Maxi gives Argentines wake up call

Jun 26, 2006, 17:51 GMT

Herzogenaurach, Germany - Maxi Rodriguez, whose wonder goal knocked Mexico out of the World Cup, has warned his Argentina team- mates not to be caught napping against Germany in Friday's quarter- final in Berlin.

Sweden never got back into their second round clash with Germany after they conceded two goals in the first 12 minutes and admitted they had been caught off guard by the high-powered German attacks.

'We have to be on the front foot from the very first minute. We can't afford to let the Germans get off to a start like that,' Rodriguez said of the way the Sweden defence was repeatedly drawn out of position in the first half.

The Atletico Madrid striker, who has now scored three goals in the tournament, said Germany must be considered favourites for the match which renews the World Cup rivalry between the two countries. Argentina beat West Germany in the 1986 final but lost the 1990 final to the Germans.

But he added: 'But it still comes down to 11 versus 11 and if we find form we can beat Germany quite easily.

And he was expecting an open game.

'I don't believe Germany will try to hit us on the break. They're a side that likes to attack and we should see a very open game with lots of movement.'

But he believes Germany's tactics are fairly predictable.

'And we don't plan to lose our shape as we did against Mexico,' he said when the double world champions were forced into extra-time before Rodriguez chested down a Juan Pablo Sorin cross to volley a breathtaking winner.