Manchester City Star Demichelis Heaps Praise on United Boss Van Gaal

Manchester City star Martin Demichelis has praised new rival manager Louis van Gaal, claiming that the Dutch boss has been the best manager he has ever had.

The Argentinian defender will face van Gaal today in the World Cup semi-final and he will have to play against him again a number of times during the season in the Manchester clashes.

Demichelis spent a year under the Dutchman at Bayern Munich just before moving to Malaga.

And even though the new Manchester United boss left him on the bench, he still holds good memories about him and his methods.

"Van Gaal has been the best coach I have had in my career. At that moment, I was irritated, but I always recognised he was the best football-wise, for the concepts he has and how he imposes them on a team," he said during an interview with the Argentinian newspaper Clarin.

"He has shown that in this World Cup. But I didn't leave because of him, but because of my own decision.

"He has a real determination in thinking about the team and potential consequences. I learned a lot from van Gaal."

But apart from van Gaal's methods, Demichelis is concerned about how he will stop Arjen Robben, who has been one the best players of the Brazil tournament so far.

"We have to be aggressive, to show the passion of the Argentine players to the Dutch ‒ and especially to Robben. He doesn't like physical contact, so you have to make him feel it and get under his skin.

"He is a phenomenon and it is vital to know which way he goes. But he has not got much edge ‒ he's not a fighter. Therefore you have to attack him because the more you stand off, the nearer to the goal you take him and the less margin of error you have."