Former Paraguay and Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz has advised his country to adopt a robust approach against Germany in the World Cup last 32.
"You have to make the game physically intense and force Germany to work hard. And I hope for high temperatures. That would suit us," the 44-year-old told the Süddeutsche Zeitung on Sunday ahead of Monday's match in Foxborough.
"Paraguay have to try to draw Germany into an intense back and forth. The more physical the game becomes, the better for us," added Santa Cruz, who won the Champions League with Bayern in 2001.
The record goalscorer for his country, he scored 32 times in 112 matches, retiring from Paraguay duty in 2016.
Julian Nagelsmann's team are "most vulnerable in transitions," the five-times German champion added. "They have a lot of possession, combine down the flanks and through the centre and often pin the opponent deep in their own half. They usually run into problems after quick counter-attacks played with a lot of pace and precision."
Santa Cruz nevertheless sees Paraguay, who progressed from Group D in third behind the US and Australia, as underdogs.
In the 2002 World Cup round of 16, Paraguay lost 1-0 to Germany late on.
"If the game stays level for a long time, like in 2002, then the whole weight of expectation is on Germany, while Paraguay have far less to lose," he said.
