Aguero: Underdog tag helps Argentina

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Argentina striker Sergio Aguero believes his side will relish the tag of underdogs when they face Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final™ in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

The two sides' contrasting routes to the final has made Joachim Low's men heavy favourites to win the World Cup for a fourth time as they smashed hosts Brazil 7-1 in their semi-final, whilst Argentina only squeezed past the Netherlands on a penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw.

"Germany were always the favourites, along with Brazil, to win the World Cup," the striker said on Thursday. "They continue to be so now. We need to play our own game and it suits us that all the pressure is on them."

Argentina's road back to the final for the first time in 24 years has unexpectantly come on the back of a solid defensive record as their fearsome attack, including four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, has failed to hit top form.

And Aguero is aware they may have to withstand plenty of pressure from the Germans once more at the Maracana. "We are in the final and we have to play it and win it in whatever way possible.

"We want to have control of the ball, but we know that Germany is a great team that know each other off by heart having played together for many years. It is clear that Argentina always go out to win, but sometimes during the game you have to be cautious. We are all aware of what the objective is and we will leave everything on the field to achieve it."

Confident in team abilities
And team-mate Maxi Rodriguez insisted Argentina were capable of beating anyone on their day. "Germany is a very strong, aggressive opponent, but if we are at our best we can beat anyone. What I am interested in is leaving as a champion. It is the dream all Argentines have."

Aguero made his return to action for the final 40 minutes against the Dutch after missing the last 16 and quarter-final victories over Switzerland and Belgium respectively due to injury. The 26-year-old struggled to get into the game, though, and admits it is difficult to recover full fitness in the middle of such an intense tournament.

"When you come back from an injury, it is always in the back of your mind whether it will return," added Aguero. "I had to train and try to be as good as I could be. When you miss three games, especially in a World Cup, you realise what you are missing."

Argentina are hopeful of recovering another key player from injury in time for the final as Angel di Maria returned to light training on Thursday. The midfielder missed the semi-final due to a thigh injury.

"Di Maria trained at between 60 and 80 per cent on the pitch," said Argentina team spokesman Andres Ventura. "His progress is obvious. He will be observed over the next few days to see if he will be fit."

Aguero: Make you happy forever us

But he involved far less because Argentina's run to the final of the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 was ™ as he would have liked, still smiling Sergio Aguero. The injury, which he suffered during his third and final group match against Nigeria seems a distant memory, and all that matters now is showdown with Germany in the immediate future, and Sunday, with the trophy at stake.

Understandably happy with life, the Manchester City man spoke with passion as he discussed his feelings before the big game with FIFA. "It's difficult," he said with a broad smile and big eyes collect his thoughts before you proceed. "When you're a kid you dream in this situation and the dream goes on, when you play for your club and if you the national team." There is something, that stays with you for the rest of your life."

Reflect on how close he came not on the tournament as a whole, said El Kun: "always to the competition in the best possible condition to begin, but I could not in the warm-up games, due to the injury I picked up against Everton." I was able to recover, but just so you can get match-fit to play. I again got hurt here although it not so serious. I have recovered and now I want to just have a chance to play in the final."

A record, to set
After the meeting, the games against the Switzerland and Belgium, Aguero with eight minutes of game time in the semi-final against the Netherlands as a substitute and scored in the shootout, the Argentina in their fifth World Cup final and their first 24 years sent.

Strange for a player who hit 21 goals for La Albiceleste and their ninth highest scorer of all time, has found the striker in the network, World Cup matches in seven - three in South Africa 2010 and he has presented the four in Brazil. In contrast, Gonzalo Higuain, who has taken the same sum as Aguero, as a whole, has accumulated five goals in 10 World Cup games.

"I will try my best, like I always do, and I'll try to do, what I can play already in previous", said the Argentina No20 to touch this discrepancy.

Aware his tournament goal drought, Aguero also knows how much anticipation and excitement his team perform home brings back: "sometimes they understand not, because you are focusing on your own stuff, but when you see the pictures of your home, you will see, how big it is. The fans have been waiting for so long a performance."

Aguero, who turned 26 earlier in the tournament, knows exactly what's in store for Argentina's the Maracana on Sunday: "they have many FC Bayern Munich players, who have been together for a long time and know each other well. They can also be the final as they play used. You have experience.

"We have our game to play, which is to keep the ball, but we also keep a watchful eye on her attacking game, which is very difficult to stop."

What to wear whatever the German threat, Argentina will not be Aguero lacking in motivation, confirmed: "we have the opportunity, a dream to fulfill, in touch now distance." "We will give everything, what we do, to it happen and make us happy for the rest of our lives."