ARGENTINA thread

Who should suceed Diego Maradona ?

  • Total voters
    16
  • Poll closed .
AK.Rabona said:
Exactly. Going in to the World Cup, I believed Argentina would be victorious this time for sure. However, from the first match I could see the team was nowhere the level I was hoping for. Even for the victories with large differences, there was no flow to the gameplan and the midfield looked terribly out of harmony. Like you said, Germany was exponentially more prepared tactically and they exposed Maradona's inflexibility. I don't want to even comment on the squad choices and substitutions. Cambiasso not even in the reserves after leading Inter to win the CL final?!

On a side note, Maaan I miss watching Riquelme. I realize it might be better to move on from him for the national team, but I wish he won at least some more trophies before calling it quits. I wonder what might have been if he was in South Africa... Does anyone know if he is doing any good in Boca Juniors anymore?
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He's suffered injuries and a loss of form and has caused ructions within Boca bearing in mind he is the highest paid player there by a margin.

Someone like Monzon for instance earns something like £550 PER WEEK....

It's time to move on. He was an artist and supreme talent as he showed at Boca and Villareal and his substitution in 2006 (which had all Albiceleste fans worried by Pekermans strange choice) cost victory and a potential World Cup.

Pastore has his and Kaka's ability in one package and a key advantage over Roman in terms of sheer pace as well.

And the potrero flair which must be maintained as a hallmark of Argentinian football is nicely maintained in Boca's Canete and River Plates Lamela and Lanzini.

Cappa is an excellent coach. He mentored Pastore and is doing the same with these two and other kids like Cirigliano, Pezzella and Rogelio Mori.
 
Squad for meaningless friendly against Japan to line a certain mafioso's pocktes:

Goalkeepers: Oscar Ustari (Getafe), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar)

Defenders: Gabriel Milito (Barcelona), Javier Zanetti (Inter), Walter Samuel (Inter), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille)

Midfielders: Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Jose Sosa (Napoli), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Andres D’Alessandro (Internacional), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica)

Forwards: Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito, (Inter), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)

Perotti, Cavenaghi, Silvestre, Forlin, Ansaldi should have been taken instead of some of the above. That defence needs to be overhauled though it looks like it will be post Copa that the likes of Guillermo Burdisso, Galeano, Ansaldi etc get their chance.
 
Diego has said he would like his job back and is willing to change his backroom staff in order to do so.

What a desperado. He also insulted Batista by saying he was not even known in Uruguay.

:RANT:

Just go away you loser please and let whoever it is take Argentina forward and not backward.

The man has no shame or awareness.
 
When is the Japan match ? Also I wouldnt say a match against Japan is a bad idea. They did reasonably well in the World Cup, were only beaten (over the 90/120 mins) by Holland and did ok against an underrated Paraguay.

They have a lot of pace and width so it could be a good test for the full backs.
 
cfdh_edmundo said:
When is the Japan match ? Also I wouldnt say a match against Japan is a bad idea. They did reasonably well in the World Cup, were only beaten (over the 90/120 mins) by Holland and did ok against an underrated Paraguay.

They have a lot of pace and width so it could be a good test for the full backs.
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It's on the October the eigth. I'm not saying Japan itself is a weak opponent.

They more than held their own against Holland (aside from the Jabulani error), beat Denmark with ease and held Paraguay easily. It is not 1998.

I'm referring to the idea of this circus which Argentina players have to go to around the world to line a certain mafioso's pockets.

The local domestic squad is this:
GK:
-Juan Pablo Carrizo 26 River Plate
-Adrián Gabbarini 24 Independiente
-Nicolas Navarro 25 Argentinos Juniors

DF:
-Victor López 32 Banfield
-Matiás Caruzzo 26 Boca Juniors
-Clemente Rodríguez 29 Boca Juniors
-Lucas Mareque 27 Independiente
-Leonel Galeano 19 Independiente
-Hugo Nervo 19 Arsenal de Sarandi
-Santiago Hoyos 28 Lanus

MF:
-Román Martínez 27 Tigre
-Nicolas Olmedo 27 Godoy Cruz
-José Luis Fernandez 23 Racing
-Walter Ervitti 30 Banfield
-Maxi Morales 23 Velez Sarsfield
-David Ramirez 19 Godoy Cruz
-Enzo Pérez 24 Estudiantes
-Manuel Lanzini 17 River Plate

FW:
-Martín Palermo 37 Boca Juniors
-Luis Miguel Rodríguez 25 Newells Old Boys
-Rogelio Funes Mori 18 River Plate
-Juan Manuel Martínez 25 Velez Sarsfield
-Luciano Leguizamón 28 Arsenal de Sarandi

No real surprises, though Erik Lamela 18 should be in based on his performances ,esp.against Quilmes in midfield. Remember he was the 12 year old kid Barca tried to snatch.

Others to look out for and seleccion material for the future are creative highly skilled midfielder Lanzini and striker Mori and in defence Leonel Galeano and Hugo Nervo.

Godoy Cruz's sparkling football has seen them rewarded with the selection of Olmedo and Ramirez in midfield.

German Pacheco has been up and down with Independiente sometimes sparkling other times disappointing so is not selected along with several other exciting youngsters ie Seba Blanco.
 
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Aguero will not travel to Japan because of injury and neither will Zabaleta.

Batista has called up Pareja(Spartak Moscow) and at last Ansaldi (Rubin Kazan) to the seleccion.

A poll of 10000 Argentina fans in Argentina showed 95% do not want Maradona anywhere the seleccion ever again.

Domestically Estudiantes lead the way with River Plate in fifth. The youngsters under Cappa ie Mori , Lamela, Lanzini, Affranchino are flourishing.

A new star to look out for is Leandro Paredes a very gifted playmaker aged just sixteen who the coach Borghi has called up to train with Boca Juniors first team.

Quilmes and perennial strugglers Gimnasia lie at the bottom.

YouTube - Descubriendo a Manuel Lanzini
 
One step forward another two back.

It looked like the ghOst of Maradona had invaded Batista last night.

A very disappointing 1-0 defeat against Japan. All credit to the Blue Samurai they pressed all game and if they had a decent striker could well have scored two or three.

The goal itself perhaps was lamentable with Romero makin a meal of a low drive to allow Okazkai to score the resultant rebound.

Argentina only perked up when Pastore was introduced late on and at last controlled the ball.

However the deficiencies exposed against Germany were shown up ie no midfield. d'Alessandro was bizarrely played out on the wing.

Both fullbacks contributed nothing to the attack allowing Japan to go 2 on 1 on evez and Messi. Tevez was very selfish in his play again esp.when Pastore came on.

Diego Milito was useless once more. When Higuain came on and di Maria at last we had wifth but with the odd sight of Higuain being played on the wing.

Messi must be scratching and tearing his hair out.

And please no more Dimichelis , Heinze in defence. Old slow and useless. Dimi cannot even get into the Bayern first team and for a reason . He's rubbish.

Why an earth some of the younger bright defending talents cannot be utilized mystifies me ie I would have selected Musacchio and Ansaldi and played a 4-2-3-1 with Pastore in the centre and di Maria or Perotti for width.

Maddening. Ater the euphoria of thumping Spain it's back to Earth with a very heavy bump and dose of realization that the defence needs a lot of work and please when you do pick an enganche play him in the middle.

At times with no control there the formation ended up 4-0-6 with no pattern.

I have my doubts over Batista preferrring Cappa or Martino. These reinforce my doubts. No doubt Maradona is delighted.

Make me manager of Argentina and I could honestly do a better job.
 
Well TSO the standout young player of this seasons Apertura is Manuel Lanzini. A truly world class talent.

I am happy to see how Lamela is doing and that there is real talent defensively ie Nervo, Galeano, Pezzella, Pirez, Tagliafico.

Regarding Mori his brother who is a central defender is pretty good too but has yet to break into the prima squadra of River.

The United States must be kicking themselves having lost out on such a talent as with Michael Hoyos of Estudiantes (both were born to Argentinian families who moved to the USA).

He is still very raw though. And he will need to build his physique as he is still fragile.

He is pretty decent with the ball at feet and can create space for himself and is helped by some tidy acceleration. Passing is solid but unspectacular at the moment. I blame the fact he was brought up in the US....vis a vis River Plate.

Heading he is superior to Higuain. His body positioning is far better and adds power to the header. Unlike Gonzalo he is less intelligent in team play as such dropping off into midfield.

However he is more of a predator in the box. An older type of number 9 who is not afraid to get into the rough stuff and knows his lines instinctively ie when to drop off a defender or get to the near or far post.

He is predominantly right footed and it packs a punch or finesse when needed.

Without service he can go missing like any striker and can still be outmuscled by older experienced defenders out wide. He does however work hard all game without the ball and posesses good endurance.

But he has all the key ingredients to be a top class striker. As good as Higuain ? Higuain was more silky smooth and more skilled at the same age whereas Mori is more a battler but still scores, he is a natural.

I'd like to see him stay at River and develop his footballing brain more so he can contribute more overall to the side.

He is though a very nice kid personality wise and very grounded.

And you will have to be quick TSO. While Benfica would be a great fit and he would feel very comfortable among the fans, other Argentinian players and learn from Cardozo there are many clubs who have scouted him.

Passarella is not keen to sell and neither is Cappa as there is a nucleus of very gifted kids coming through together which they want to keep together and reestablish River Plate as a great club.

However money talks. Could well be the highest bidder unfortunately as I'd rather see him go to a club like Benfica where he will develop rather than say a Manchester City or Real Madrid.

YouTube - La histora de Rogelio Gabriel Funes Mori
YouTube - River 1 Arsenal 0 Funes Mori.mpg

Here's his hat trick against Racing from earlier this year:
YouTube - Racing Club 0 - 3 River Plate, Clausura 2010 Hat-Trick de Funes Mori (Relato Atilio Costa Febre )

Which Pererya do you mean TSO ? Thanks.
 
Top stuff amigo. (as always :D)

Pereyra from River. Reports are also naming Enzo Perez and Federico Fernandez (from Estudiantes I guess) as potential signings.
 
Okay amigo. :)

Roberto Pereyra was a kid brought from Tucuman hence his nickname as a seventeen year old into the River system.

He was initially left out by Nestor Gorosito much to the displeasure of many River fans and then gradually brought into the side by Leo Astrada.

He is predominantly right footed but was played as a left winger but very withdrawn aside a central enganche with license to cut inside.

He is a very good dribbler and very very fast and can open up defences that way.

He is pretty robust and agile for his size and odd shaped legs but he needs to grow a brain on the pitch. He's rather thit and miss ersp.in terms of delivery and decision making and can fade out of games and become anonymous.

But there is some potential. Not seleccion material though. for the future at present vis-a-vis Mori (possible swap with Saviola in January apparently).

Enzo Perez has been a key part of Sabella's midfield marshalled by Veron alongside Benitez. He again is physically not imposing but relies on a very quick turn of pace and agility to escape opponents.

He has a good range of passing and has the odd trikc or two to buy space but his decision making is suspect still. He does however like to burst into the box or hang on it's edge and score some spectacular fiercely hit goals. And he has been required to do so under Sabella when they just played Boselli upfront.

However he can just as easily drop out of a game. I don't think he has the mentality and application or persona to dominate a game or be a top player.

Fernandez is a solid defender with reasonable pace. He can pass decently enough often launching quick counter attacks with long passes and is a solid tackler and reads the game fairly well for a youngster.

He is very strong physically and a very good aerially and probably has the edge on pace on say Galeano but less in terms of reading the game than him.

Also his agility is a bit suspect and he can be turned quite easily and takes him time to recover and with lack of top speed can leave him vulnerable.

Solid but so far unspectacular. I'd say Nervo and Galeano have more potential than him. He's youbg so he can learn rapidly enough.

Of those four Mori has the ability to be world class the rest solid club players but not standouts in any way. Those three Perez, Fernandez and Pereyra still need to learn their roles and improve their mentality.

I mean a player like Affranchino would offer more than Pereyra.

Benfica might look better at recalling Reyes to replace di Maria and also make sure they do not neglect their own youth systems. ;)

Hope that helped TSO. :)
 
YouTube - Argentina Vs Brazil 1-0 - Lionel Messi Goal & Match Highlights - November 17 2010 - Friendly - [HQ]

:P Love the Brazilian commentary.....

:BOP::COOL:

Checho used a 4-3-3 for the first time.
-------------------Romero--------------------
Zanetti------Pareja----Burdisso-----Heinze---
-----Banega-----Mascherano----Pastore--------
--Messi----------Higuain----------di Maria---

The midfield three was too narrow. It allowed Brazil to push on their fullbacks and commit our fullbacks .They hit the space behind either with a runner or a diagonal ball.

Banega needed to get much tighter.He prefers playing alongside a 5 not in a three.

Pressing from our front three was very poor in comparison unsurprising as Pipita was not fit.

Also as Brazil commit their fullbacks have needed to hit the space in behind. Hardly aside from one ball that went long to Zanetti and out.

Roman used to do this and turn the opposition defence regularly.

Our midfield was having to pick the ball up with their backs to goal and is going backwards most of the time as there was not enough movement off the ball and little width at all to increase the size of the pitch ie Sorin with Pekerman.

Messi and di Maria cut in reduces this and made Brazil's job easier to defend compactly.

We need someone as Roman used to do who lifts the ball over them and gets them turning and lifts the clamp on the midfielde because when they are forced to do so it allows our midfield room to breathe and more space.


We started well enough in the second half with di Maria and Lavezzi on for Higuain, hitting the space in behind their fullbacks and pulling them wide but then it degenerated into much like it had been in the first half.

The pressure on the ball was much better though in the second half. However still not enough movement for me.

Football is all about creating space and movement and we are still not back to 2006 standards. Also we triangulate too slowly still and allow the opposition to get their bearings too easily.

And Zanetti. I don't know if he was under instructions but neither he or Heinze (who at least made the effort in the first half) ever reached the byeline as Pupi certainly would have done a few seasons ago.

Always cutting inside into where they are compact defensively.

Also use Messi as a decoy. Lavezzi receives it from him and passes it back to him too far ahead of him and into traffic. Infact 2 Brazilian defenders have gone with Messi. Use the space that creates to fashion room for your other players.

Lavezzi had the space open up for himself yet there seems to be this nagging feeling that they must always pass to Leo who often is double marked by that time.

Too often it seems to the team is looking to pass the ball to him and still hoping he can create something. They've tht is those upfront have to take on some of the responsibilities.

They are very talented themselves and need to believe in it themselves and get to his level.

Still this was Pocho's best game in the seleccion and of course Leo does what he does best when running at defenders.

Lots and lots of work to do for Batista. So many areas to work on and improve.

It will take time to get them used to 4-3-3.

Also proper carrileros attacking fullbacks are needed rather than Heinze and Zanetti to provide width and open up the pitch.

However I think Leo is growing into his role as leader. The way he pumps his arms demands the ball and even encouraging team mates are signs of it. A far cry from the shy youngster of three years ago at the Copa.

Diego lifted his team mates to higher levels and Leo can do the same. After all he has one target left and that is to win the WC which would be especially sweet in 2014 as wellas the Copa next year infront of the home fans.

Contrary to all that is said he is very popular.There is only a very small minority who still do not think he performs.

On the pitch Argentina has some extremely talented players but they need to believe in their abilities as well. Far too often they are ready to shirk responsibility onto Leo . They need to feel lifted by his presence not crushed and do their share of the work.

Messi without the ball is just as potent as a weapon as he is with it. He often can draw defenders out of position and more than one so creating space for other players. Some of the players in our seleccion need to realize this rather than constantly passing te ball to him to borrow an American hockey colloquialism , in traffic.

They need to realize they are also very gifted. With all this talent and introducing a new defensive corps ie Munoz/ Musacchio/Ansaldi Argentina should have a great chance of taking the Copa and WC.

Which would leave Leo very happy and also elevate him to godlike status in Argentina.

PS Neymar . Is he a submarine ? Dive, dive, dive......
 
cfdh_edmundo said:
Argentina v Portugal in Emirates, London, 9th Feb, Apparently.
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Indeed so. The friendly against England which was scheduled for Copenhagen bizarrely was cancelled apparently at Capello's request.

Domestic friendlies against Brazil will come before then.

Conca was named Brasilierao player of the season being a key part of the Fluminense squad, so well done to him and strangely not in the domestic squad.
YouTube - Dario Conca - Melhores Momentos
YouTube - Dario Conca - Magico do Fluminense

Also Independiente took the Copa Sudamericana on penalties from Goias so congratulations to El Rey de Copas.
 
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I didn't even know there's gonna be a match between Portugal and Argentina. Unfortunately the game is in London. :(

Good to see los Rojos back! I confess I was rooting for Goiás, well, you know, everyone loves an epic history - the guys who were relegated to Serie B rising up in International competition - the perfect script. However I'm still happy to see an historical and important club like Independiente backing to the highlights.

Talking about Sudamericana, I think UEFA should take a look on it. I mean, if the Europa League winner was given a spot in Champions League then maybe this competition would be more successful. Clubs would certainly give another look and importance to the 2nd european cup.

Just one last note: Conca is a hell of a player! He MUST be called to la Albiceleste.
 
Jumbo_ said:
I thought it was because the Danish FA double booked the stadium or something?
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Hang about Jumbo. Come to think of it you're right. They made a cockup although somehow this got stuck in my mind that Capello was running a bit scared. ;)

2013 though is definitely arranged for Wembley for the 150th anniversary. Hopefully Argentina bring their full team as I for one shall certainly be going.

Just down the road almost. :COOL:
 
Squad selected by Checho Batista for the friendly against Portugual which will no doubt descend into an argument once again of Messi versus Ronaldo (Leo for me of course ;) Ronaldo does not match Eusebio or Figo).

GKs: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmar),Mariano Andújar (Catania)

DFs: Javier Zanetti (Inter), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Nicolás Pareja (Spartak Moscow), Nicolás Burdisso (Roma), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow), Nicolás Otamendi (Porto) ,Gabriel Milito (Barcelona)

MFs: Esteban Cambiasso (Inter), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht), José Sosa (Napoli) ,Angel Di María (Real Madrid), Enzo Pérez (Estudiantes), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Ever Banega (Valencia) , Javier Pastore (Palermo)

FWs: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Diego Milito (Inter), Nicolás Gaitán (Benfica) ,Juan Manual Martínez (Vélez)



Martinez has had a great season domestically but disappointing to see Licha Lopez overlooked with Higuain out and indeed Maxi Lopez.

I would not have minded seeing Lamela thrown in this either.

Musacchio unuckly to be overlooked at the back along with solid performer Silvestre at Catania.

Salvio has impressed at Benfica and also I feel rather unlucky as he settles in like di Maria who also took some time.

No Heinze, Dimi or Tevez. This is down to politics and giving Messi control.

No Kun because of injury.

At the moment the u20 CONMEBOL tournament is underway. Top 2 sides make it to the Summer Olympiad in London 2012 and Argentina as defending champions would like to be there.

Top four qualify for the u20 World Cup with hosts Colombia.

Argentina sent a fairly strong side minus the likes of Lamela, Lanzini and others stuck in Europe like Munoz and Fernandez.

The side has struggled initially under Perazzo's doubtful coaching but seems to be gelling with a 3-1 win over Chile.

This after fortunate wins over Uruguay and Peru. The altitude in Peru may have had an effect and also the poor form of lead striker Rogelio Funes Mori.

Ferreyra showed much better but many eyes have been focused on Juan Manuel Iturbe a slight sixteen year old of wonderful dribbling qualities and who has made some goals and scored them too.

He is likely to move to Porto which is a sensible step. He was born in Buenos Aires though there may still be a dispute with Paraguay over his eligibility. However the new FIFA rules mean he can play for Argentina.

And Michael Hoyos a seasoned central midfielder at Estudiantes aged 20 has also impressed. He was rejected by the USSF along with Mori . Both are born to Argentine parents who moved to the USA to escape the financial crisis of the early nineties.

Overall some impressive talent in the side but not well coached ie Bruno Zuculini, Claudio Mosca in midfield and Pezzella and Tagliafico at the back.

I would love to see Tocalli and Pekerman return to coaching the u17 and u20 sides respectively as losing young players every year to Europe becomes an ever increasing problem.

2011 South American Youth Championship - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:South_am_youth_champs_peru_2011.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c5/South_am_youth_champs_peru_2011.jpg/200px-South_am_youth_champs_peru_2011.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/c/c5/South_am_youth_champs_peru_2011.jpg/200px-South_am_youth_champs_peru_2011.jpg
 
Long time no see amigo! Hope things are fine. ;)

I'm really expecting this match. For the very first time I'm going to watch a game between my loved country and one of the most enthusiastic football NT in the World.

What about Lucho and Licha? I’ve never heard about this Juan Manual Martínez, shame on me.

Good to see Gaitán selected but I feel a bit disappointed about Salvio. Strange isn’t it? As you said Salvio is doing great things at Benfica. He gained a spot in the starting XI since December and become a fundamental player in our team, I have no problem in saying he is a key player right now and the perfect replacement for Di María. I hope our President buys him.

Unfortunately I haven't followed u20 Sulamericano tournament as I liked to do. Have only watched one game, Argentina-Uruguay. Iturbe is scaring me a little bit I must say :LOL: the guy played brilliant football, un pequeño genial this new Porto boy. I've also enjoyed Uruguayan defender Polenta. Decent performance by Funes Mori as well (apparently Benfica pulled out a transfer).

¡Vamos Argentina! Força Portugal!
 
I am relatively well amigo. Thank you for asking. :)

Both sides like to play football and so it should be an entertaining game.Both sides have beaten Spain convincingly as well recently so it should be a close contest.

Iturbe has room to grow as well being sixteen and a half so may poses a problem to Benfica in a couple of years. ;)

Salvio is very unlucky. But I think his time will come as he was picked out for previous age group sides and the talent is there but mentally he is wayward.

Lucho's form is not so great this season so he was not called. Gago has been given the support of Mourinho at Real so he may be on form at last again as he was showing at the tail end of last season.

Checho likes certain players ie Biglia and Garay and has made no secret of this so unsurprising they have been called up. Licha may still be paying for walking out on the seleccion although he has not been in great domestic form either.

It may well be interesting to see either Zanetti at left back or indeed young Rojo at left back although I feel Ansaldi is the natural fit and in time Tagliafico. Rojo prefers to play centreback and has no senior experience as a twenty year old.
 
Gabby Milito there based purely on history/past and reputation I guess then.

Can't exactly say he deserves to be there or has earned it. Might be a nice way to boost his morale and maybe give him some kinda lift though on the other hand I suppose, though I don't think that should be the purpose of a national team.
 
Indeed PLF. As I said someone like Musacchio or Munoz should be given the berth with an eye on the next three years and based on performance.

Gabriel has never convinced me neither has Colocinni although his form seems to be solid for Newcastle.

Checho is playing around with some options before the Copa.

YouTube - Palermo-Parma Pastore ne dribla 4 di fila - Coppa Italia 25-01-2011

Pastore impressed against Parma and was soundly praised by Crespo.

Lavezzi despite missing his penalty against Internazionale has really been at a career best this season so I'd have gone with:

-------------------Romero--------------------
Zanetti-------Garay---Musacchio-----Ansaldi--
-----------------Mascherano------------------
---------------------------Banega------------
-----Messi---------Pastore---------di Maria--
------------------Milito.D-------------------

or play what Checho wants a 4-3-3 a la Barca:

-------------------Mascherano----------------
-------Cambiasso------------------Gago-------
--------------------Pastore-----------------
---------Messi--------------------di Maria--

with no out and out striker but Pastore surging from deep and both Messi and di Maria can cut in.

Pastore seems to prefer behind a two though and Cambiasso and Gago are not the speediest out wide and I'd take Banega over Gago but again he prefers a centralized role.

Batista it seems wants to replicate the Barca system to get the best of Messi though Leo has been improving in leaps and bounds and can and perhaps should be allowed a free role upfront to pull the opposition defence out of position.

The need for a quality 9 is also apparent with Higuain possibly seriously affected by the nature of such an injury can lead to chronic injury problems.

Pablo Osvaldo has been scoring for Espanyol with regularity and is only 21 and despite having played for Italy u20 is Argentine.

Maxi Lopez offers a battering ram approach a la Palermo and at present Mori is completely out of sorts and Ferreyra is a better bet of the kids.

Pochettino the coach of Espabyol has done an excellent job there with the youth and the way he is carrying on with his modern techniques a good candidate for the seleccion post in future.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jan/17/espanyol-la-liga-sid-lowe

I would like Checho to take advice on board as it seems to me many promising kids in Europe are not monitored closely enough ie Silvestre at Catania though he is 25, Maxi Lopez also an older player.

I would like the AFA to establish a European office so that tabs are kept on all the many many players plying their trade here because many recent call ups have ignored players in form over known names.

Rojo for example is in limbo at present not having played competitively but picked on the basis of performances two months ago.
 
Yep I would've taken Munoz instead of Gabi. Watched him a few times and the kid is impressive. Too early to tell of course but he seems a good defender already and can get better.

Though unlike you, I have to say I was convinced by Gabi Milito a few years back when he was captain of Zaragoza! Fantastic defender and good player. At that time he was one of the best in the world and definitely among best Argentina has. Of course he was good with Independiente prior to that as well.

But these days, sadly, he's just not the same. The long-term injury and the emergence of Pique turning into an absolute beast and his partnership with Puyol has meant Gabi has really lost confidence/faith and even when got a chance recently was making all kinds of mistakes.

I'm with you on Coloccini though. He's one I've NEVER been convinced of. Always rated highly and always inconsistent and unreliable as well. Seems great one game, bad next... plays great 80 mins... then 2 HUGE lapses of concentration and costs his team 2 goals. Though he did have some good days with Depor and gained a lot of confidence, good experience there.

In regards to Osvaldo, he's doing well this season in Spain but I'm personally not a big fan of him and don't rate him highly in the long-term. I could be wrong but for me, he's more like a player in great form at the moment rather than long term great ability or potential. I don't expect him to become or stay a great striker. Argentina has far more talented options I believe, nonetheless I'm ALL for form and EARNING your way to teams, so I think if possible, they should get him to play for Argentina and give him a cap anyway.

As for your formation ideas, I like it a lot. Especially first one. Though I'm still not entirely convinced on Romero either. But he's very young for a GK still and hopefully can get better.
 
My worry mainly is Batista.

He seems to have the right general ideas ie picking younger players, geting rid of the older guard and their dressing room interference which led to Basiles resignation for instance and kept Messi as a peripheral figure.

It's now Messi and he has really grown for club and country. He has a certain swagger and confidence that's difficult to describe but it looks now as he once did with the u20 to fully accept leading the team from the front.

However I am very concerned by Batista in the finer details of coaching and preperation.

I think the approach to games is still haphazard and far behind other teams. Take Germany for instance. The level of technical preperation which may be cliched Teutonic thoroughness is true though.

Right to the nth detail. Batista it seems to me makes it up on the hoof. You cannot afford to do that even with a very talented team in the modern game.

A good coach needs luck too and he has had that ie Olympics versus Holland but I guess we will have to wait and see.

Hence I would have gone for tacticians like Sabella and Pochettino for the future.

And that scouting network needs refinement. In the past when Argentine players have gone to Russia or Turkey they have seemingly fallen off the radar.

That Batista knows of Rojo, Pareja and Biglia is more down to their previous involvement in squads of his and u20 appearances.

The AFA still needs a drastic overhaul as do clubs in Argentina.

River Plate and Boca Juniors have great support across the whole of Latin America and even fanclubs across the globe and are true giants of club football.

You could not tell that looking at the state they are in at the moment.

They should have revenue streams comparable to most European clubs but they do not maximise merchandising, their history, sponsorship deals or overseas tours.

Then there is also the problem of selling players for low prices . Mainly because the fees go to agents ie Simonian or groups of individuals . The clubs get next to nothing.

A lot of the monies end up in a few bank accounts and the clubs infrastructure suffers. Monumental needs an overhaul for instance and Boca probably need a new stadium but more likely will have to have a rebuild.

And other great clubs like Racing and Independiente are also struggling relatively speaking.

With the surging Brazilian economy I can also see many Argentine players being attracted there too. As we have seen with the ever so talented but frustrating Cavegol.

I fear for the Argentine tango style of posession passing football because too many kids are dragged off at a young age before they are physically or emotionally mature. Before they fully take up this style.

And more and more we are seeing talented juniors failing to make the grade in Europe because of premature and ill guided moves down to the nature of football economics in Argentina.

Argentina is the greatest exporter of footballers even more so than Brazil and considering Brazil has five times the population it is a great worry.

It may make the domestic league competitive because every season the top clubs lose their stars but it has lowered the quality of the football and the force Argentine clubs can exert in the Libertadores.

The ideal would be to see the top kids go to Europe because it is unavoidable at the age of 21 plus when they are more ready to move.

I can draw an analogy to ice hockey where kids who leave esp.the Czech Republic to Canada's junior leagues often struggle compared to those that play a few seasons in the European leagues.

Too many kids not just from Argentina but the rest of South America are being failed. They had the talent but not the management and attention required as people just see them as commodities not persons.

Take Juan Manuel Iturbe. I hope Porto take good care of him and keep him away from his avaricious father who sees him nothing more than a cash cow and who has already caused enormous problems by arbitraily breaking contracts with Cerro Porteno and signing for cash with Quilmes.
 
Argentina take on Portugual today at 2000GMT

Probable teams:

ARGENTINA: (4-3-3)

Sergio Romero; Javier Zanetti, Nicolas Burdisso, Gabriel Milito or Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo; Ever Banega, Javier Mascherano, Esteban Cambiasso; Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lionel Messi, Angel Di María


PORTUGUAL: (4-2-3-1)

Eduardo; Joao Pereira, Rolando,Bruno Alves,Fabio Coentrao;
Raul Meireles,Joao Moutinho;Nani,Carlos Martins,Cristiano Ronaldo ;Helder Postiga

Of course it will be billed as Messi v Ronaldo but should be an interesting tie and both sides can play.

Batista may play Messi in a free role with Lavezzi and di Maria wide and 3 DM's.

Unfortunately this means no Pastore. Rojo debuts at left back aead of better candidates in Ansaldi I feel. Garay deserves a spot ahead of Gabi Milito too.

In the u20 championship fortune continues to favour a badly coached and out of sorts Argentina.

Perazzo has a lot to answer for. Several players have emerged with credit namely the keeper Andrada, left back Tagliafico, centreback Pezzella and of course the kid Juan Manuel Iturbe.

Brazil were disrupted in the clash of the giants by an early injury to their captain and a deserved sending off for Juan but Argentina were content to sit back and soak up pressure rather than use their traditional pass and move and posession football to effect.

It's a nasty style and I would like to see Pekerman and Tocallu rushed back to the u17 and u20 to rectify it.

It's very anti Argentine to see the ball lumped up the channels for Funes Mori or Ferreyra.

YouTube - Argentina 2 x 1 Brasil - Sulamericano Sub-20 - 07/02/11 - http://tvtudoesportes.webnode.com.br/
 
Milanista said:
That's a pretty sexy Argentina line up... although I"m not sure about Milito as CB. Lavezzi-Messi sounds so tasty.
Click to expand...

Lavezzi has improved greatly and deserves it. I'd like to see them rotate freely and Zanetti provide width down the right and keep Ronaldo/ Coentrao pinned back.

di Maria needs to stick down the left and keep the width.

Shame about not seeing Pastore but hopefully he'll cme on at some point.
 
Argentina 2-1 Portugual

Portugual were unlucky not to take a draw having several chances to establish a lead notably Almeida and Ronaldo.

However when Ronaldo. Nani and Almedia disappeared their threat diminished considerably and Argentina dominated.

A little credit to Batista for nullifying Coentrao but the rest a shambles.

When a coach says after the game I am beginning to realize Pastore and Messi work well together well........ and plays Lavezzi and di Maria out of position restricting the front three width.

Not to mention 3 DMs lying very deep isolating the front three and forcing Messi to dribble from deep albeit with great skill not in danger areas.

Gaby Milito as ever was awful and a liability as usual under the high ball. This lack of physicality at the back needs to be rectified.

It was only until the introduction of Gago and Pastore that we had some semblance of pass and move with Gago actually carrying the ball pusing the front three forwards and spreading the play with an overlapping Zabaleta.

This created the two chances one for Pastore and the penalty for Martinez against Coentrao.

I will say that Zanetti did his best as did Rojo and for once there was some nice wingplay notably a chance for Lavezzi set up by Rojo.

If Batista wants to follow a Barca model play two DMs up the pitch who can pass and Pastore as a link.

The spacing between defence , midfield and forwards was a mess all night and some sloppy passing.

I am losing faith with Batista. He seems a slightly better version of Maradona only.

And the u20 missed out on the Olympics with a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay. Again a sub standard coach appointed by the mafioso at the AFA to take charge.

It's criminal. Amazing how players like Messi and Lavezzi are turned into blunt instruments by the coaching clowns at the seleccion.

YouTube - Giocate Javier Pastore in Portogallo-Argentina 1-2 - 09/02/2011 - Mediagol.it
YouTube - Le giocate di Pastore con Messi e compagni nella sconfitta contro il Giappone
YouTube - lionel Messi with Argentina VS Portugal

Next friendly v the USA I'd like this:
----------------------Romero------------------------
Zabaleta------Musacchio----Rojo----------Ansaldi----
--------------------Mascherano---------------------
----------Banega------------------Gago------------
---------------------Pastore-----------------------
---------Messi--------------------Aguero-----------
 
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