The Argentina defender Martín Demichelis has stuck the boot into England,
claiming that a performance against Germany similar to John Terry's effort in England's elimination would see him barred from returning home.
Although a war of words between Argentina and Germany has ignited a fuse between the two sides before tomorrow's World Cup quarter-final in Cape Town, they have joined forces to torment England following their ragged display in a humiliating 4-1 defeat last weekend.
Demichelis's turn came after a training session in Pretoria last night when he was quizzed about his poor recent form. The Bayern Munich centre-half made a major error in the group encounter with South Korea, presenting the Koreans with a goal which briefly put Argentina on the back foot.
Demichelis was also severely criticised for his performance against Internazionale in the Champions League final and the spotlight will be on him when he tries to subdue a German strike-force which contains his Bayern team-mate Miroslav Klose.
Yet, according to Demichelis, all this is relative. For an example of a real pitiful defensive display, he cites Terry's game against Germany in Bloemfontein last Sunday.
"Seeing the way Terry played against Germany, if I was Terry I wouldn't be able to go back to my country," said Demichelis.
"I'm strong but I'm not a masochist so I don't read every criticism about me. I know that when the team is playing well there are always people who look for a weakness, for example me, but I know I can overcome this bad moment."