World Cup heavyweights Germany and Argentina meet in Berlin on Friday in a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals.

A Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina won the 1986 final in Mexico with West Germany triumphing 1-0 in Italy four years later.

This year both sides have impressed in their four games to date, Jose Pekerman's team being particularly impressive in their 6-0 demolition of Serbia & Montenegro while the hosts have beaten Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador and Sweden with some style.

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann is expected to have both captain Michael Ballack and striker Miroslav Klose available even though the duo missed training earlier this week. He has no either suspension or injury problems to worry about.

Klose is in a very confident mood going into the match, saying: "We're not nervous about this game. Argentina were the favourites to win the World Cup but now they've had the bad luck to be drawn against us.

"We know we have a good opportunity to beat them. They're a good team but if we press them for the full 90 minutes they will make mistakes. It's then up to us to exploit them."

Pekerman could recall Luis Gonzalez to his starting line-up after the midfielder recovered from a groin problem, while defender Nicolas Burdisso is a doubt after sustaining a leg injury in the goalless draw with Holland.

Barcelona teenager Lionel Messi is looking forward to the game and remains unflustered even though the match is a home game for Germany.

He said: "I like to play with the crowd against me. We've already shown we are in good shape and playing good football and that we can stand up to any rival we face.

"It's a quarter-final and from here they're all difficult matches. This one against Germany is perhaps a bit more because, apart from the football they play, they're at home and, like it or not, that also helps."