<p>The footballing legend cut his usual jovial figure, exchanging banter with journalists, until asked what Saturday's quarter-final in Cape Town's Green Point stadium means to his countrymen. Then he turned deadly serious.<br /><br />"I will tell them (my players) they have to leave their lives on the pitch," he said. "Behind them is a whole country that hasn't enjoyed a (World Cup) victory for a long time."<br />"The Argentinian people depend on this team to be able to get up in the morning with a smile on their faces," he added.<br /><br />The two-time champions haven't won the World Cup since Maradona, in his playing pomp, inspired them to a 3-2 victory over West Germany in 1986.<br /><br />The Germans gained revenge with a victory over Maradona and his teammates in 1990, then knocked the South Americans out on penalties at the quarter-final stage in Germany 2006.<br /><br />Maradona, whose leadership was questioned when Argentina struggled to qualify, now has his team playing fluent football as he transmits his passion and winning touch to his charges.<br /><br />But despite the exit of Brazil at the hands of the Netherlands earlier in the day, he refused to accept that his side - very impressive so far - were the new favourites.<br /><br />Nor would he drawn into making further comments about German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who Wednesday launched a tirade against the South Americans.<br /><br />Schweinsteiger recalled the 2006 quarter-final, which ended in an unseemly brawl, as he accused the Argentinians of a lack of respect and trying to provoke opponents.<br /><br />Maradona had previously mocked the midfielder, saying he seemed nervous, but would only say Friday he was completely focused on Argentina.<br /><br />Neutrals were expecting a cracking game between two free-scoring sides.<br />Argentina, with Lionel Messi backed up by the deadly Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez, have scored 10 goals - handing out a 4-1 spanking to South Korea in the process.<br /><br />The young German side - with an average age of 25 - boasts fewer star names, but was hugely impressive when trouncing Australia 4-0 in the group stages and England 4-1 in the Round of 16.<br /><br />However, Maradona was not too impressed with the victory over England.<br />"Let's not recall that Germany beat England 4-1, that's a bit of lie," he said. "England made it very easy for Germany."<br /><br />Star man Messi missed training through a cold Friday, but Maradona said he would play Saturday and be given free reign to unlock the German defence.<br /><br />"Players like Messi, if you put them in box, you hurt their freshness ... you have to give them freedom," he said.<br /><br />The winner of Saturday's game will go on to a semi-final tie against either Spain or Paraguay in Durban July 7.</p>
<p>The footballing legend cut his usual jovial figure, exchanging banter with journalists, until asked what Saturday's quarter-final in Cape Town's Green Point stadium means to his countrymen. Then he turned deadly serious.<br /><br />"I will tell them (my players) they have to leave their lives on the pitch," he said. "Behind them is a whole country that hasn't enjoyed a (World Cup) victory for a long time."<br />"The Argentinian people depend on this team to be able to get up in the morning with a smile on their faces," he added.<br /><br />The two-time champions haven't won the World Cup since Maradona, in his playing pomp, inspired them to a 3-2 victory over West Germany in 1986.<br /><br />The Germans gained revenge with a victory over Maradona and his teammates in 1990, then knocked the South Americans out on penalties at the quarter-final stage in Germany 2006.<br /><br />Maradona, whose leadership was questioned when Argentina struggled to qualify, now has his team playing fluent football as he transmits his passion and winning touch to his charges.<br /><br />But despite the exit of Brazil at the hands of the Netherlands earlier in the day, he refused to accept that his side - very impressive so far - were the new favourites.<br /><br />Nor would he drawn into making further comments about German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who Wednesday launched a tirade against the South Americans.<br /><br />Schweinsteiger recalled the 2006 quarter-final, which ended in an unseemly brawl, as he accused the Argentinians of a lack of respect and trying to provoke opponents.<br /><br />Maradona had previously mocked the midfielder, saying he seemed nervous, but would only say Friday he was completely focused on Argentina.<br /><br />Neutrals were expecting a cracking game between two free-scoring sides.<br />Argentina, with Lionel Messi backed up by the deadly Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez, have scored 10 goals - handing out a 4-1 spanking to South Korea in the process.<br /><br />The young German side - with an average age of 25 - boasts fewer star names, but was hugely impressive when trouncing Australia 4-0 in the group stages and England 4-1 in the Round of 16.<br /><br />However, Maradona was not too impressed with the victory over England.<br />"Let's not recall that Germany beat England 4-1, that's a bit of lie," he said. "England made it very easy for Germany."<br /><br />Star man Messi missed training through a cold Friday, but Maradona said he would play Saturday and be given free reign to unlock the German defence.<br /><br />"Players like Messi, if you put them in box, you hurt their freshness ... you have to give them freedom," he said.<br /><br />The winner of Saturday's game will go on to a semi-final tie against either Spain or Paraguay in Durban July 7.</p>
