Erasmia - Germany captain Philipp Lahm has maintained the war of words with Argentina by saying his team's World Cup quarterfinal opponents are bad losers.

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff added to the tension on Thursday, calling the Argentines "aggressive" and "provocative" on the pitch.

The statements come a day after midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said Argentina showed no respect for opponents and referees.

The unusually bellicose German comments appear designed to raise the stakes in the mind games ahead of the match on Saturday in Cape Town.

The two teams have history, fighting on the pitch after Germany beat Argentina on penalties in the quarterfinals at the 2006 tournament.

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