German striker Ozil keen to upstage Argentine superstar to whom he owes his nickname
German striker Ozil keen to upstage Argentine superstar to whom he owes his nickname
Mesut Ozil is determined to upstage Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, in whose honour he has been nicknamed, by leading Germany into the World Cup semi-finals tonight.
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Ozil has been dubbed "Messi" by his German teammates, because of the way the Germany-born midfielder of Turkish parentage has terrorised defences since his debut in February 2009.
"Yes, many in the team call me Messi," Ozil told German daily Bild ahead of the match at Green Point Stadium.
"That's my nickname. I want to beat Messi and we want to beat Argentina as a team. I am convinced that we will beat them. So you can bet on us." But Ozil admitted thatu00a0 Germany's young guns, with an average age of just under 25, "could find it tough to beat Argentina and we must not be provoked."
Argentina vs Germany: Key battles
Thomas Mueller vs Gabriel Heinze
With two goals against England, Mueller has struck top form, and Argentina's Heinze could just struggle to control him.
Lionel Messi vs Jerome Boateng
German defender Boateng has the almost impossible task of controlling Messi, who's been one of the stars of the tournament.
Team news
Unlikely that coach Joachim Low will make any changes with no injuriesu00a0 reported or suspensions either.
Probable XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Boateng; Khedira, Schweinstiger; Mueller, Ozil, Podolski; Klose
Key players: Ozil, Podolski, Klose
Team news
Injured Walter Samuel may return. Also, coach Diego Maradona may field midfielder Javier Pastor.
Probable XI (4-3-1-2): Romero; Otamendi, Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze; Rodriguez, Mascherano, Di Maria; Messi; Tevez, Higuain.
Key players: Messi, Tevez, Higuain
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