Cup Champion 2014. Let the better team of the day win. We predict a high scoring super drama.
BDST: 1515 HRS, JUL 13, 2014
