Netherlands vs Argentina World Cup 2014 reaction: 'Germany will be full of themselves' - Diego Maradona gives his verdict on Sunday's final

Maradona also put his differences with Sergio Aguero to one side

Charles Reynolds
Thursday 10 July 2014 14:44 BST
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Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona believes that Argentina could benefit from an overconfidence in the German team following their extraordinary semi-final win over Brazil.

The Argentine legend was speaking about the German chances in the final on his program 'De Zurda' on Venezuelan television.

"They are, as we say, full of themselves," he said. "That is better for Argentina."

Germany stunned the hosts Brazil 7-1 in the first semi-final, while Argentina required a penalty shootout to overcome the Netherlands after their match ended 0-0.

However Maradona, who beat Germany in the final to win in 1986 and lost a final to them in 1990, believes that they are not an unbeatable opponent.

"Germany are not impossible," he said.

Paraphrasing Carlos Bilardo's infamous quote about his World Cup winning 1986 team, Maradona said that Argentina were "Mascherano and ten others" as he praised their fight and in particular the performance of the central midfielder against the Dutch.

Maradona even had positive words for his former son-in-law Sergio Aguero, despite the souring of relations between him and his daughter Gianinna.

"On the pitch I love him and I love him very much," he said.

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