Friday, May 09, 2008

BATISTA names 17 for friendly against Catalunya

We are getting closer and closer to the Beijing Olympics. And on May 24th we are going to have the chance to take another look at the core of our Olympic national team when we face a friendly against Catalunya in Barcelona.

Here are the 17 players chosen by Sergio BATISTA:

Goalkeepers:
Oscar USTARI (Getafe, Spain), Sergio ROMERO (AZ Alkmaar, Holland)

Defenders:
Fabricio COLOCCINI (Deportivo La Coruña, Spain), Federico FAZIO (Sevilla, Spain), Cristian ANSALDI (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Pablo ZABALETA (Espanyol, Spain),

Midfielders:
Fernando GAGO (Real Madrid, Spain), Ever BANEGA (Valencia, Spain), Lucas BIGLIA (Anderletch, Belgium), José SOSA (Bayern Munich, Germany),

Forwards:
Angel DI MARIA (Benfica, Portugal), Sergio AGÜERO (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Lionel MESSI (FC Barcelona, Spain), Ezequiel LAVEZZI (Napoli, Italy), Marco RUBEN (Recreativo Huelva, Spain), Mauro ZARATE (Birmingham City, England) and Gonzalo HIGUAIN (Real Madrid, Spain).

I have to say that the only name that made me open my eyes in awe was none other than that of Fabricio COLOCCINI. He is obviously over 23 and he wasn't in the initial plans to go to Beijing as one of the 3 senior players that are allowed to compete in each team.

But we look to be set to lose our battle with Bayern Munich and I don't think we'll be able to have Martin DEMICHELIS playing for us in Beijing, even when Sergio BATISTA made clear that he wants to take him, Javier MASCHERANO and Juan Roman RIQUELME as the three over-23 players. The German champions are insisting in that they won't release DEMICHELIS because they are not forced by the rules. They also said they have no problems releasing José SOSA, which makes their excuse for not giving us DEMICHELIS totally pointless.

Considering DEMICHELIS was ingored by PEKERMAN when he named the squad for a World Cup that was going to be played in DEMICHELIS' back-yard, this could be yet another huge blow for a guy that is always keen on joining Argentina, whatever the competition is.

Bayern Munich said in a statement that DEMICHELIS is a player that should go to the World Cups and not the Olympics. But what if they ask the player to decide? They'll never do that. This really pisses me off. I wonder why FIFA doesn't take any measures to avoid other clubs to go the Bayern way and keep ruining the beauty of international football.

All of these said, I think COLOCCINI is there for a reason and you all know I'm not a fan of him but I'll give him my support and respect the fact that he is having a great season and he is the only player in the entire La Liga to have played EVERY MINUTE OF THE SEASON (excluding goalkeepers. Just field players).

Not surprises with the goalkeepers, a strong midfield with the likes of GAGO, BANEGA, SOSA and one of the strongest set of forwards in the world in this category. Just take a look at those names!!!!

MESSI, AGÜERO, HIGUAIN, LAVEZZI, ZARATE...wow! I want to see this match and I want the Olympics to come!

Oh and...I want DEMICHELIS and SOSA to leave Bayern Munich so I can celebrate whenever they lose without feeling guilty of being happy at the expense of two very talented young Argentine players that have the misfortune of playing for a club run by a dictatorship.

12 comments:

John said...

No not COLOCCNI!!! I know he is having a good season in La Liga but lets face the fact. He never had a good game for Argentina.

But I hope Checho wont considering on starting him but instead give someone else to partner GARAY in defense.

But Seba, aren't a little bit concern about our midfield line up. Seems to me like there is not much player who could play on the wings.

About our forwards? What can I say but perhaps the best line up in the Olympics.

Further good news is that, Kaka wont be going to the Olympics!!!

John said...

And just to share with all of you, I've just got this really bad news....

http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/5/9/sports/21200396&sec=sports

rizal hashim said...

John,
Hi tq for dropping by my humble blog.

You are a true Albiceleste, I must say.

You know what, my former boss Mustapha Kamaruddin would surely want to meet you.

He's an Argentine fan and he has a column in the Malay Mail called El Loco.

It is a pity Sergio Batista will not be coming to KL.

I would have asked him about the 1986 side, whether he was happy being a water carrier for Burruchaga, Valdano and of course Maradona.

Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Sosa is soo damn overrated. This guy is nowhere near to the NT.

John said...

Hey Rizal!!! Nice to meet you.

You know what, I love what your boss does. I've never miss his article.

Yes, please do arrange a meeting for us. I would love meet him and talk to him. Of course, you must join us too.

My e-mail address is sivanjohn@yahoo.com.

Anonymous said...

Hola que tal
Me gusto mucho este blog, tiene espíritu de ganador y de ser glorioso, aparte hay experiencia en el aire. Me gustaría tener con ustedes un intercambio de links. Un abrazo y respóndanme.

www.mundofutboleroblog.blogspot.com

Marco said...

Hola amigo, tu blog es muy bueno tambien.
A partir de tu visita a mi blog llegan estos pedidos de links.

Hacemos el intercambio de links cuando quieras.
Solo avisame.

AD said...

Hello

I'm devo from El Balón europeo
thank you for coment in my blog

would you like to exchange links?
if you like to just add my blog in your links, and i would do the same

good luck

devo

Tony Zas said...

Falta Damian Escudero en la lista, aunque creo que no debería estar...

un abrazo,

www.argentinadeportiva.blogspot.com

Seba said...

Tony, fijate que son todos jugadores que están en Europa. La temporada allá está terminando en todas las ligas y BATISTA tendría muchos problemas para convocar jugadores de la liga local en plena etapa de definición del Clausura y la Copa Libertadores.

Supongo que más adelante llamará a los jugadores que él quiera del medio local (sin olvidarnos de RIQUELME, a quien ya designó como uno de los 3 mayores de 23 que va a ir a los Juegos Olímpicos).

Saludos y gracias por tu visita y tu mensaje.

El_Acertijo said...

Hello John ! I Speak a little bit of English... do you speak Spanish?
I want to exchange links! your blog is very interesting!

abrazo de gol

www.tremendamentemotivados.blogspot.com

Ruben

Anonymous said...

4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 7 forwards ..... hmmm .... interesting