Argentina striker Sergio Aguero believes the pressure is on opponents Germany to lift a third Fifa World Cup in Sunday’s Maracana final.
The Manchester City player opines two-time champions, Argentina, are however comfortable with the “underdog” tag placed on the team ahead of their first final in 24 years.
“La Albicseleste’ needed the lottery of penalty shootout to overcome the Netherlands in the semi-finals, while Germany had sealed their fate for a first final appearance since 1990 in just 30 minutes, the time it took Joachim Low’s men to register 5 huge goals against hosts Brazil.
“Germany were always the favourites, along with Brazil, to win the World Cup,” Aguero said. “They continue to be so now.
“We need to play our own game and it suits us that all the pressure is on them.”
Aguero returned to coach Alejandro Sabella’s team for the final 40 minutes against Holland on Wednesday, after missing the last 16 and quarter-final matches through injury.
The current Argentina crop are a team with great understanding and a die-hard verve, evident in the manner they stifled out every bit of confidence in Oranje team during their semi-final win.
Were it not for some solid defensive effort from team-mates- notably Javier Mascherano’s clearance of a dreaded Arjen Robben shot from the box in the dying minutes of extra-time- Aguero will not have had the opportunity of making his only salient contribution of the match, scoring from the penalty spot.
The 26-year-old, who would rather admit it takes hard work to return to full fitness in the middle of the World Cup, expects another difficult test against Germany a team accustomed to total football.
“We are in the final and we have to play it and win it in whatever way possible,” said Aguero.
“We want to have control of the ball, but we know that Germany is a great team that know each other off by heart having played together for many years. It is clear that Argentina always go out to win, but sometimes during the game you have to be cautious. We are all aware of what the objective is and we will leave everything on the field to achieve it.”
