Argentina are studying Germany’s penalty techniques ahead of their World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, goalkeeper Sergio Romero said.
Diego Maradona’s side are hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2006 quarterfinals, when Germany beat Argentina 4-2 in a shootout.
Jens Lehmann stopped spot kicks from Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso that day after consulting a cheat sheet of the Argentine penalty takers and the direction they usually took their kicks.
Romero said on Monday that was a “smart move” by the Germans, and said Argentina have copied that tactic by studying videos of how their opponents take penalties.
“This time we have to be well prepared for everything,” Romero said. “In that moment it was a very smart move on their part, saving a piece of paper to know who was going to take the kick.”
While Argentina have added Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain to their starting line-up, Germany’s traditional strengths have been supplemented by an injection of young players since the meeting four years ago. “Germany have tall and powerful players who go up for all the corners and free kicks,” Romero said, adding that striker Lukas Podolski “has a great shot” while Mesut Oezil “chases down every ball and never gives anything up”. — AP