Tuesday, January 27, 2009

SAMUEL is Diego's biggest surprise for France

Diego MARADONA announced the European-based player that will represent Argentina in our friendly match against France (11 February, Marseille).

The biggest surprise is the return of Walter SAMUEL after more than two years since his last match with the Albiceleste (0-3 in a friendly match in London v. Brazil, September 2006. First match of BASILE's last tenure).

As announced before by MARADONA, Lionel MESSI will be allowed by FC Barcelona to play in that match and it'll be the first time Diego will coach him.

Injured last time around when Argentina faced Scotland in Diego's first game in charge, talented Angel DI MARIA gets his chance.

A pair from Porto (Lucho GONZALEZ and Lisandro LOPEZ) and a pair from Napoli (Ezequiel LAVEZZI and German DENIS) are included, while captain MASCHERANO was never a doubt for MARADONA.

Carlitos TEVEZ and Kun AGÜERO, two players close to the manager's heart, are also on the list.

Apart from the 20 players he named today, it is expected that in the next few days, MARADONA will call up players from the domestic league (Juan Roman RIQUELME and Juan Sebastian VERON expected to be amongst them).

Here are the 20 confirmed players:

Goalkeepers:
Juan Pablo CARRIZO (Lazio)
Sergio ROMERO (AZ Alkmaar)

Defenders:
Javier ZANETTI (Inter)
Martin DEMICHELIS (Bayern Munich)
Gabriel HEINZE (Real Madrid)
Daniel DIAZ (Getafe)
Nicolas BURDISSO (Inter -soon to be transferred to Tottenham Hotspur???-)
Walter SAMUEL (Inter)

Midfielders:
Javier MASCHERANO (Liverpool)
Fernando GAGO (Real Madrid)
Maximiliano RODRIGUEZ (Atletico Madrid)
Jonas GUTIERREZ (Newcastle United)
Luis GONZALEZ (Porto)

Forwards:
Lionel MESSI (FC Barcelona)
Sergio AGÜERO (Atletico Madrid)
Carlos TEVEZ (Manchester United)
Ezequiel LAVEZZI (Napoli)
Lisandro LOPEZ (Porto)
German DENIS (Napoli)
Angel DI MARIA (Benfica)

11 comments:

Roy said...

Burdisso? Really?

Glad to see Samuel back, when on form he's a fantastic defender. Denis? This guy is NOT National Team material. PERIOD. He's barely cutting it with Napoli, there is no way he should be with the NT.

Everyone else I don't really have a problem with. Would of liked to have seen Milito, Cavenaghi and/or Higuain(since it is versus France and all).

Pretty strong squad.

johnny said...

Yes sir, a nice looking squad, even without Roman and Veron. Some of my lesser known favorites are there, such as Gutierrez and Cata Diaz. I would rather see D. Milito than Lavezzi, but I hear Milito is still not tip top from an injury. I would prefer Garay to Burdisso. It's hard to argue too much with Diego's choices though.

Anonymous said...

No Pipita nor Cavenaghi hu. I do not know why some of these players are overlooked. Oh well, should be a great game no matter what.

Jack!

Anonymous said...

But I am glad Di Maria is there. He is a very exciting player to watch. And he always does well for Argentina.

Jack!

Forza_albicelestes said...

No zabaleta,strange.Also thought I would see Emiliano Papa in the squad.Seems a bit thin defensively.Otherwise a splendid squad.Maybe Zarate/Higuain in place of denis and coloccini in place of burdisso.I know most of us dont like him but he has been performing pretty well for the last season and half.Much Better than Burdisso.Everytime Inter concedes Burdisso seems to be the culprit

John said...

Overall this is a group of players that many coaches in this world would die for. If there is one thing that I’m concerned off is that there are many forwards and less midfielders.

There are some names that I felt should not have been omitted from this team. Pablo ZABALETA, Gonzalo HIGUAIN or Mauro ZARATE should have made the cut. Then again, this goes to show that being the manager of the Argentine National Team is the hottest seat in the world.

Anonymous said...

i really don't understand why higuain i still ignored ,and where are garay cavenaghi and ledesma of lazio he's gonna leave him to the italian? not a good option if yes,i hoped more brightness of mind from diego.i agree with those hu said no more denis ;burdisso;lavezzi.want cambiasso back

Anonymous said...

Awesome team choice. We all have our selection and it can always improve but I am very happy with the selection. Good that Romero is in the top two keeper. He is the future along with Carrizo. Waiting very very eagerly for this game and glad that I can watch it...owhooo....not long now.....
Vamos Diego
Vamos Albiceleste

Anonymous said...

GK: I think great choice, and those goaly would be the future of Argy.

DF: Am still waiting for more youngstars, I believe BURDISSO is good defender for Argy, coz he play with his heart. But I would brefer to see GARAY, COLOCCINI and GONZALO in there, they are doing great job. PAPA is going to make it though. DIAZ and ZANETTI should be out of there, sorry Capitano !!

MD: With the add of ROMAN and VERON I think we are fine, but still can't see LUIS as a national team player. It is to early for LEDESMA -Lazio-, and glad to see CAMBIASSO out of there, I love you man, but the tacktic doesn't fit with your still. However, we'll need another DM in the future.

FW: Too many stars, but DENIS and LOPEZ can't be better than MILLITO, or PIPITA ?! LAVEZZI is a good sub. ZARATE should start to learen how to be a pro player first, am a Lazialian, and what he is doing is unacceptable.

MG: DIEGO in you we trust, and who ever you choice we'll be supporting. Am just sharing my thoughts, but in the end I wish you lcuk with anyplayer you decide on !!

VAMOOOS ALBICELESTE, VAMOOOS !!

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