Argentina striker Sergio Aguero believes his side will relish the tag of underdogs when they face Germany in the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
The two sides' contrasting routes to the final has made Joachim Loew'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 shootout after a 0-0 draw.
"Germany were always the favourites, along with Brazil, to win the World Cup," the Manchester City man 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."
And former Liverpool 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 Real Madrid midfielder missed the semi-final due to a thigh injury.
"Di Maria trained at between 60 and 80 percent 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."
AFP
Fri Jul 11 2014
Argentina's Sergio Aguero (right) tries to hold off Netherlands' Stefan de Vrij during the World Cup semifinal football match between the Netherlands and Argentina. - AP Photo/Martin Meissner
Sirah Nabi Muhammad SAW akan ‘lebih hidup’ selepas ini…
Penerokaan teknologi ini yang dibuat kerajaan Arab Saudi mampu mencambah pemahaman umat Islam yang mengunjunginya.
Malaysia tidak lupa pengorbanan wira perang Australia dan New Zealand di Sandakan
Katanya, kenangan mengenai tawanan perang yang menderita ketika kejadian kawad maut yang terkenal itu terukir di Taman Peringatan Sandakan.
AWANI Pagi: Kesan kesihatan makan lewat malam
Benarkah dakwaan makan lewat malam boleh mengakibatkan masalah kesihatan dan obesiti, hingga wujud desakan kedai makan 24 jam dilarang beroperasi 24 jam? Ikuti penjelasannya bersama Prof Dr Norhasmah Sulaiman, Profesor Jabatan Pemakanan, Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains, Kesihatan Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Amnesty gesa universiti AS tarik balik tindakan keras terhadap protes Gaza
Dalam satu laporan, badan pemantau hak asasi mengutuk penindasan ke atas pelajar yang melakukan protes terhadap perang di Gaza.
Ruhainies mohon maaf kepada Bella Astillah, luah hasrat untuk bertemu
"Dengan rasa rendah hati, saya ingin mohon maaf kepada Bella Astillah atas segalanya yang telah berlaku."
Universiti perlu tapis aktiviti namun tidak sehingga ganggu keterbukaan, autonomi - Pakar
Abu Hafiz berpandangan ia perlu dilaksana bagi mengelakkan kontroversi khususnya membabitkan isu sensitif serta polisi negara.
'Man Kubur' tolak rasa malu, teruskan legasi ayah hasilkan kepok kubur
Dikman mengakui minat terhadap pembuatan kepok timbul sejak di bangku sekolah rendah lagi apabila sering membantu bapanya di bengkel.
UTM lancar Hab Malaysia Erasmus+
Ia bermatlamat meningkatkan kerjasama antara universiti dan diplomat yang mampu memberi panduan kepada pihak dalam sektor pendidikan tinggi.
Ancaman bom: Pusat Kargo KLIA gempar ancaman bom, rupanya laptop
Pusat Kargo Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) gempar apabila mesin pengimbas menerima bungkusan tertera ayat ancaman bom, pada Khamis
WFP: Utara Gaza diancam kebuluran kritikal
Timbalan Pengarah Eksekutif Program Makanan Sedunia (WFP), Carl Skau, menegaskan perlunya lebih banyak akses bantuan untuk mengatasi masalah kebuluran yang kritikal di utara Gaza.
Warga Venezuela di Argentina protes tuntut pilihan raya bebas
Puluhan migran Venezuela yang menetap di Argentina berarak di Buenos Aires bagi menyuarakan rasa tidak puas hati terhadap Presiden Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro serta menuntut pilihan raya bebas.
Saya telah menang semuanya - Messi
Messi sudah berjaya menjulang pelbagai trofi sepanjang kariernya dan mengakui sudah rasa cukup dengan pencapaian yang diraihnya itu.
Hujan lebat berterusan, Buenos Aires keluar amaran tahap oren
Perkhidmatan Meteorologi Kebangsaan (SMN) mengeluarkan amaran pada tahap oren berikutan ribut akibat hujan lebat di kawasan metropolitan Buenos Aires pada Rabu.
Argentina terpaksa lupakan Messi
Messi telah diketepikan daripada skuad Argentina untuk perlawanan persahabatan yang akan datang di Amerika Syarikat kerana kecederaan hamstring, kata Persatuan Bola Sepak Argentina.
Empat pemain kelab Velez Sarsfield berdepan tuduhan serangan seksual
Empat pemain kelab bola sepak Argentina, Velez Sarsfield ditahan atas perintah mahkamah Argentina selepas dituduh melakukan serangan seksual pada Isnin.
Penampakan 'UFO' di Argentina
Sebuah rakaman memaparkan objek aneh berbentuk bulat berlegar-legar di wilayah Tucuman, Argentina mencetuskan tanda tanya.
Kemiskinan di Argentina cecah paras tertinggi 57.4 peratus - Kajian
Tahap kemiskinan itu merupakan yang tertinggi pernah dicapai Argentina dalam tempoh sekurang-kurangnya 20 tahun.
Kelayakan Olimpik: Brazil kandas, tidak layak ke Paris 2024
Brazil gagal melayakkan diri ke kejohanan bola sepak Olimpik lelaki selepas tewas 1-0 kepada Argentina.
Kerajaan, pemimpin Amerika Latin ucap takziah pemergian Sebastian Pinera
Kerajaan dan para pemimpin di seluruh Amerika Latin menzahirkan ucapan takziah atas kematian bekas Presiden Chile, Sebastian Pinera dalam nahas helikopter.
Tunjuk perasaan di Argentina protes lawatan Presiden Javier Milei ke Israel
Dianggarkan ratusan peserta tunjuk perasaaan berkumpul di luar premis Kementerian Luar Negeri Argentina untuk menyuarakan protes terhadap lawatan Presiden Javier Milei ke Israel pada Isnin.