Loew pulls off another tactical coup

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP):

Germany had a perfect game plan to defeat Argentina and the ideal man to implement it.

Coach Joachim Loew devised a masterful tactical strategy to take advantage of Argentina's defensive weaknesses, and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger steered his team with vision and precision that earned him the player-of-the-match honours in Germany's 4-0 World Cup quarter-final victory yesterday.

"It was a grandiose game from Bastian," Loew said. "The work he put in, the distance he covered, how he led the team in organisation, nearly every attack originated from him. And he had a great assist.

"There are few midfielders today who are playing at his level."

Schweinsteiger's cross from a free kick allowed Thomas Mueller to head Germany's opening goal in the third minute. And Schweinsteiger's weaving run through the slow-footed Argentine defence led to defender Arne Friedrich's goal - Germany's third - to put the outcome beyond doubt.

Goose bumps

Loew knew it too, running along the touchline and jumping wildly as his players celebrated one of their most impressive wins in recent years.

"I really have goose bumps. We've beaten two strong teams and we've already come far," Schweinsteiger said. "Great compliments to the team. We were tactically very good and we scored at the right time. Argentina are one of the best teams in the world."

A big part of Loew's plan was to negate the threat of Lionel Messi.

"I was not surprised by Argentina's line-up or their game," Loew said. "We analysed their game and we knew what to expect. We knew that Messi would play deeper in the midfield and we managed to take him out of the game.

"He was always under pressure and we did not foul him or give up many fouls."