Argentina Could Light Up The Maracana In Rio

(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

The 'Zeitgeist' (Spirit of the time) has seen many people flock to get behind the black, red and yellow of Germany, what with them having putting on a footballing clinic in the hosts backyard. Many would put the traumatic experience sorely down to Germany, their efficiency, ruthlessness and craft, in going through Brazil like a knife through butter. 

On the other side of the fence, there is a collection of men from Buenos Aires who have that will in them to win. They have a knack of getting across the finishing line, being resolute in defence, feisty in midfield and lethal up front, the Argentinians have ingredients necessary to spoil the German bratwurst and lager party throughout biergartens in Munich and Berlin. 

So who will come out on top then?

Berlin, known quite a bit for it 'Schuhplattler' dance, a style of dance where the focus is on getting the rhythm spot on, being in sync with time much like clockwork, and keeping in context the ability which one possesses. A tonne of work and training is required to perfect it, and if pulled off, is tough to match. It however, rarely excites its audience. 

How these three play will determine Argentina's success.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

Buenos Aires has the ever magnificent 'tango', relying a lot on speed, both of movement and thought, and heavily as well on emotion. Technique and a whole lot of zest is required to perfect the Argentine tango, and one of the very few styles which requires pure skill instead of a focus on hard work and training. 

The Schuhplattler and Tango are perfect analogies of what the German and Argentinian sides are, and they couldn't be more different. Truth be told, this German side aren't really as good as people believe them to be, putting aside the game against Brazil. So close to being knocked out against Algeria, drawing against Ghana, and narrowly beating France, it was more down to Brazil losing their heads due to a blackout, rather than Germany displaying football brilliance. 

These lot when pushed, can crumble. Ghana and Algeria proved it.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

De Nationalelf are very good at retaining the football, but have proven to be vulnerable when teams get at them, provide them with a physical contest. Ghana and Algeria did that, and came ever so close to succeeding. 

This bunch of tango stars from Argentina will not submit without a fight against Die Manschaaft, as they will harry, chase and even resort to kicking their opponents tonight, maybe even bending the rules. But they also know how to tango with the ball at their feet. It's not only Messi they have to deal with. There is Angel di Maria on one flank, Ezekiel Lavezzi on the other, and Gonzalo Higuain at the tip of that fearsome foursome. 

His 'sweeping' could be key tonight against the speedy merchants.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

It could turn out to be a Bayern Munich v Real Madrid match tonight, as the style of play of these teams are similar to the club sides. Germany will rely on possession, as barring Oezil and Muller, they lack pace not only in offence, but defence too. Argentina have in their armoury, lots of pace to burn. With Javier Mascherano and Pablo Zabaleta, there is steel in this side too. 

He hasn't scored yet, but Aguero has a knack of popping up with a winner.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

In the World Cups since 1998, teams with the better defensive record in the run-into the final have gone on to win it, barring Germany in 2002. France (1998), Italy (2006), Spain (2010) have all won not so much on attacking prowess, but retaining the ball, and sometimes hitting teams on the break. Argentina have done that, and till now let in only 3 goals to Germany's 4. Not a lot, but it comes down to fine margins in a final. 

La Albiceleste got the gold in 1986, Germany rebounded in 1990. In 2014, in Brazil, in the Maracana, the Argentinians would love to do it in the backyard of their fierce rivals. And if they tango with finesse and effervescence, blue and white confetti might just rain in Rio. 

My take: Argentina 2-0 Germany