Sabella: Argentina need to be perfect against Germany

By Ben Hayward at the Maracana

Alejandro Sabella believes that Argentina will need to play "the perfect match" to beat Germany in Sunday's World Cup final.

The Albiceleste overcame Netherlands in a penalty shootout on Wednesday after a goalless 120 minutes in Sao Paulo to set up a date in Rio de Janeiro with Germany, who thrashed hosts Brazil 7-1 in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.

Sabella insists that his side cannot take any risks when they face Joachim Low's men, telling reporters: "We have to play a great match against Germany. We will need to cover spaces, occupy spaces and not take risks in areas where you can't take chances.

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"Physically and tactically speaking, Germany have always been an extremely powerful team and they are one of the teams that have won the most titles. They have a very defined system of play, they are very direct, very strong, they pass the ball between the lines, use diagonal balls and get the full-backs forward on the flanks.

"We need to play the perfect match."

Sabella refused to discuss his future after quotes from his agent suggested that Sunday's match would be his last as Argentina boss, insistent that the only thing that mattered was his side's clash against Germany.

"I have not discussed anything with my family as regards my future," he declared. "It's not at all relevant right now. What's relevant is the World Cup final.

"From a professional point of view, this is most important thing in my career, even more than the final of the Copa Libertadores, which was also here in Brazil."

Angel Di Maria trained in Rio on Saturday but Sabella refused to reveal whether the Real Madrid winger would play a part on Sunday following his recent thigh injury.

"Tomorrow we'll see," he said. "At the moment I can't say anything about that."