Diego Maradona's star turn at the World Cup has taken in all manner of drama.

Now he can add bad German accents to his exploits.

In response to German jibes ahead of their Cup quarter-final, Maradona channelled Sargent Schultz.

"What's happening Schweinsteiger, are you nervous?," he said in his best faux German, laughing in interview with Fox Sports Argentina.

"The boys are thinking about getting out on the pitch and getting revenge for 2006.

"I don't worry about what he says about the penalties, about the kicking, that we don't know how to lose. That doesn't bother us."

Surprisingly, Germany started off with mudslinging, and did so with their renowned thoroughness.

"They are impulsive, temperamental and they don't know how to lose," said captain Philipp Lahm of the Argentinians.

And midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said the Argentine players had not changed, triggering Maradona's typically flamboyant riposte.

"They have no respect. It's their mentality and character and we'll have to adjust," Schweinsteiger said.

What will bother Maradona more than the verbal sparring is that playmaker Oezil and strikers like Thomas Mueller and Miroslav Klose could put defenders like Martin Demichelis in trouble like they have never seen at this World Cup.

The Germans know Demichelis all too well since he is a linchpin in the defence of Bayern Munich which reached the Champions League final two months ago.

And Demichelis said he knows the Germans well enough to know it betrays nerves.

"Maybe because we beat them on March 3 they respect us a little more," Demichelis said, referring to a 1-0 win in a preparation game.

"The important thing is that we answer on the pitch. The best answer is during the game."

Beyond the penalty shootout four years ago, both teams twice met in the World Cup final, with Maradona making the difference in a 3-2 win in 1986 and Germany winning with a late penalty in Rome four years later.

Maradona was a star in both finals, and now as coach, has been nothing less on the sidelines.

"Diego has gone through every experience possible in football and that helps us a lot. If you've got a doubt about something or a question, he knows what to say," midfielder Javier Pastore said.

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