Saturday 12 July 2014 16:34, UK
Argentina's players are summoning inspiration from their heroes of the past as they prepare for their country's most important match for a generation, according to Sergio Romero.
Goalkeeper Romero, who was the hero of the hour after saving two spot-kicks in the penalty shoot-out against Netherlands in the World Cup semi-final, says the team are determined to join those who made history in 1978 and 1986.
It is 24 years since Argentina last made the final, when they were beaten 1-0 by West Germany in a tense and dull affair. The shirts will be the same colours again in the Maracana on Sunday - Argentina in navy blue, Germany in white.
For Romero, however, the chance to join the icons of the Diego Maradona-inspired team of 1986, or that which triumphed on home soil eight years before, is driving this generation of players on.
Romero said: "The most important thing is that our team and our country provide the best image in the eyes of the world, that the world will speak well of Argentina.
"We will remember what the champions of 1978 and 1986 achieved but we will also try to achieve glory with the fight and heart of this team.
"Maybe for many people it is not the dream final, because they wanted us to play Brazil, but it will be a fantastic game.
The most important thing is that our team and our country provide the best image in the eyes of the world, that the world will speak well of Argentina. We will remember what the champions of 1978 and 1986 achieved but we will also try to achieve glory with the fight and heart of this team.
"They will be very tough opponents. They scored seven goals in the semi-final and they did not have to go to extra time so they have been able to save some energy for the final."
The Monaco keeper said minds have now been re-focused after the euphoria following the Holland match, when clips emerged from the dressing room of the squad singing their fans' anthem 'Brasil decime que se siente' - Brazil tell me how it feels - to the tune of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Bad Moon Rising.
"The boys enjoyed it, everyone was shouting and singing in the dressing room, but from the next morning we set our minds on what was coming and how hard it will be to face Germany," said Romero.
Germany have beaten Argentina in the last two World Cups, winning in the quarter-finals in 2006 on penalties and trouncing the South Americans 4-0 in 2010 at the same stage.
Maxi Rodriguez is the only survivor from the 2006 team and he admitted he is desperate to avenge those defeats.
Rodriguez said: "You bet. Since they knocked us out on the last two occasions, I can't deny that I'm out for payback.
"The first time was more painful because it was on penalties. In South Africa it was different, because we hardly got into the game. But now it's a final, the most important match we're going to play. Of course I want revenge."
Coach Alejandro Sabella's biggest dilemma is over whether to pick Angel di Maria, who is struggling with a torn thigh muscle.
Di Maria has been having stem cell injections to try to speed up his recovery and his father was quoted saying the Real Madrid winger is desperate to play even if he has not completely recovered.
