Article

Bender ready for Messi challenge

15 August 2012 15:37

Germany midfielder Lars Bender is eagerly anticipating Wednesday's international friendly against Lionel Messi's Argentina.

The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder previously took on the Barcelona star in last year's Champions League, when the Argentine netted a stunning five goals in one game.

Nevertheless, despite the memory of Messi's impressive performance last term, the gifted forward will not be the only player Bender will be keeping a close eye on.

"Of course, I am really looking forward to this game," Bender told the DFB website.

"But not just because we will be facing Messi. He has the ability to single-handedly decide games and has extraordinary qualities.

"However, he is only one component of a very strong team. A match against Argentina is something very special. They have a big reputation and a lot of quality in their squad.

"They have some outstanding individuals such as Messi, (Gonzalo) Higuain and (Angel) Di Maria. They struggled a bit at the 2010 World Cup, but they are back now."

Info

Germany

W W W D D

1 - 3

Argentina

D W W L D

Competition

Half-time: 0 - 1
Full-time: 1 - 3

Venue: Commerzbank-Arena (Frankfurt am Main)
Attendance: 48808

Goals

	0 - 1	45'+1 S. Khedira (OG)
	0 - 2	52' L. Messi (assist by G. Higuaín)
	0 - 3	73' Á. di María (assist by S. Agüero)
B. Höwedes 81' (assist by M. Götze)	1 - 3

Lineups

Player	Bookings
R. Zieler	30'
J. Boateng
M. Hummels
H. Badstuber
M. Schmelzer
M. Özil
S. Khedira	45+1'
L. Bender
M. Klose
T. Müller
M. Reus
Coach: J. Löw

Player	Bookings
S. Romero
P. Zabaleta	26'
E. Garay
F. Fernández
M. Rojo
J. Mascherano
F. Gago
José Sosa
Á. di María	73'
L. Messi	52'
G. Higuaín
Coach: A. Sabella

Substitutes

Player	Bookings
B. Höwedes for M. Hummels 25'	81'
M. ter Stegen for T. Müller 32'
A. Schürrle for M. Klose 62'
I. Gündogan for S. Khedira 69'
T. Kroos for M. Özil 69'
M. Götze for L. Bender 74'

Player	Bookings
S. Agüero for José Sosa 46'
H. Campagnaro for P. Zabaleta 66'
P. Guiñazú for Á. di María 73'
R. Braña for J. Mascherano 80'

Wednesday 22 May

01:22

Droll: Dortmund are not underdogs

Tuesday 21 May

23:08	AFC Champions League Wrap: Seoul, Buriram, Al Ahli, Al Shabab advance
22:27	Pulis leaves Stoke
21:08	Sanogo relishing Arsenal move
21:05	Galtier signs extension at Saint-Etienne
20:32	Baines explains appearance record
20:28	Pulis future in doubt amid exit rumours
20:12	Swansea coach Tucker praises goalkeepers
19:25	West Ham sign Rat
19:10	McAuley eager to keep improving
18:43	Ribery keen to end career at Bayern
18:36	Reina plays down Barcelona speculation
18:20	De Boer agrees new Ajax deal
18:13	Sheffield United make McCall move
18:11	Heldt: Schalke interested in Santana
18:06	Messi urges Barcelona not to change
17:41	Manchester City agree MLS club deal with New York Yankees
16:57	Cech confident Chelsea will attract big names
16:48	Blackman urges Reading to be more ruthless
16:47	Montanier leaves Sociedad for Rennes
15:38	Rodgers pleased with Coutinho impact
15:30	Leonardo: Ibrahimovic and Silva to stay
15:08	Carroll thanks West Hams fans after loan spell
14:31	De Laurentiis confirms Dzeko interest
14:16	Wilshere dreams of England captaincy
14:14	Mourinho a ´scourge´ on Spanish football
14:02	Moratti will not rush decision on Stramaccioni´s future
13:43	Klopp warns Dortmund stars about leaving
12:44	Schneiderlin backs Southampton to improve
12:29	Podolski delighted with fourth spot
12:12	Sigurdsson targets improvement at Tottenham
11:17	Di Canio criticised by PFA chief
10:50	Steaua owner Becali jailed for three years
10:00	Hummels pledges future to Dortmund
09:46	Retiring Ferguson ´overwhelmed´ by recognition
09:31	J.League Preview: Top three expected to win
06:34	Argentine Primera Division Wrap: Tigre earn point at Lanus
06:21	Galtier wants Ancelotti to stay
06:09	Pique, Barca playing for record haul
04:41	Gazidis, Arsenal target silverware
03:17	Juan plots Inter redemption
03:08	Gibbs wants to build on strong finish
02:58	Racism will not drive out Drogba
02:28	Martinez coy on Wigan future
02:17	Fernandinho still seeking City switch
02:01	Roberto Carlos set to coach Sivasspor
00:13	Ferguson named LMA Manager of the Year

Monday 20 May

21:07	Inter, Roma fined for racist abuse
20:15	Mourinho in quotes
20:14	Real Madrid part company with Mourinho
20:03	Rodwell called up by England
19:40	Messi keen on Barca stay
18:39	Atletico Madrid ready to sell Falcao
18:35	Abbiati extends Milan deal
18:32	Terry misses Chelsea tour
18:30	Schwarzer unaware of new contract offer from Fulham
18:19	O´Brien proud of West Ham finish
17:34	Doncaster appoint Dickov as manager
17:07	Hearts avoid SPL points deduction
16:53	Galliani to hold talks with Allegri
16:52	Hill blasts Hughes´ QPR signings
16:36	Lampard: I have not performed at World Cups
16:20	Kacaniklic targets first-team place
16:13	Jardim replaces Ferreira at Sporting Lisbon
16:10	Indonesia fined for crowd trouble
15:57	Mignolet not worried about speculation
15:42	Neville uncertain on future
15:07	Hummels could make Champions League final
15:01	Napoli stars hail departing Mazzarri
14:44	Juninho: Donovan gets advantage with referees
14:32	Harper hails ´incredible´ reception
14:27	Giovinco not leaving Juve
14:21	Lambert ´proud´ of top-flight return
14:21	Torres targets improvement
14:06	Fernandinho wants to join Manchester City
13:49	Galliani relieved with Champions League spot
13:33	Stramaccioni bemoans injury-hit season
13:19	Lewandowski focused on Wembley
12:57	Reading owner confirms Pogrebnyak clause
12:51	Owen thanks Stoke for ´great experience´
12:36	Rizzoli to take charge of UEFA Champions League final
12:18	Raheem Sterling case dismissed
12:14	Schuerrle expects Leverkusen exit
12:03	Howson delighted with Norwich progress
11:53	Milan players targeted in Florence
11:32	Lukaku: Fans inspired my performances
11:24	Williams dismisses Arsenal links
10:52	Scolari: Neymar will be a Barcelona idol
10:45	David Luiz praises ´amazing´ Benitez
10:22	Walcott wants title tilt next term
10:12	Carragher´s final Liverpool appearance full of emotion
10:05	Carrick: United must move on from Ferguson
09:56	Villas-Boas confident Bale with stay at Tottenham
09:13	AFC Champions League Preview: Guangzhou eye last eight
08:26	Ecuador Primera A Wrap: Nahuelpan class buoys Barcelona
07:58	Liga MX Wrap: America, Cruz Azul reach final
07:53	MLS Wrap: Johnson does Dallas, Salt Lake sink Chivas
07:40	Peru Primera Division Wrap: Sporting Cristal shine on top
07:09	Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Melgarejo on a winner
06:48	Chile Primera Division Wrap: Top two win again
06:20	Colombia Primera A Wrap: Tolima strike late to go top
05:56	Costa Rica Primera Division: Cartagines v Herediano
05:24	Cahill in top form in New York
04:45	Henry: Galaxy were better than New York
04:35	Fulham plan Schwarzer solution talks
04:13	Vilanova staying, says Roura
04:05	Merrick joins Phoenix as coach
03:53	Juric signs with A-League´s Wanderers
03:14	Mazzarri leaves second-placed Napoli
03:03	Campeonato Paulista: Santos 1 Corinthians 1 (3-2 agg)
00:47	La Liga Wrap: Barcelona, Deportivo notch victories
00:40	Allegri refuses to be drawn on talk of future
00:32	Ibrahimovic, Ancelotti land Ligue 1 honours
00:09	Primeira Liga Wrap: Porto confirm title, Moreirense relegated

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