It is confirmed. It is official.
Here are your names for Argentina to face Germany in Munich on 3 March.
Goalkeepers:
Mariano ANDUJAR
Sergio ROMERO
Defenders:
Walter SAMUEL
Nicolás BURDISSO
Martín DEMICHELIS
Gabriel HEINZE
Clemente RODRIGUEZ
Nicolás OTAMENDI
Midfielders:
Javier MASCHERANO
Mario BOLATTI
Javier PASTORE
Jonas GUTIERREZ
Angel DI MARIA
Jesús DATOLO
Juan Sebastián VERON
Forwards:
Lionel MESSI
Gonzalo HIGUAIN
Sergio AGÜERO
Diego MILITO
Carlos TEVEZ
More analysis to follow, but please do send us your initial feelings and thoughts about this...
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147 comments:
Of course my first reaction when I got this list from a colleague was to go immediately to the forwards' list and check whether our best out-and-out striker right now, Diego MILITO, was included.
After a big sigh of relief and an even bigger smile, I then check the other names and noticed a few interesting things:
BOLATTI seems to be beating GAGO in the race to become a fixture when it comes to pick a midfielder to play alongside MASCHERANO. But...where's the most in-form Argentine player in that role Ever BANEGA?
Javier PASTORE also makes the list. He could offer an option for us to have a true up-and-coming play-maker who seems to be making huge progress in Italy.
Speaking of Italy...Roma's Nicolás BURDISSO and Inter's Walter SAMUEL are both included.
From the domestic league, MARADONA announced that he didn't call up PALERMO but he is still considering him for the future. He said it was best to leave PALERMO alone right now and give him some rest. Or was it that he doesn't want to expose PALERMO against a proper rival?
He did call some players from the Argentine league: Clemente RODRIGUEZ and Juan Sebastián VERON from Estudiantes and Nicolás OTAMENDI from Velez. All of them with previous experience.
I would have called BANEGA but other than that and the inclusion of Gabriel HEINZE, I've got no major complains.
Where's Banega?
I thought i was going to be called?
,
msi
im agree with seba but my only complaint is the fact the best midfielder in benega is not called up and possibily cambassio with datolo and veron who should not be their and im not convinced about bolatti
Wow great to see Milto and Samuel on the list its about time, let hope they get some game time to show what they can too,
Im ok with the defenders
if Burdisso, Samuel, Demichelis, Heinze starts
The Midielders on the other hand still can be better
NO Aimar NO BENEGA what the hell!!!!!
Still the list is getting better from what we had on the WCQ
Vamos
Lucas
Could have been worse and better. The thing that worries me the most is that it looks like Diego thinks that Veron and Bolatti are the main cogs in midfield. I don't think either fit the bill and would prefer both be dropped in favor of Banega and Aimar. The exclusion of Banega is really sad.
where the hell bolatti d'atolo burdisso clemente are doing here .where are cambiasso banega a insua and ansaldi
bardisso--dem--samual--henz
pastore--mass--veron--dimaria
----------messi-------------
----------------higuain----------
not a bad unit id say
AUD,, LEICESTER, UK..
It is looking better and better. Not going to lie. Add a couple more names here and there and I think everybody will be pleased, am I right?
Jack!
Absolutely extatic to see Samuel and Milito included. Really dissappointed that Benga doesn't get the call, same goes for Cambiasso and Aimar. I would have also prefered to see Garay in place of Burdisso.
As surprised as I am with a certain few that were left out or a certain few that are included, I am in no way about to complain. This seems like the best list of players Diego has called since taking over. This squad gives us a chance to compete against Germany.
My changes....
GARAY for Burdisso
ZABALETA for Rodriguez
BANEGA for Datolo
CAMBIASSO for Bolatti
man hold on wat da hell wheres ever banega at cmom Diego man
dis guy is master on the fiel.
If Diego call BANEGA and add to those list will be perfect.
A couple changes I forgot to mention....
ZANETTI for Heinze/Otamendi
AIMAR for Gutierrez
Banega is of course the elephant in the room, it seems he is ignored for a reason, just like Higuain was ignored before and got a call only because we were very desperate before the Peru game.
I am not happy with Heinze, Clemente Rodriguez, Veron and Datolo but of course there is never a list that makes everybody happy.
Still that is a list of 20 players; if we go to the world cup with them plus another goalie, Banega and Gabi Milito/Zanetti I will be happy.
Ari...
E. Insua for Heinze
Lucho for Datolo
Banega for Bolatti
Isn't there a lack of true fullbacks on this squad ? Is Diego looking for Gutierrez to be a swing man again ?
i would be happy with the following midfielders
masherano,perotti,pastore,benega,
aimar,cambassio,di maria
I agree with PABLO and JOHNY..Great stuff..Banega desperately needed,Peroti,Aimar,Pastore,Mascherano,Lucho..!
I'm going to officially shut up and let this team do what it can. Let's keep level heads about this squad. Some of these guys have not played together since the last qualifying match so I'm not expecting these guys to come out, guns blazing.
Not sure who said it, but great comment about Maradona leaving out Palermo to keep him from looking bad against quality defenders. Look for him to do the same with Aguero, his son-in-law. He's done a quality job of keeping him and Messi nice and separated to keep the pressure on La Pulga.
I'm bummed about Banega not making the team either but he's younger than Bolatti and he might not be ready to feature for the national team. Or Diego's just crazy, you take your pick.
I'm happy with this list. He's picked some of the right guys and left some of the other off. Although, he's crazy to leave Zanetti off the team going to the world cup if he's still playing well.
I'm extremely happy with the inclusion of Samuel. I just now hope he will get the start. I'm also surprised by the inclusion of Burdisso. For me it's a good surprise. With Clemente and Burdisso, I truly believe we already answer our problem in right back as for me they both are the best options for the right back. Smart choice by Maradona.
Guys, I don't exactly know why u guys have underestimated Clemente that much. For me, he's the BEST right back we have. His stamina is amazing and he's great against skillful n speedy wingers. Even in ole.com several months ago, there was a polling as for the best right back. Hundred thousands voted including me. Guess who won? Not Zanetti nor Zabaletta nor Coloccini nor Gutierrez, but it's Clemente!
I have a strong feeling that Clemente will be our starting right back in the WC.
So only 3-4 (including Datolot) domestic based players now out of 20. I think these 20 have a big chance of retaining their spots by the WC. I expect the last 3 names to be all domestic based players.
I love all the players called in general. The GK are the best we have. The defense, for me, almost perfect! Only Heinze is questionable for me. However, if we start Clemente, we need Heinze as left back more than Ansaldi or Insua because Heinze is more defensive minded.
The midfield are OK: no matter who our back ups, these will surely start by the WC: Mascherano, Veron, Gutierrez, Di Maria. I agree with all of u. Banega, currently the fifth best player in the Spanish league, must be "at least" Veron's back up to accompany Mascherano.
Ther forward is perfect. All of them but Aguero are among the top scorers in their leagues. For me 5 forwards for the WC is enough. Milito must do well in training to impress Maradona, not in a match because I believe Messi, Higuain, Tevez, and even Aguero are all ahead of him in pecking order.
Some regular names missing:
1. Schiavi: is it because of the Argentine league playing at the same time as Germany game?
2. Coloccini: I disagree with him as our starting right back, but I thought he did OK the last time he played for us.
3. Ansaldi: Maradona tried and he was below par against Spain.
4. Insua: Even Ansaldi is ahead of him in order.
5. Banega: the last missing link.
6. Aimar: why??? He started one game against Peru and had an assist and worked well with Messi. Now Pastore is ahead of him? I have nothing against Pastore, but he's inconsistent.
7. Gago n Cambiasso: both should be now behind Banega.
8. Maxi: He already made a great move to Liverpool, Benitez already helped him out, but he has yet to impress.
9. Perotti: he doesn't play that good lately. Even Capel is in a better form for Sevilla.
10. Lavezzi: injured.
11. Palermo: rested.
12. Lisandro Lopez, Zanetti, n Lucho: almost definitely no WC for them.
Principee
I am officially loosing my mind here!!! No one try to convince me anymore that this drug addict is doing the best for his nation. he is doing what his corrupted mind wants to do...
somethings might be debatable, like is Aguero better that Saviola or Zarate? but the following points cannot be debated, and they are only the work of a man of bigger echo than a complete nation:
- Rodriguez: WTF. Zanetti, anyone?
- Otamendi: the worst defender i have seen in Arg shirt. whenever he played he made the back line disastrous
- Banega: what to say? how can he be left out??????????????? the asshole loves Bolatti, Veron, and Gago. and for that only leaves Banega out. in the final WC list he will do the impossible to include gago also.
Banega is defintely my biggest disappoitment and this kills in me any hope of having a decent midfield that knows how to run the ball....screw this
*cries*
wheres aimar?????????????? :(
i m quite happy with this list. atleast this one is better then previous ones... n hope diego will continue his good work n may include banega in next friendly .... HOPE ARGENTINA CAN BEAT GERMANY IN THEIR BACKYARD AND TAKE OUR REVENGE..... VAMOS ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!
i really would like to see zanetti. couldnt he play at left back instead of heinze? other than that and banega not being included i really dont have any complaints
Where is Banega??????????????????????
Where is Aimar???????????????????????
Where is Zanetti or Zabaleta??????
And what the hell have Jonas, Datolo, Bolatti, Otamendi and Pastore done to deserve to be in this squad????????
Pastore....I really can not understand all the fuzz about him....he has often been a sub for Palermo! How can he be given a place in Diego's squad over Aimar? And Bolatti over Banega and Cambiasso? Jonas(1.division player)over Maxi? Datolo over Perotti? Otamendi over Zanetti/Zabaleta?
I am so tired of this shit!!!
By the way: The 5 forwards picked are perfect. Just add Lisandro and I am happy with our attackers, at least.
Disappointed like many of you with one missing name. EVER BANEGA. What does this monster of a player has to do to be good enough in this coach's eyes.
Agree the list does look better. Good thing is, I ain't so hype up as I should be.
Let see how this team fare.
Guys this list includes 18 players only so maybe hes considering Ansaldi or whoever but didn't include them!
My gut reaction is for the first time in 4 years im actually happy!
Andujar (Best 2nd choice GK)
Romero (Best GK we have)
Samuel (Best CB we have)
Demi (Best 2nd choice CB)
Heinze (Experience i guess!)
Burdisso (Not bad)
Otamendi (Hes ok needs experience)
Clemente(Good choice)
Mascherano (Duuh!)
Bolatti (Not a bad option!)
Veron (Experience)
Pastore (Good playmaker)
Di Maria (Duuh)
Datolo (Good option just incase)
Jonas (throw him anywhere he plays)
Messi (Duuh)
Aguero (Duuh)
Tevez (Has been playing well)
Millito (Thank god)
Higuain (Duuh!)
I think Diego is in love with the players and strategy that won him his biggest victory, over Uruguay. That was a very conservative approach, with Veron orchestrating midfield, four centerbacks spread across the back and Bolatti with the clinching goal. So what do we see now-old man Veron, untested Bolatti and a glut of centerbacks.
I'm telling you-with this squad we are going to have the same old problems with linkage between midfield and Messi and the other strikers. For me, that's why it is so important to have either Banega or Aimar on the squad.
I guess with all the attacking firepower that Argentina possesses Maradona is going to play some bullshit conservative game where Veron putzes around in midfield and we watch Messi and everybody else up front have nothing to do. WE HAVE SEEN THAT BEFORE !
King Aguero-get out your calculator brother-that's 20, not 18 !:)
Johnny's right, that's 20 players not 3. Assuming that these 20 are the players that Diego takes to the World Cup(and let's be honest, aside from possibly Bolatti and Datolo missing out on the list, this is it), who are the other 3? We know he'll take 3 goalkeepers, so we're at 21. Possibly another defender(Angeleri?), that's 22. And of course(yet sadly), Palermo. Which makes 23. Assuming there are no injuries, this is it.
As for the list, it's not bad. Easily Diego's best list to date, no doubt about that. I'm surprised Banega didn't get called up. What does he have to do to get on the squad?! He's been the driving force in Valencia's midfield all season long and a huge part of their attack. I'm guessing this is the end of Cambiasso and Zanetti. Goodbye boys, thanks for everything!
Surprised to see Pastore in there. Will be interesting to see if Diego actually starts him against Germany, though if we are to play a 4-4-2(which seems to be Diego's favourite formation with us), we probably won't see Pastore. Glad to see Samuel and Burdisso in there. Though one of them will likely start the match on the bench. There's no way Rodriguez won't start on the right. Heinze is a lock for Diego on the left, same for Demichelis in the center. Which leaves either Samuel or Burdisso. My money's on Samuel starting.
Diego Milito makes the list, I'm not that shocked. He's constantly been picked by Diego in every major game, but he just doesn't play.
Messi on the right, Milito in the middle and Higuain on the left, please!
Happy that maradona is going on the right track.We will get there!
The following players definitely needs to be there:
Defense: Zanetti
MidField: Banega
Offense: Zarate
I can't see how Maradona doesn't give them not only calls, but starting 11 places.
I would include also Garay, Zabaletta, Aymar & Lucho in the team.
Thanks for all the comments coming in as we were surely be expecting more based on this hot topics.
Overall I have to say this looks to be the best list ever to come out from Diego. Honestly.
But I do share most of your sentiments about the fact there is still room for improvement especially when you have consider names likes BANEGA, ZANETTI, CAMBIASSO, SAVIOLA and even AIMAR for the National Team.
This is just my summary for this list. Though Diego might certain about who is going to South Africa and I still feel he has a lot more to do. And a long way to go before kick off in June.
midfield is a little bit weak... where is MAXI RODRIGUES....... TEAM COMBINATION IS MORE IMPORTANT
On a range of disapointment, I’m at 95%. We know that there are no tactics with Maradona. So if the best players had been there at WC, we would have had some hope kept alive.
What is this list? No Aimar. No Maxi Rodriguez. No Banega. No Cambiasso. No Lopez. No Zanetti. No Saviola. No Lucho. No Insua. No Zabaleta. Only people who don’t complain and who will praise Maradona like their “Fidel Castro” commander just to have a piece of albiceleste. Maradona wants the power in the locker-room. He has it. The problem is that he doesn’t have the futbol.
Samuel, DeMichelis and Heinze (who is still injured!) will be exposed like hell, like in the past games. Our fantastic forwards will have to do kamikaze dribblings. Nothing will change than against Bolivia.
And guess who are the 2 guys missing to complete the 23-men list? Palermo & Schiavi.
What do we conclude about Clemente Rodriguez’s presence? That he will start and that Samuel will sit on the bench.
Enough. I won’t comment. What can I say? What can we say? Guys, we have been losing our time for so long.
it is very strange that many of you guys say "this is the best list so far"?! what exactly has changed?
Samuel is a good addition and a must start. but then what happened? no Zanetti, Cambiasso, Insua, Ansaldi, and especially Banega....
So no reason to be even 1% more happy then before!
It is sad, but if the media and the people of Argentina let this silly act continue then they deserve what is comming in the WC...so sorry to say that and i am the most die-hard fan ever!!
i agree wid johny that we gonna play like an uruguay game,our strikers will suffer again.
Zaneti is good at Inter. But at the NT he wasn't that good in the previous games. Cambiasso has never been good for NT as for Inter. Zarate? He never releases the ball. That only works for a middle table team. In NT every offensive player is better than him.
The only one I miss is Benega. He could be Veron's backup plan. With the forwards we have, it is better to playmake from deep and leave space at the front for Messi/Huguain/Milito to explore. Remember what happened in 2002/2006? A possession game for a tournament is not a good idea. Teams will park the bus, and we don't have that great stamina.
This is how I see it. Maradona combines his key players with those who have 50% chance to go to the WC. Why? Because Maradona said in an article that those who are not called have the same chances as those who are called.
Maradona is done with his domestic based experiment. I am convinced that he will not called new domestic based players anymore...not until the WC. However, this match against Germany will be the decisive moment for some foreign based players to prove their worth.
Romero, Andujar, Demichelis, Samuel, Heinze, Clemente, Otamendi, Mascherano, Veron, Gutierrez, Di Maria, Messi, Tevez, Higuain are in my opinion the "60 %" of the squad that Maradona has in mind (like what he himself said that he's decided 60 % of them). In case you have yet to realize: 14/23 is roughly 60 %.
So the other 6 are NOT guaranteed. They only have around 50 % chance:
1. Burdisso: he still has to face the competetion from Coloccini and Zabaleta.
2. Bolatti: his main competitors are Banega, Gago, and Cambiasso.
3. Pastore: Maradona apparently wants to see if he's better than Aimar.
4. Datolo: our next Kily Gonzales must still compete with Maxi or Perotti.
5. Aguero: how I see it is Aguero vs. Lavezzi and...
6. Milito: ...Milito vs. Palermo.
How about the last 3? For me it's a goalie, at least a defender, and a midfielder/forward.
It might be a domestic based goalie, Schiavi, and a midfielder / a forward.
Last but not least. I know a lot of you might not agree with me, but we do need Martin Palermo as our "secret weapon". He would fill the role of Guiza for Spain in Euro 2008. Palermo offers something different from others. If we badly need a goal with 10 minutes to go or so, we can rely on him on high balls. Other might be better than him skillwise, but height factor alone is already an advantage.
We must also think of our 5 penalty takers should we face PK shootout. Our best 5 are: Veron, Messi, Tevez, Aimar, Maxi. Not good enough!
Principee
Romero
Zanetti-Samuel-Demichelis-Insua
Mascherano
Benega DiMaria
Messi Higuain
Milito
Guys, why not trying to write his name right?
It's Banega, not Benga or Benega.
I think he deserves it...
If Higuain plays, he should ONLY play as a centre forward not as a winger. He might be a better finisher than Aguero but as a winger, Aguero is miles ahead of Higuain. My forward line would be: Aguero-Milito-Messi.
Higuain can be a sub for Milito and Tevez as a sub for Aguero. Messi simply CAN'T be subbed.
And it is just a shame that Banega isn't there. Oh GOD, mardroga just left out our best midfielder!!!
romaro
jonas demi samuel heinze
messi mach banega di maria
hig milito
subs zanetti,saviola,tavez,d.milito,perotti,cambassio,pastore,aimar,
aguero has not impress so far this season and the full backs give me grief maybe clamante or ansaldi could be given a go but at the moment im unsure about them.
Zanetti, Maxi, Lisandro Please!!!
Bolatti played great v. Bayern tonight....
Not exactly, he worked really hard and covered the midfield well but misplaced a couple of simple passes and never really looked to bring the ball foward. It was his first CL game so it is understandable to misplace passes and from what i've seen from him at Huracan, he's capable of so much more.
A third goali.
I would change Otamendi with Garay, Fazio or someother defender .. And maybe add another one.
Not that happy with midfield, Bolatti not really, I would like to see a better dude in there. We need another defensive minded midfield and no am not talking about Cambiasso. Sorry, but I just don't like him around the NT.
Our attacking strike looks amazing, but if Diego wanna add Palermo to them then I have no problem as long as he doesn't start up. However, I would take L. Lopez over Milito any day.
I am a super Banega and Zarate fan, (I do actually support Valencia and Lazio) and I do believe they are great talents, but to be honest, I don't think they can make the cut to the world cup. Messi didn't get his chance in the WC2006, so I don't think Maradona would feel comfortable risk playing them. I totally understand it, and I am fine with it. More world cups to come for them.
All in all..
Goalkeepers:
Mariano ANDUJAR
Sergio ROMERO
+ Oscar USTARI
Defenders:
Walter SAMUEL
Nicolás BURDISSO
Martín DEMICHELIS
Gabriel HEINZE
Clemente RODRIGUEZ
+ Gabi MILITO
+ Fabricio COLOCCINI / Ezequiel GARAY / Federico FAZIO
Midfielders:
Javier MASCHERANO
Javier PASTORE / Pablo AIMAR
Jonas GUTIERREZ
Angel DI MARIA
Jesús DATOLO / Ezquiel LAVEZZI
Juan Sebastián VERON
+ Pablo ZABALETA
Forwards:
Lionel MESSI
Gonzalo HIGUAIN
Sergio AGÜERO
Diego MILITO / Lisandro LOPEZ
Carlos TEVEZ
+ Hahaha PALERMO / Javier SAVIOLA
I can't be happier with such a list, I added the 3 names I would want to see (not Palermo) and removed some non qualified players. I gave options for some in case they won't be fit for the world cup.
Let me tell you the worst scenarios for germany game:
1. If we win (ofcourse not by tactics, but by masterpiece players moment on magic): Argentina press will praise Diego to heaven. Diego is smiling hes silly smile again and then he is sure, that he is one a hell of a coach. Players(who plays) will definetly momentum in WC squad and then you can say bye bye to Lisandro, Lucho, Maxi....
2. If we lose by little score: Diego will send off players, he didnt put on the game (for example Milito will play 5 minutes, and he can not convince Diego) and for the next game he will invite strange names and benchwarmers like Gago (again!).
3. If we lose by a large margin: Diego is furious and he is sure, that the problem comes from the players. Many of our favourite players (for example Samuel, Higuain) get "fired" and he will call players who fight (as diego said) and that means more men from domestic league. We cept clean sheet against Uruguay and if we concede lot of goals against Germany, then Diego is sure, that defenders against Uruguay are better then Samuel.
IM SORRY DIEGO MARADONA, BUT.....
YOU WERE A PERFECT PLAYER, BUT DRUGS MESSED YOU UP AND NOW YOU ARE WITH BRAINS LIKE MY 8-YEAR OLD BROTHER.
Nice to read from you PRINCIPEE & TOTTI
Things are simple. Maradona/Bilardo want us to counter attack. Like in 1986, a date that is always present in AFA’s communication. So Maradona/Bilardo consider that the most suitable players to match their demands are:
- the defenders: if possible, strong, tall, efficient in defence (Jonas, Bolatti, Veron, Samuel, Otamendi, De Michelis)
- the counter attackers: fast and good dribblers (Lavezzi, Datolo, Di Maria, Tevez, Messi, etc)
Add all the biased criterias (family, friends, nationalism, Boca, military) and you have chaos.
Maradona doesn’t want posesion futbol and technicians that we used to watch & love under Pekerman. We will never see Aimar, Riquelme, Banega, Cambiasso, Saviola, Lucho, Maxi, D’Alessandro and all the people who make this game beautiful.
AFA gave its chance to the posesion futbol in 2006 (and we were so close…). Now they want to bring 1986 back and let the most technique players aside. This is in my opinion, the biggest mistake AFA has ever made. It’s when our opponents start to understand that games are won because of the possession (ex:Spain) that we decide to do the contrary and let down our traditional strenght.
The team that will face Germany will start at WC, even if it fails (guess who’s more stubborn than a donkey?). Maybe Maradona/Bilardo plan this:
—————–Romero——————
Burdisso—DeMichelis–Heinze—Clemente
Jonas—–Mascherano—Veron——DiMaria
————-Messi—–Tevez————-
With this kind of tactics and players not confident without the posesion, if the opponent scores first then we are dead (like against Brazil, Catalunya, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, etc).
Maradona/Bilardo will get destroyed after WC.
Hi guys...
its sad to see some technically gifted and sound players being left out again...but then again argentina has seen some of our best talents got wasted and not utilised over the years...carlos roa (only 16 caps!),bochini, redondo, marcelo delgado, d'alessandro, gallardo, walter gaitan (considered one of the best midfielders in the mexican league), riquelme..and I'm sure the list will grow even bigger. What do you guys think? Do you have names that were neglected time and time again, denied to shine in an albiceleste shirt?
mac
Maybe "Maxi Lopez" is right about the counter attack strategy. That would fit in with my idea that Maradona wants to replay the Uruguay match. But remember the counter attacks in that match !? Horrible. Pathetic. Disorganized. Brazilians watching those "counter attacks" would have laughed until they peed themselves.I hope Maxi Lopez and myself are wrong !
I'm actually pretty relieved that Papa didn't make the list, but again i'm dissapointed that Otamendi is here! I mean the guy didn't have a single good match with us! Garay and Gabi Milito deserve to be there if they play more football with Real and Barca.
As for the midfield I would prefer Perroti as Di Maria's understudy rather than Datolo.
Bollati is just like Gago, pretty Average. There should really be a campaign in Argentina for the inclusion of Banega!
And poor Zanetti, playing in more than 130 matches for us and strangely missing out on 2 world cups.
I have seen glimpses of counterattacks in the last couple of years, I am not sure if they were planned or we just happened to be under pressure and our forwards suddenly found themselves in a counterattacking position; but nonetheless it is something we always lack and need.
(just on top of my head; the winning game in the 08 Olympics final; second goal against France in the friendly, and some others I do not remember specifically when).
We have the elements for an excellent counterattacking team in the forward line; all of Messi, Tevez, Aguero and Higuain can execute a counterattack with perfection; they are all fast and can beat defenders on one-one situations. But for that to work we need a more solid defense and somebody to link that solid defense to the front line (Banega definitely, Veron may be? or Gago just if the MF can find himself again!).
Ari
No Javier Saviola? maradona is making a big mistake here.
He could have have used and test saviola againest germany
What idiot maradona is, is that right folks?
No it is not, RESPECT !!!!!!!!
Dear Mr Anonymous..
A bigger idiot is somebody who dare to criticized somebody else on the internet but don't have any balls to use his real or even a screen name. It's like you shoot a guy from behind while covering your face and run like a chicken after that...
and about the list, i'm pretty happy with it. I would like to see Aimar on the list but if Diego try to put every player that have been mention here or any other blog/website, Argentina will have 3 different team for this match alone... and like it or not, there can only be 11 players on the field wearing the sacred shirt..
Counter-attacking football simply will put more woes on us. We love Argentina for their beautiful football, not cowardish counter-attcks. The players are used to play possession-based football. We can't forget that we are not brazil and we shouldn't try to emulate them either coz that's the brazilian way and it works for them. Beautiful football won us plaudits in last wc. I am not sure if counter-attack will even take us to quarter-finals. Coz brazil and europeans are masters at that except for spain. If spain and Barcelona can do it, we can do it too. We got what it takes to be a team who play beautiful football, dominate and thrash opponents in the mean time.
I have to agree with the idea that we are missing some key veteran players such as Aimar, Cambiasso, and Zanetti. I think Veron needs to go. He is slow and old and won't be able to keep up with our young fast forwards. I'm pretty happy with the defense, except I noticed some of you are not happy with Heinze. Why not? He is an incredibly dedicated defensive player!
If maradona will be kind enough to argentine football by picking my team, then argentina will find the long lost glory they deserve
Goalkeepers:
Mariano ANDUJAR
Sergio ROMERO
Oscar USTARI
Defenders:
Walter SAMUEL
Nicolás BURDISSO
Martín DEMICHELIS
Ansaldi
Zanetti
Fabricio COLOCCINI
Ezequiel GARAY
Midfielders:
Javier MASCHERANO
Pablo AIMAR
Jonas GUTIERREZ
Angel DI MARIA
Cambiasso
Ezquiel LAVEZZI
Ever Banega
Perotti
Forwards:
Lionel MESSI
Gonzalo HIGUAIN
Sergio AGÜERO
Diego MILITO
Carlos TEVEZ
We will never be able to dublicate the 'beautiful football' we played in the 2006 World Cup under Maradona. If the counter-attack style is what takes to win games then so be it. I don't even care if we play ugly football anymore, I just want to win games for a change!
Hi guys..I'm a die-hard Argentine fan and like every other world cup I will be cheering for Argentina this time as well..This squad selected for the germany friendly is better than the ones chosen before but i feel there can be a better team .my 23 member squad for Argentina is
Defenders:
1.insua
2.zanetti
3.samuel
4.demichelis
5.gaby milito(sub)
6.zabalata(sub)
Mid-fielders:
7.banega
8.mascherano
9.aimar
10.veron(Sub)
11.di maria(sub)
12.cambiasso(sub)
13.gutierrez(sub)
Forwards:
14.messi
15.higuain
16.diego milito
17.tevez(sub)
18.aguero(sub)
19.saviola(sub)
20.crespo(sub)
Goal-keepers:
21.romero(gk)
22.ustari (gk)(sub)
23.andujar (gk)(sub)
what do u have to say about my squad guys?
I hope we can win the cup this time around..Vamos Argentina!!!!
Good squad Anirudh but why do you have 7 forwards and only 7 midfielders and 6 defencemen? That's a little much for forwards don't you think?
I would add Garay on defence instead of Crespo and maybe add Lucho in the midfield in place of Saviola.
i also don't care if Argentina plays beautyful or ugly football, the only important thing is the result. if you win you are happy and it doesn't matter how the victory was achieved.
can't remember a team that played beautiful football and won the wc in the last 36 years.
Vitalij from Germany
Hi Vitalji, France played some attractive football en route to World Cup victory in 1998.
yes, screw ugly and counter-attacking football. If Barca and Spain can get results playing beautiful football, we can easily do it. Only by doing that, we can go back to our golden form. Argentina 6 serbia 0 if anyone forgot that.
LM10ARG,
Obviously everyone here would rather see Argentina play like we did in 2006, we played the most attractive football in the world. I don't want to see us play the counter attack/ugly football either but we all know that there is no way we will be able to play like we did in 2006 under Maradona. My first concern is winning, then I'll worry about what style we play.
....and I don't think anyone in the world can forget Argentina's performance vs. Serbia, no matter what country they support!
Thanks GK...yeah may be i added an extra forward..probably could drop a forward for a defender or a mid fielder...
my reason for choosing Saviola is that he is playing really really well with Benfica at the moment and is in top form scoring goals..
As far as Crespo is concerned, I chose him because i feel we need someone experienced upfront and also someone who has a good height like Crespo in order to rise above some of the taller and bigger defenders of Germany and other nations. If you notice,all our forwards are short in height and physically not as strong to face the german defence. We need height upfront for corners and headers to rise above the tall germans. Thats why I chose Crespo. We could probably do without Aguero in that case but that is something impossible considering Maradona is the coach.
Also, can u plz enlighten me about Garay..I really don't know how he plays and what kind of a player is he..I've heard he's really good in the defence..kindly enlighten me on Garay.
Thanks!!
Garay is a CB for Real Madrid which I'm sure you already know. He isn't anything amazing but he is a solid CB and has started to get alot more playing time sicne Pepe went down with injury. I would take him in place of Burdisso any day but I'm sure only 50% of Mundo readers will agree with me while the other 50% would pull for Burdisso or G. Milito. I'm not saying Garay is a tremenous CB but I would call him to South Africa and have him on the bench as a sub or use him in our third group match to rest Samuel or Demichlis. But if I were in charge there is no doubt that Samuel-Demichelis would be my prefered CB's.
Garay came on in at the start of the second half against Lyon this week in Champions League and he looked good, not sure why he didn't start. Not sure if you will be able to find any Garay videos on youtube but watch a Real Madrid match sometime soon and I'm sure you'll see why I am pulling for him. He was also apart of Argentina's U23 Gold Medal winning Olympic team in 2008.
hey thanks a lot GK...thanks for the info..
i'll definitely look up youtube n see if i can find any garay videos there..
btw ..who do u think we are going to face in the round of 16?
Anirudh, here is an article I came across on goal.com about Garay. Provides alot more information on his player type than I gave you. Enjoy....
http://goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2010/01/14/1744214/spanish-inquisition-real-madrids-book-of-ezequiel
Taking someone to play as a sub, and only play on the 3rd game if we actually qualified is kinda non scene. Sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but am just opening your eyes, coz in the end I would take Garay, but you point just doesn't help the case. And Burdisso is preferred bcoz he play as a RB as well, and have some experience since he played in 2006.
About playing beautiful game our syup!d counter attack, then trust me you'll find no one against counter attack more than me, and I am really hurt to see my team play such an ugly game. But to be honest, if we are playing the beautiful game just after 1986, and only won one trophy, then maybe it is about time to just watch Argentina play that ugly football, and hope for best !!
hi,
samuel back on the list is good, i prefer him with demi at the centre back. i think diego should call zabalete to strengthen up the back line because he has a good game reading.
banega, cambiasso, aimar not in the list. quite sad. but to see maxi, gago also not on the list makes me happy. haha
our attacking, WOW, hopefully they done a good job against germany.
wandy
Thanks GK..the article was quite helpful...
any news about Riquelme?Is he going to make a comeback?..May be some people from Argentina will be able to update us on that...
We really need him..
http://pasionalbiceleste.wordpress.com/
The last three posts on this site confirms Riquelme is officially done with the national team.
Romero-
Zanetti Demichelis Samuel (Leftback)
Mascherano, Cambiasso
Messi Aimar Di Maria
Higuain
The left back spot is the most doubtful spot for almost everyone.For me its between Heinze, Insua , and Ansaldi an it really depends on the game. if we want a more defensive leftback(heinze) or if we want a more attacking option (ansaldi) or something in between (insua). Also i think with maradona as coach veron is going to take aimars spot in my formation so he could also be an option to start there. I just think Aimar can combine really well with Messi and off course Di maria too because they are benfica teamates. Banega could be perfect back up for Cambiasso and the striker spot is also up for grabs with Higuain, Milito, Tevez, Aguero, and (Palermo?) challenging.
My WC Squad
Romero
Andujar
Ustari
Zanetti
Demichelis
Samuel
Heinze
Burdisso
G. Milito
Ansaldi
Mascherano
Cambiasso
Veron
Banega
Aimar
Di maria
Jonas or Maxi (depending on form)
Lucho (versatile)
Messi
Higuain
D. Milito
Tevez
Aguero
Thanks GK..from wat i figured..Riquelme is surely not coming back..
sad for Argentina!!!!
bardisso--dem--sam--henz
---------mass-veron--------
------pastore--------------dimaria
-----messi------------
---------------higuain------
pastore roman like roll
dimaria winger
veron deep playmaker leader
messi free roll forward and right
hig the 9 target man only henze pushes up from back
those of you that doubt hig....bang bang 2 more goals and aguero no go as hes deemed only good enough for the bench.
at the moment hig and milito should be upfront together and that would scare the shit out of defenders.
this would also help free up messi with two upfront and two very inform hit men.
pablo d, Aguero is not starting coz he is having prob with injuries so the coach doesn't wanna risk him playing every single game. higuain might be scoring goals and might be a better STRIKER than Aguero, but Aguero is miles ahead of higuain as a left/right sided player. What Aguero can do, higuain can't even think of it. Aguero is a Messi-esque player who can take on defenders, dribble past with ease and destroy them if he is on top form. Either way around, I would like to see Milito over higuain coz Milito is the best finisher Argentina has. And I will pick Tevez over higuain any day as well. If u have any doubt over Aguero's abilities, watch Argentina vs russia friendly highlights. Aguero scored a stunner and beautifully set up 2 goals. higuain is far off Aguero's level. Form is temporary but class is permanent. Aguero is suffering with injuries but he is a class above higuain. So is Tevez. The only reason higuain scores so many goals coz he plays for real madrid. Would he score so many goals playing for a small team like genoa in a defensive italian league and playing for a team like zaragoza which Diego Milito did??? Milito>>>higuain. Same for Tevez. higuain always struggled in big games unlike Milito and tevez. he mostly scores against small teams. Even against a team like lyon, higuain flopped. Some Argentina fans need to watch Inter milan and Mangamester city games rather than only watching real madrid.
It's not just this season even in last season, Diego Milito was more prolific than higuain scoring 24 goals and 31 in a super-defensive italian league playing for genoa. While higuain scored 22 goals from 34 games playing for real madrid in a free-flowing spanish league. Who is more prolific??? I was disgusted and I still am when most fans were calling for Higuain and didn't say much about giving Diego Milito chances. Same thing happening this year, every1 is saying pipita must be the hitman bla bla bla. I have no clue who will end up playing under maradona. But the fact is Diego Milito is a better striker than higuain and he deserves to start. If he doesn't, that will be a shame.
Messi-Milito-Tevez/Aguero(depending on form)
LM10ARG,
I agree Milito is better than Higuain. But to put Tevez and Aguero (in the current form) ahead of Higuain is just pushing it too far.
If it was up to me, i would play Messi and DiMaria just behind Milito. But Higuain would be my first choice sub. I would even include Zarate in place of Aguero without even blinking.
LM10Arg-
You know last season a lot of people said Higuain's season was a fluke. That no way would he score like he did when Real Madrid bought all those players. Guess what, he is doing much better then last season. We have seen a Messi and Kun/Tevez combo and trio and it has failed. Higuain can put pressure on defenders with his size and pace. Tevez and Kun are fantastic footballers but we have plenty of little guys, and Higuain stands around 6 feet tall and we need that. A Mess/Kun may work vs smaller teams like the Mexican team, but if we go up against a towering backline good luck with that. We are also not talking about ability, we have to talk about what is needed. Kun is fantastic on the ball nobody doubts that, but it will be a disaster if we try to start two or more little guys up front.
What is all this negative feelings towards Higuain? This kid is younger then Lio, and is going to be a part of our national team for over a decade, D.Milito has a couple years left with the national team. I know you're viewing Higuain as a rival to D.Milito but this can not be a rivalry, that you have to understand.
Also you can not make statements such as "If Higuain played for a smaller club" how good would he be. If Higuain was not good enough then Real Madrid would of never invested money to buy him as a 19 year old prospect. I could easily say if Milito was that good at 19 then clubs would of gone after for him as well. Also what if Lio never went to Barcelona, what would be written for the great Lionel Messi? This can go on and on. It is not like Higuain is not performing and getting a call up. The kid is 3rd in Spain with goals, behind Messi and David Villa. And with all the players they have, Higuain has the most goals and likely does not have as much playing time then the rest of the team. Look just sit back and enjoy the players we have such as Higuain,Messi,Aguero,Tevez,Milito and so on. An
Jack!
koma get a life ok, their other anonymous posters here too, pack it in, we all have our reasons not to register
Sure everyone has reason not to register. But no one is entitled to come here make xenophobic, derogatory, using foul language on other reader and insulting comments. For as long if the argument here stays healthy and within the context of what it is being discussed, then everything is ok.
Please remember we are all here for the same love. And whatever it is we express here, it’s all about love for the shirt. Nothing more, nothing less.
Later today Banega will have another shot at putting a dent in Maradona's noggin. Valencia takes on Getafe, 5pm Buenos Aires time. Ever versus Cata Diaz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RETOB9gQGSU&feature=player_embedded
Brings back memories....grt goals
totally agree John
My vote for the most relaxed goal ever, from everybody's favorite, Martin Palermo. Yesterday against Godoy Cruz. The announcer is anything but relaxed.:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5J_NqOXlJw
My starting line up for world cup 2010
Romero
Zenniti samuel Demi Ansaldi
Masche Banega
Messi Tevez DiMaria
Milito
Higuain sub for Milito
Aguero/Perotti subs for Di Maria
Aimar sub for Tevez
Cambiasso sub for Masche
Garay and Fazio - substitute central defenders
Friends your valuable opinions eagerly awaited
Hi Ninan, welcome to Mundo in-case this is your first visit here. Please do stick around more often.
I do like your line up and I'm sure you must have some good reason for it. But to let TEVEZ play behind Milito? Hhmm, not really my kind of choice. I would prefer employ AIMAR for that position.
I personally would like to see Higuian and Milito play together with Messi in his Barca role, opposite Di Maria.
And just for fun, here is my ideal starting 11 (for this week anyways)....
---------------ROMERO-------------
ZABALETA-DEMICHELIS-SAMUEL-ZANETTI
--------MACHERANO--CAMBIASSO------
--MESSI------------------DI MARIA--
----------MILITO-------------------
------------------HIGUIAN----------
Now that would be a deadly attack. Some of you may question me putting Zanetti in the LB role but Inter fans will know that Zanetti can adapt to the left side as either a defender or even a midfielder.
John, i agree with you that Aimar will bring more creativity in that position. But Tevez is stronger, tougher and more tenacious when it comes to dealing with more physical European teams. Moreover Tevez has reasonable creative skills and is a sharper shooter.
GK, I would prefer Banega in place of cambiasso or mascherano. My philosophy is that if you can create more goal scoring chances, then you need only one target man or finisher to produce the goals. Moreover more creativity in your midfield means less pressure on your defenders. If your midfield lacks creativity then even two target men will not be enough to produce the goals since the scoring chances will be much less. I think Milito is the most clinical striker in argentina at present and Aimar & Tevez are more creative than Higuain. Higuain will be a good sub for Milito. I think Higuain will be at his peak in 2014 world cup. At the moment Milito is my 1st choice striker.
MY LINE-UP FOR WORLD CUP WOULD BE:
Romero (but guys, he is shaky also)
Zanetti-Samuel-Demichelis-Heinze
Mascherano
Aimar - Banega
Messi Milito/Higuain Di Maria
We would be like Barcelona(of course coach is billion levels below)
Valdes (also shaky)
Alves - Puyol - Piquet - Albidal
Yaya Toure/keita
Xavi Iniesta
Messi Zlatan Henry
And now comparing:
Valdes-Romero (both are shaky at times)
Alves-Zanetti- Zanetti is not so speedy, but more experienced
Puyol-Samuel I think samuel is better
Piquet-Demichelis hard chois, little advantage to Piquet maybe
Albidal-Heinze I like albidal a lot and Heinze i dont like, but in defence maybe heinze is better
Mascherano - In defence Mascherano is a lot petter than keita or Yaya
Aimar Iniesta - Iniesta is one of the best, but Aimar is not bad
Xavi Banega - I REALLY think, that tey are equal now
Messi-Messi :)
Milito-Zlatan - Milito is a lot better scorer. Zlatan ofcourse has other quality skills
Di Maria-henry - Di Maria is faster and more skillful, but not so strong. Di maria is also better than Pedro or Bojan
Different formations call for different starting 11's, but am I the only one that would rather see Lucho orchestrate the midfield instead of Aimar?
GK-yes, you might be the only one.:)
lm10arg at the end of the day a strikers job is to score goals and hig is doing just that its not about beating 4 or 5 players and then just missing the goal.
on form the best we currently have are milito and hig.
aguro is a fine player but is not the same player he was pre olympics, some is injury and some loss of form.
at the nt level he has failed to convince me.
on current form the best we have messi,hig/milito,saviola.
tevez has failed to many times for the nt and aguero is not fit but they will both go to the wc.
i would have hig and milito up front.
as a manager their are very few things to always remember (take note diego)
1:pick those in form now not on repuation ie maxi,gago
2:a manager has no friends or favourits ie veron
3:always have a plan b and c
4:friendlies are for experimenting but not to go crazy with whole sale changes.
5:if its not working dont be afraid to change it
Romero-
Zanetti Demichelis Samuel (Leftback)
Mascherano, Cambiasso
Messi Aimar Di Maria
Higuain
The left back spot is the most doubtful spot for almost everyone.For me its between Heinze, Insua , and Ansaldi an it really depends on the game. if we want a more defensive leftback(heinze) or if we want a more attacking option (ansaldi) or something in between (insua). Also i think with maradona as coach veron is going to take aimars spot in my formation so he could also be an option to start there. I just think Aimar can combine really well with Messi and off course Di maria too because they are benfica teamates. Banega could be perfect back up for Cambiasso and the striker spot is also up for grabs with Higuain, Milito, Tevez, Aguero, and (Palermo?) challenging.
My WC Squad
Romero
Andujar
Ustari
Zanetti
Demichelis
Samuel
Heinze
Burdisso
G. Milito
Ansaldi
Mascherano
Cambiasso
Veron
Banega
Aimar
Di maria
Jonas or Maxi (depending on form)
Lucho (versatile)
Messi
Higuain
D. Milito
Tevez
Aguero
@ Pablo d. I am sorry as much as i want what you said to be true, it simply isn't. Valdes will make a few mistakes here and there but he has proved himself as a world class keeper. Puyol is one of the best centerbacks out there and is showing no signs of slowing down and he much more secure than demichelis, who seems to lose his concentration a little too much. Off course Zanetti will have more experience than Alves and he defends better than alves too but Alves gives so much going foward that its a no brainer who wins. Samuel vs. Pique is probably the closest Comparison we have, for me they are pretty even, they are both great in the air and in the tackle, Pique has height over him but Samuel has experience. Abidal vs any left back, Abidal wins, even if we combine Ansaldi, Heinze and Insua, Abidal wins, He is injured now but is having the best season of his life and nobody has been able to take advantage off him on that left side and he is awesome going up. Mascherano v Toure is Also very close both are very aggresive players, toure wins physically, Mascherano wins mentally and also has better passing and long shot. I think this is the only match up Argentina wins. Aimar or Pastore vs Iniesta. Aimar deserves his chance because he had a good game the one time he played and has a good mix off experience and skill. Pastore is no doubt our future number 10(even though Messi will never let go off that number) but because of his young age he has been inconsistent and he he is off, it punishes the team that relies on his playmaking skills. Iniesta is just a Beast. For me he is like a strange combination of Xavi and Messi and no doubt wins. Xavi vs Banega, Veron. Lol. I love Banega and used to like Veron but Xavi is at the peak off his career and no one is better than him in his position. Messi vs Messi, If you really want to go into it Barcelonas Messi wins because the performances he gives for Barca are 10 times better. Milito vs Ibra Milito is arguably one of the best finishers but Ibra is a Complete foward and can contribute a whole lot more to his team. Di maria vs Henry. DI maria wins, Pedro has taken Henrys spot and he seems to be on a decline and is playing his last years if not year at the high European level. Di maria is an up and coming talent and Benfica have been on fire this year and are leaders in Liga Sagres and are favorites for the title
CHeck out This Team for 2014 WC in Brazil
GK: Romero/Ustari
Zabaleta, Forlin/Otamendi,Garay, Insua/Ansaldi
Mascherano Banega
Messi Pastore Di Maria/Zarate
Higuain/ Aguero
to LaChampionsLiga
NO ORTAMENDI - FAZIO ;)
to mohd and pablo d, considering current form and injury problems, may be Aguero can't start. But Tevez is in superb form to say the least and he is the most important player for manchester city. Tevez was out for 2 games and city failed to win both. It's not the same with higuain at real madrid where he has plenty of services to score his goals. Tevez is surely surely better than higuain without any doubt. Higuain simply doesn't deserve to start over Milito or Tevez especially when Tevez is back to his best. But I like this formation given by Mohd:
Di Maria-Milito-Messi...it's awesome too.
Totti, i agree Fazio is a better option
@ GK
Good question. The Reason i would prefer Aimar is because he seemed to play great with Messi and he also has more pace and would play with the fowards better. Lucho is a great passer, he is more of a slower paced player who likes to play simple passes almost like Veron in style. So it really depends on the formation, the style of play, and the players supporting.
According to a report published in La Nacion, Maradona spoke to Gago and told him:
“You haven’t been playing regularly in the last three months. You had an opportunity to look for another club but I don’t know why it didn’t happen”.
“It is very difficult that you’ll be going to the World Cup”.
No Gago, that is great news!
@ GK:
Inter fans would see Zanetti as a striker too. I don't doubt him playing as a goali against Chelsea if Cesar can't make it.
C'mon man, Zanetti is over, he suck as a RB, so I just don't wanna risk playing him as a LB, but I don't even want him near the NT.
Cambiasso might be the best player in Inter, that's true, but playing for Argentina is a different story, coz unless we are playing against the stup!d defensive mentality that Italy plays, then Cambiasso would so fail as a DM for the NT.
@ totti:
How in hell would Samuel be better than Puyol ? .. I think enough been said !!
@ ninna:
How do you wanna play with 4 forward and 4 defense ?! Are you really talking a 4-2-4 formation ?!
@ LaChampionsLiga:
Well said !!
hey ABS
and why not Samuel is not better? Puyol is one of most overrated defender. He make 2-3 hard mistakes in each game. Only thing is, that Barcelona firepower is so great, that the ball will be 90 percent of time in opposite half. When it will be 50-50. like in Inter games, you can see the result!
50-50 like Inter games ?!
Well Ms. Anonymous, tomorrow Inter will play against Chelsea, and we'll see what Samuel would do !!
Am not a fan of Barca, and I actually don't like the way they kill the game by there striking force, but be fair, Puyol is not overrated at all, and the biggest prove to that would be the 7 trophies he managed to get in the last year (6 with Barcelona and 1 with Spain + making it to the world cup without any lose, or shall I say all wins).
Don't try to convince me that Puyol is lucky by playing for Barcelona and Spain, coz if you are trying to say that then you obviously don't know anything about the game. And if you THINK playing to Inter would be a 50/50 ball possession then you have to understand that Italian teams play all defense, while in Spain even the worst teams play all out attack. So the 50/50 ball possession doesn't really mean a thing when the game ends 0-0 like Inter's last game against Sampdoria, with shots on goals of: 1 to 4 and ZERO offside for Samp. While even when Barcelona killed Racing with 4-0, the shots for that game were: 16 to 5, to Barcelona for sure and 7 offsides against Racing !!
P.S Inter vs Sampdoria game was 40/60 possession to Sampdoria with 19 players inside the field !!
hello again lm10arg
how many times do we try tevez as he has never(i am a tevez fan) been good with the nt sadly he fails at with us at international level, the best are hig and milito, what does hig have to do to impress you??20 goals last year and 14 so far this year and some very intelgent link up play.
i believe tevez would be good as a attacking mid or behindthe frnt 2 but we already have better players then him for those roles.
tevez to me is from the bench only at the moment.
to me we have to play milito with hig up front.
romaro
?? demi samuel ??
messi mash banega de maria
milito hig
bench milito,cambassio,pastore,perotti,
zanetti,tevez,gutierrez,aimar
this is my team but the lb and the rb give me grief and im still thinking about them.
Come on pablo d, dont u see Tevez is back to his best? May be he didnt live up to expectation at past with NT but a lot of players didn't including Messi. And higuain has played only 3 games so far. What makes u think he will do better than Tevez??? It's not a time to do too much experiment. As a striker, Milito is better than higuain and as a left sided player, Tevez is better than higuain. So i still can't see how higuain should start. And higuain hasn't impressed much either in his 3 games. He scored a 1 on 1 against peru after missing 3 sitters. I don't know if u r a real madrid fan but country comes first. Tevez is a better player than higuain and is in top form. We can only play 1 centre forward and that should be Milito. Higuain can be a sub for Milito as a centre forward, he shouldn't play anywhere else especially on left coz we have better players than him on that position. At the end of the day, stupid maradona makes the decisions. But as a striker, Milito>higuain, as a lef sided player, Tevez>higuain. FACT.
LM10ARG,
I do not agree that either Tevez or Higuain can play as a left sided-player. the players who can do that superbly are:
1. DiMaria
2. Zarate
Tevez does not seem to be able to beat defenders anymore. granted he is playing much better now and he has improved on his horrible ball control last season. but he just cannot dribble anymore...he is too heavy for that. Tevez still has a loooong way to go to go back to his best before he joined ManUtd...sadly i think he will never do.
As for Higuain, yes he has tendency to miss chances. but so does Milito. Milito actually missed one that still hurts against Brazil. But i think the reason is confidence. He knows he will get 10 minutes (if any) and one mistake and he's screwed.
One of the few mistakes that Pekerman had in the WC 2006 was that he didn't include any PK specialists in his line up. Yes Riquelme, Cruz, Lucho, Maxi, and Aimar are all above average PK takers. But when we faced Germany (who had both superb PK takers and goalie), Riquelme was out and as a result, we were out.
Now guys, think....
Supposed that we face Germany again in the QF (VERY LIKELY SCENARIO) and the match goes to PK shootout. They still have most of their shooters of the WC 2006 available, without Lehmann. Would we win?
IF we won it and face Spain in the Semis: think....
Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Villa, Fabregas, Senna, Negredo (all of them are superb PK takers) vs. Messi, Tevez, Aimar, Maxi, Milito (our best PK takers). Who won???
Messi and Tevez both take PK for their clubs but even if they have been scoring quite a lot, but the way they take PK didn't convince me. Messi imitates the way Maradona take PK (remember that PK is one of the few weaknesses that Maradona had. He failed to convert it against Yugoslavia in 1990). Tevez tends to shoot to his right when taking PK. Sometimes, it's easy to read. Maxi, Aimar, and Milito are quite good in PK, but none of them are guaranteed to make it to the squad.
So come on! Everyone here thinks about taking the best 23 players, but remember the X-FACTOR! Sometimes the X-FACTOR is what we need to win the game.
Not only that, Brazil has the best goalie in terms of stopping the PK in Julio Cesar. They have some of the world best PK shooters in Kaka, Ronaldinho (believe me, he'll go to the WC), Elano, Fabiano, Maicon, Alves, Lucio. They are almost impossible to beat in PK shootout. Spain have the most reliable shooters in PK. Germany is the same. Italy is the same.
So? Let's add some specialists to our team. We need at least 2 specialists. I don't care what their positions are.
Principee
Veron is a good PK shooter, I forgot about him, but I think we need more. Garay and Lucho in our squad would strengthen our X factor.
Principee
Principee, you make a great point about selecting PK takers but I just thought it was funny how you included Italy with the best PK shooeters alongside Germany and Spain. Italy are terrible at PK's. They have Buffon as a great PK stopper but as far as taking PK's, Italy cannot be included with the elite.
talking about penalty-shooters is useless now. i think every top-player is able to convert a penalty. and he also can miss, you never know. and you cannot simulate pk-shootouts in a wc-final. there are players who never miss a penalty in their career but then fail in the wc.
and bring on lucas barrios, he will singlehandly win the wc.
Vitalij from germany
mohd
i would have 2 up front hig and milito and on the left de maria as i would play 4-4-2.
lm10arg tevez is in good form but not better then hig and manshitty have still lost with tevez a few times.
as for messi it would help if we in the nt played him as he plays for barca-wide on the right drifting in, we have the ball winners in mash,camb,banaga,aimar to get the ball get it to him as barca does.
if we play the loan man upfront he is easly marked out of a game and 2 many players in mid makes it to crowed/conjested and two many teams now days "park the bus" but thats not so easy with 2 strikers.
we also need to have speedy wingers (messi and di maria) as the fast counter attacking is what is needed in the modern game.
to all some this is a fantastic thread and some great and interesting ideas
vamos vamos argentina :)
Vamos Diego Milito...Milito>>>higuain.
Di Maria-Milito-Messi.
Why do y'all think that Milito is that good? Sorry, with all my respect to Milito, I think he's not as good as we think he is. He just got what 14 goals in 25 games with Inter. 2 of them are from the spot. He started in almost all of the 25 games. So his efficiency isn't that superb. Higuain scored 14 in just 17-18 games. He missed some games in the beginning because he was not preferred, and he missed about 3-4 others in his injury. About 7-8 of the 18 games, he just played less than 45 minutes. That's 14/18 is 7/9..very high ratio goal/game! And with no PK! If he takes all the PK, his might have been close to 20 goals. So he's very efficient.
Plus, we tried Milito quite a lot before, maybe not as much as we did to Tevez, but Milito didn't deliver. Yes he did play 90 minutes games with us and still rarely scored any.
If we talk about efficient "very underrated" number 9 , it was Figueroa. I'm not sure how many goals he got, but it's close to a goal/game I believe. I think his goal/game ratio is as good as Batigol's was if not better. I'm not saying that we should call him up now, but I'm saying if Milito were that efficient, then let's all shout for his name as Messi's partner.
I got nothing against him, but I just don't think he's that good. Higuain is better for me. And remember 1 other thing. Higuain is not the go-to guy in Madrid (meaning that the one whose responsibility is being the top scorer of the team), the job is on CR7 shoulder, but he still manages to get 14 goals in limited games. Milito on the other hand is the go-to guy of Inter (not Eto'o nor Pandev), but he just scored 14 but you guys talk as if he's scored 24 goals already this season. One guy mentioned here that last year Milito was better than Higuain. How about this year?
You know I just read on news that the most efficient scorer or the real top scorer /90 minutes in big leagues in Europe (Spain, Italy, England, Dutch, Germany, France) is not Rooney, Drogba, Villa, Di Natale, or Milito. It's Luis Suarez of Ajax with 23 goals in around 1800 minutes (20 x 90 minutes) if I'm not mistaken. It's more than 1 goal/game. The second is guess who? Gonzalo Higuain with 14 goals in less than 1260 minutes (14 x 90 minutes). It's also more than a goal/90 minute!
anonymous, that's why some ppl need footballing brain. Milito has less chances to score in super defensive serie a and higuain plays in a free flowing la liga which is goals galore. Milito is very clinical while higuain misses a lot before scoring. And higuain has never lived up to expectation in big games for real madrid while Milito has done that for both genoa and Inter. Milito is BETTER than higuain, at least for now. Future will tell if higuain can be a better finisher than Milito.
LM10Arg
I think you do not watch a lot of Real Madrid games. He has scored vs ATL Madrid, he has scored against Barca, he scored in the last minute of the game for Real Madrid 2 years ago that earned them a La Liga title. Like I stated ask any Madrid supporter they will tell you how important he is. Do not insult people because of their opinions by stating some people need a football brain, the guy has his opinion and you have yours, respect each others opinions and back up your stats with facts. And none of this "Italian Serie A, is all defensive and La Liga is free flowing". Oh really? 05/06 season for Zaragoza Milito had 15 goals and finished 4th in La Liga, 06-07 he scored 23 goals in La Liga and finished 2nd, 07-08 he scores again 15 goals in La Liga. And he did not score many if any in Copa Del Rey or anything.Next season he goes to Genoa and scores 24 goals in the Serie A. If La Liga is free flowing shouldn't Milito had scored 30+ goals, since he can net 24 goals in a "ultra defensive league". Higuain scores goals with a team that is stacked. He pushes the legend Raul on the bench and their 40million dollar man Benzema on the bench. The kid has been a star for a while. A major prospect and has done very well.
Jack!
Di Maria was sensational today for Benfica. Ripped apart the defenders. Aimar had a goal and Saviola almost had one for himself. What a talent Di Maria is, when he is on I do not know many players that are better then him.
Messi was mediocre at best for Barca. Came close with a shot that the defender bobbled and hit the post. He did not do much. Gabi came in for about 20-25 and played pretty well in the back and looked pretty secure. I hope Diego keeps an eye on him, which I am sure he is.
Jack!
Barcelona played scared just like how Argentina play against Brasil
What left back do you guys think Maradona will start in the world cup. We know he loves Heinze but he praised Monzon for his game against Jamaica C (a game in which no player deserves praise after being dominated for 80 minutes before the lucky goals). But theres also Insua and Ansaldi and Papa.Who knows he might end up calling Shaffer or Litch
Anonymous, Diego Milito scored 24 goals for genoa, more than with zaragoza coz genoa is a better team and was 5th in serie a last season while zaragoza was relegated after 2007-08 season. If u r gonna count past seasons then let me tell u, Aguero has had better seasons than higuain if not now. Aguero singlehandedly beat Barcelona a couple of times. This season, milito has scored more crucial goals than higuain. And I watch almost every single real madrid game, at lest the highlights. I follow all major european leagues. Higuain is a 1 season star while Diego Milito has been there for yrs and still going strong unlike crespo or cruz. And just coz higuain kept benzema on bench doesn't make him the best. It's probably coz benzema sux. Higuain's time will come no doubt but Diego Milito is a player who has made a high profile signing like eto second-fiddle to him and even made him a bench-warmer. As i said before, we have to be Argentina fans, not real madrid fans.
Jack, u think Messi was mediocre against stuttgart??? How about higuain's performance agauist lyon where he has so awful that he had to be taken off? It's unfortunate that interest of real madrid is more imprtant to u than the interest of Argentina NT.
I meant he *was not has.
i am the biggest fan of Albiceleste for 28+ yrs , pls accept me to share my ideas for GERMANY FRIENDLY:
ROMERO
DEMIC SAMUEL
BURDI HEINZ
MASCH VERON
MESSI DI MARIA
TEVEZ
MILITO
subs:
1.HIGUAIN FOR TEVEZ OR MILITO
2.PASTORE FOR VERON (not fit for 90')
3.AGÜERO FOR TEVEZ OR MILITO
FOR FINAL SELCTION OF WC 2010:
REPLACE
1. OTAMENDI BY ZABALETA
2. DATOLO BY BANEGA
3. BOLATTI BY AIMAR
4. Clemente RODRIGUEZ OR ZANETTI (DEPENDS ON FORM)
FOR ANOTHER 3 PLAYERS:
1. USTARI
2. CAMBIASSO
3. G MILITO
PLSEASE RESPONSE AND GIVE YOUR REACTION!!!!!!!!
sorry again giving for clear understandning:
ROMERO
--------DEMIC---SAMUEL-----
BURDI---------------------HEINZ
--------MASCH-----VERON------
MESSI-------------------DI MARIA
----------------TEVEZ------------
----------MILITO--------------
LM10Arg-
It was I who posted the stats for Milito as I put my name on it after I got done.
Yes Messi was mediocre for Barca The kid can not have a bad game And I can not criticize him? Get off your little Lionel Messi wagon for a second and take off your blinders for a moment. It was not even a decent game from him by any means.Had 1-2 couple runs and that was it. The entire Barca team played like crap, and Messi was a part of it.
Sure Higuain was poor vs Lyon. All players have poor games. Do you want the kid to score in every game he steps onto the pitch?
You state that Higuain is a 1 season star? You really must not watch Argentino football because this kid was dubbed a star after the Boca/River game a few years back. And FYI I am not a supporter of Real Madrid, my team is Boca. He was so poor he was subbed off, this proves that you really do not watch Real Madrid games. For the season, he has been playing 70 and then been subbed off for Raul or Benzema. And vise versa. Rarely does he played a full 90min this season. A few games at most.
You keep bringing up these "crucial goals" that Milito scores. He has 1 CL goal and I believe the rest are all league goals and Copa Italia.Here are his stats and vs the teams he has scored against.
AC Milan 1 GOAL
1 Vs Parma on Sept 13th
2 vs Cagliari
1 vs Napoli
1 vs Palermo
1vs Liverino
1vs Dynamo Kiev
1vs Bolonga
1vs Fiorentina
1 vs Atalanta
1 vs Siena
1 vs Bari
1 vs Fiorentia in Copa Italia
1 vs Cagliari
Besides AC Milan I do not see many goals vs Juve,Roma or any. And hell from rankings 2-7 he has a total of 3 goals combined vs Roma,AC Milan,Juve,Napoli,Palermo,Sampdoria. So these crucial goals, enlighten me a little bit.
You stated, "Higuain is a 1 season star while Diego Milito has been there for yrs and still going strong unlike crespo or cruz."
Crespo is 35 years old man and has had an amazing career. You are comparing a 30 year old Milito to a 35 year old Crespo, brilliant!Crespo has done more for the national team in a game then Milito has ever done since lacing it up for us. Do not compare our second greatest goal scorer in Crespo to Milito who has never done anything. Our team would be in a much better state if we had a #9 like Crespo in his prime.That right there is a insult to the albiceleste.
From my first post I said we need to stick to the players that are going to start and play for the team. I believe it was you, that pretty much put Higuain down. Is that sticking to the national team? Well is it? I thought not.
Jack!
jack, if milito can't be compared to crespo, we don't have anybody to compare with him right now. higuain??? no way. And yes i saw the game lyon vs madrid game and higuain missed a golden 1 on 1. We usually see diego milito putting those away like a true striker. The fact is that being a centre forward is not even higuain's natural postion. higuain does score some stunning goals but a striker's main job is to score the easy chances first, then doing the spectacles. For spectacle, we have more spectacular players than higuain in Messi and Di Maria. A striker's job is to be a poacher and diego milito is the deadliest Argentine in the box. Forza el principe. I hope u at least try to understand what I m saying.
You dodged my question about Milito scoring crucial goals this season. And you're stating Higuain had a 1-1 chance, he was flying on the side, it was right in the middle. And Cristiano missed a chance, this weekend 1-1 vs Villareal. Players miss 1-1 chances, who has a 100% chance on 1-1 goals? Milito had a chance vs Julio Caesar in the WCQ, he was left alone where the ball bounced to him and he missed. There you go!
Jack!
Milito & Higuain both are well qualified and will be selected in WC Albi squad Inshallah . pls be happy
LM10ARG, Jack
Cool Milito/Higuain debate. I think Milito is better overall player, but i will not die of sadness if Higuain starts either. Anyway our problems are MUCH MUCH bigger than that....
However, one interesting point that I am sure will spark a debate is Messi: For all his talent, this guy has a clear lack of strong character. Ok so he is only 22, but look at Rooney and C.Ronaldo now, or years ago Ronaldo or even Maradona. These players had leadership built into them since ever. Messi tends to disappear at times, and I am not talking about playing badly; everyone does. I am talking about shying away from crucial moments. Its just he does not give you the feeling that he really can be the lion-heart that maradona was (that is before becomming the asshole that he is today :))
maradona just now called me up and said that he has finally decided upon his starting 11 for the WC. He said he will be using a 4-3-3 FORMATION more often. this is his starting 11
--------------Romero---------------
Zanetti----samuel-----Demi--Ansaldi
-------Aimar-----Masche---Banega---
-----Messi-------Milito----DiMaria-
MOHD
Great point about messi(i agree wid what u said he seems to hide when his team suefring).
also hes been very selfish recently, he never releases the ball he always wants to finish a move himself.
MILITO SCORED Against CHELSEA!!!! WHAT NOW MR> ANONYMOUS
-Mr. anonymous 2
I see what you are saying about Messi. I've seen him makesome selfish plays but im not sure if it was because he didnt see his teammate or if he just wanted the glory. I hope the Balon D'or doesnt get to his head, he does still Have a chunk of assists in La Liga though. I Do agree with the strange fact that Messi shies away from the ball when his team is losing and never seems to take responsibility. But that will improve as he grows older and more experienced.
wow 142 comments!! Now we are growing :D
Vamos Argentina
Vamos Mundo Albiceleste :P
last night i was highly impressed with the following Albi players against Chelsea:
1. Zanetti ***** (played as a left back very strongly ... Pls maradona include him we need cool head like him in back)
2. Cambiasso**** (very active in midield, defence and attack... he can be play just like Xabi in Barca...Pls include him)
3. Milito*** (Nice finish surely deserve No.9 1n starting XI)
4. Samuel*** (Nice marking to Drogba the lion only mistake did the foul inside the box.. although i thought it was offside otherwise penalty)
Cheers!!! Albi Fan we have lot of options in the back -- midfield-- attack. Just need Cool headed Manager Maradona!!!!!!!!
@ Albi Fan:
I don't know if you were watching the same game, but the game I watched these players had only one shinning moment in the whole 90mins, and to me that just doesn't make them great !!
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