Football News

oeinel (Nepal)

Posted on 8/9/2012 at 10:09 AM 0 wat the fuck u doing sabela? where is our midfielder like lamela gaitan pastore biglia... as a playmake. they must be in team.... strong formation must be ROMERO rojo fernandes colochini zableta gago pastore masche/ banega higuain/ aguier messi de maria/lamela

River Plate (United States)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 5:11 AM 0 another messi hat trick?

vik (United Kingdom)

Posted on 7/29/2012 at 6:52 PM 0 no brainer! easy 3-0 win! i dont think the germans have recovered from the exit in the euros to the italians. i think i read somewhere joachim lowe is mulling over his future with the national side.

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 7/29/2012 at 3:12 PM 0 that is the problem we think a friendly win in witch arg wins makes us world champions, veron completed more sideways and back passes and we think that makes him the man who would have changed things vs germany. you just need to read what people thought of veron at the time on here and most agree he was past his best and to say diego would sub him off at 50 mins, this did not happen as diego rearly subbed veron off and those who watched the matches before that 1/4 final were very critical of verons preformance. i do agree any mid would have been better when what we on that day but veron was not the answer, infact had not been what we needed since before 2002 when the manure move ruined him, he was never the same player he was in italy where he was the best of the best. at 2010 veron played like a rock and moved like one too. the germans came at us with pace at us unlike the friendly where they used it as a training run, bearly breaking a sweat and became cynical in their fouls on our players trying to get revenge for the free for all after the 06 pens. that friendly for germanyjust a fact finding mission for them to assess our players, style, tactics and thats what they did for when it mattered in a tourinment they simply did their home work and the end result was what happened, we were underprepered and they were prepeared. anyway it does not matter what we say on who should have started and who should have not because diago got it all very wrong and the blame lies 100% at his feet.

savvy (Saudi Arabia)

Posted on 7/29/2012 at 2:38 PM 0 just joined your club! want messi pictures pls

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 7/29/2012 at 2:38 PM 0 @fanfrom78, I agree. It doesn't matter WHO we played in defensive midfielder along Mascherano.. anyone.. old, young or armature would have helped. Veron, Cambiasso, Zanetti, Almeyda.. all old players, but they would have helped. Even myself as a good armature player would have helped. The fact is that we had no midfield on the pitch and Diego should have seen that from the Mexico game. He was just too cocky. Veron would have played great for the first 50 minutes.. then gotten tired.. thats when you sub him out and stick Bolatti or someone like Gago. Fact is, unless you have a team with specific talents you should 95% of the time play a 4 - 4 -2 against strong oponents and the midfield line needs to be balanced and hard working. We only had Mascherano trying to slow things down.. Diegos tactics where reckless.

fanfrom78 (United Kingdom)

Posted on 7/29/2012 at 1:47 PM 2 sorry guys veron would have done zero to stem the german tide that horrible day, infact veron should never been at the w.c, he was way past his best and way to slow. with the team diago had picked to go to the w.c it was never going to be a winner. with great pain i said before the w.c 2010 this is the 1st w.c in my life time i dont expect Argentine to win, since 78 ive always said i expect arg to be winners. someone said to me "hugs and kisses dont win a world cup" and thats what diago based his vision on to win it not any real tactics only hugs, kisses and the odd dream. LIKE WHEN VERON WON MAN OF THE MATCH VS GERMANY IN GERMANY IN THE 1 NIL WIN AND COMPLETED MORE PASSES THAN ANY OTHER PLAYER OK WE SHALL TAKE YOUR VERSION OF EVENTS AS ARE STARTING POINT OG COMMON SENSE THINKING THE GUY WHO SINGLE HANDEDLY CONTROLLED THE MIDFIELD IN GERMANY WOULDNT HAVE HAD AN EFFECT ON THE WC GAME AND WE IN FACT DIDNT NEED THE SECOND DEEP MIDFIELDER THAT WAS PROVEN REQUIRED BY THE PRE WC URAGUAY AND GERMANY GAMES AND THE MEXICO GAME WERE WE STRUGGLED IN THE CENTER LOL OPINIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi2suresh (India)

Posted on 7/29/2012 at 7:39 AM 0 I am guessing Sabella will call some players from velez for Germany match...but my other guess is he will not give them the actual play time....Sabella Plz prove me wrong here......

River Plate (United States)

Posted on 7/29/2012 at 3:26 AM 0 are there any other goalies better than Romero? i just don't trust him as a goalie and he sometimes does dumb things that lead to goals. how about JP Carizzo from River, or Marcelo Barovero from Veles

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 7/29/2012 at 1:52 AM 1 yes he won the 1st 3 vs weaker teams but the game vs mexico was not a game we won by being the better team, mexico lost it through bad refing and bad luck so no we were not convencing in all 4 games before germany. i blame maradona before the w.c kicked off with his selections like veron(to slow and way past it),maxi did what to be their?,palmero w.t.f, gaece(some things should be left as a dream not to be told until after the cup is won), where were the full backs? like zanetti?what was the piont of pastore if not to be really used as he was in fantastic form at the time and the same for aimar who was not ever their but in fantastic form....i could go on as the signs were their before the w.c the disgrace vs bol or the 93 min goal vs the worst team to get us their but its a no brainer, sadly we were never going to win it with the selection(s)diago took and for that ill always blame him alone for that debarcle vs germany to finish us off that showed the real diago as he did it his way and as always without any real thought just "hope" and a lot of praying.

el principe (United States)

Posted on 7/29/2012 at 1:28 AM 0 What happened with Argentina in 2010 against Germany was not that they were better than us on paper. It was just they outsmart us. I remember Maradona was getting outrageous on his last interview before the kick off when he said, "what's wrong Germany? Are you scaaareeeed?" That was the point where Germany had successfully mocked us. The prove was when they scored an early goal, we were acting like who-the-heck-do-you-think-you-are-to-mess-with-me?? We then totally attacked them as if we were Barca against a small team like Vallecano who conceded an early goal. That's the point where we got Germany at their best, the counter attack. Germany did want Argentina to attack them and they got what they wanted. As for Maradona's formation, I agree that it wasn't a smart formation, but think about this. Argentina had won 4 concecutive games convincingly before the Germany match. Had Maradona changed the tactic/players before the game and we still ended up losing, wouldn't have we blamed him even more? Like why do u change your winning team??? Don't u know that your starting 11 had won 4 times with almost 3 goals margin/game?? See the problem was the mental factor... That's where Germany won it in what was supposed to be an even match between 2 super teams.

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 7/28/2012 at 11:38 PM 1 sorry guys veron would have done zero to stem the german tide that horrible day, infact veron should never been at the w.c, he was way past his best and way to slow. with the team diago had picked to go to the w.c it was never going to be a winner. with great pain i said before the w.c 2010 this is the 1st w.c in my life time i dont expect Argentine to win, since 78 ive always said i expect arg to be winners. someone said to me "hugs and kisses dont win a world cup" and thats what diago based his vision on to win it not any real tactics only hugs, kisses and the odd dream.

fanfrom78 (United Kingdom)

Posted on 7/28/2012 at 5:41 PM 0 close up of veron after the first goal HE WAS CRYING KNOWING FULL WELL WE HAD NO MIDFIELD HE WAS WATCHING WHAT HE NEW WOULD HAPPEN UNFOLD IN FRONT OF HIM AS HE SAT THERE BENCHED

fanfrom78 (United Kingdom)

Posted on 7/28/2012 at 5:38 PM 0 i wouldn't call caving demis face in a friendly... friendly there was nothing friendly about that game germany were beyond desperate to win FACT,,, you dont elbow someone to the point of smashing there facial bone structor in if its a meaningless friendly !!!!!!! it was diegos ego that cost us veron would have controlled that midfield blind folded and that pathetic goal germany scored easrly simply wouldnt have been if samual was in that back line at the set peace

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 7/28/2012 at 3:20 PM 0 another problem is we thought we had won the game before kick off because of the friendly win. we need to take friendlies as they are, time to try new players and sadly sabella seem as bad as the last few coaches in not doing that. this is what teams like germany do, they use friendlies as a training groud and also a chance to see their opposition, the oppositions tactics as well as their own and opposition players in full (remember the notes the german g.k had on all our pen takets in 06) as i said we go into these 100% = we have no surprises left when it comes to a tournimant time.

fanfrom78 (United Kingdom)

Posted on 7/28/2012 at 2:43 PM 0 the whole point everyone already knows is allllllllllll the signs were there vs mexico FILL THE MIDFIELD after beating mexico i thought great samual and veron are rested now bring them back in presto Germany beaten VERON OWNED GERMANY in the pre wc friendly yes the exact same team that won in germany could have been used but we had time in camp to sort things out and up are attacks so i wouldnt have gone with jonas in midfield and otemendi at the back so it could have been 2 strikers plus messi with veron and samual back in the team (i almost died when i seen the team line up before kick off) bardisso-demi-samual-henzie ---------masch-veron------- ------------messi----------- -----------------------dimaria -------tev--------hig--------------- or drop tevez and play maxi also ,i thought they looked great vs uraguay and germany to drop that and go all out mental was diegos mistake EGO MUCH

fanfrom78 (United Kingdom)

Posted on 7/28/2012 at 2:36 PM 0 lets hope this gago move turns out ok bless him,, drop the lady gago act, grow some hair around your sack and man up gago... masch-fern-gary-zab ----ban---gago------- sosa---------------dimaria- --------messi------------- ------------hig------------

sandy (India)

Posted on 7/28/2012 at 1:33 PM 1 In the squad against Germany, only two were of real worth, Messi and Higuain. All the others were just spoiling everything. In the backline Otamendi was good (especially against Greece and Mexico) but inexperienced and playing out of position (against Germany). Samuel was only a shadow of the past. Demichelis is never trustworthy. Heinze was also aging. Burdssos performance was never convincing. In the midfield, all were proven failures even before the match. Mascherano was only defending and was never of any help to the attack. Veron was out dated, and Maxi was also aging. di Maria gave us a lot of expectations but was a failure. So the team looked average in the paper but was terrible in reality. Only Messi and Higuain were two players who deserved a place in the team. Still this team could have beaten Germany or atleast drawn till the match if Maradona did one simple thing, ie. put Tevez out of the squad. But that would never happen since he was the pet of Maradona. You people all criticize the backline for this defeat. But just have one thing in your mind. We conceded the first goal in the fourth minute and till fifty sixth minute we didn't concede another. What was Argentina doing till then. We were trying to build up some movs all of which ended in the legs of Tevez. One player cannot win a game alone but one player can spoil a game. That was what happened in that game. Just watch the replay of that match and count the number of times this man had dispossessed the ball. If he had received ten passes, he would have dispossed the ball twenty times. This is how we lost the match. If Aguero was in the starting line-up, the result would have been different. Anyway i know that there is no point in doing a repost-mortem. Better we think about the future. We can hope that history will not repeat itself and that Sabella will not lead us through the same path that his master travelled!

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 7/28/2012 at 11:47 AM 1 All Diego had to do for the Germany game of the World cup was to check his ego, his enormous self-esteem was a positive as a player, but as a coach it was poor madness. When he first took charge of the team we played Germany, and we beat them convincingly at a friendly. What was the difference then? Common sense, a 4 - 4 - 2 with midfielders that could contain. Tactics... tactics.. This was our line up: - - - - - - - Sergio Romero - - - - - - - - - - Otamendi - - Samuel - - Demichelis - - Heinze Gutiérrez- - - - Mascherano - - Verón - - - -Di María - - - - - - - Messi - - - Gonzalo Higuaín - - - - - - This to me was Diegos best team. Other than Otamendi as an experiment at the time that back line was old, but effective. Mascherano and Veron capable of getting rough and both good distributors, especially Veron was our Pirlo. Then Guiterrez with great defence and DiMaria with a balance of def/attack. Our forward line has the best two spanish strikers (Ronaldo is a winger). This is how we lost to the Germans: - - - - - - - - -ROMERO - - - - - - - - OTAMENDI - DEMICHELIS - BURDISSO - HEINZE - - - - - - - MASCHERANO - - - - - - - - - RODRIGUEZ - - - - - - - - DI MARIA - - - - - - MESSI - - - TEVEZ - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -HIGUAIN- - - - - - - - - > So in the first math we had (2.7) attacking players (Higuain=1, Messi=1, Dimaria=.5, Jonas=.2) > In the second we had (4) attacking players (Higuain=1, Messi=1, Tevez=1, Dimaria=.5, Maxi=.5) Compounded by the fact that Argentina was not playing well before it, Demicheles, Otamendi and Maxi where NOT performing and the Germans where firing on all cylinders with the best counter attacking team.. SUICIDE to put such an attacking formation. Mascherano was left alone in the midfield and both Heinze and Otamendi (good centrals) where constantly beat in the wings do to their lack of speed. This next game should be a lot more conservative, so there is hope.. I just dont have much faith we will contain much possession.

fanfrom78 (United Kingdom)

Posted on 7/28/2012 at 3:41 AM 0 someone in with macharano and a back 4 that made sense theres no way argentina would have been beaten by germany 2010 maradona went on about a 4 x cb defense yet gave us a unbalanced and changing back line otemendi was shir scared bless him vs germany and imploded when he got yellow card 4xcb would have been bard-demi-sam-henz not on;y does it give u 4 world classs center backs it gives you 2 perfect not so attacking fall backs in bardisso and henzie all diego had to do was what he did in germany but with a slight re balance WE CAN DREAM

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 9:13 PM 0 And he's a Estudiantes!

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 8:57 PM 0 Benfica defeated Real Madrid 5 - 2. Enzo Perez was awesome. Great performance and a beautiful brace. The first goal was magnificent. Another option for our midfield, somebody should notice.

fanfrom78 (United Kingdom)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 5:34 PM 0 -BARDISSO-FERN-GARY-ZAB- -----GAGO--MASCH------- DIMARIA-------------JONAS- -----------MESSI---------- ------------KUN/HIG---------- GERMANY BEATEN 2012

River Plate (United States)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 5:32 PM 0 @ fanfrom78 your right Argentina could have easily beaten Germany with the right squad. Argentina could have been 5 time world champion if we had some luck and if there wasn't corruption in football like in Italy 90

fanfrom78 (United Kingdom)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 5:21 PM 0 -bardisso-demi-sam-henz--- --------veron-masch------- ------------messi---------dimaria ---------hig-------tevez--------- germany beaten in wc 2010 WE ALL KNOW IT

River Plate (United States)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 4:07 PM 0 @leandro i see what ur saying and your right pastore shouldnt be back there and di maria doesnt defend anything. ive seen lots of Roma games and lamela is actualy good at defending. how about this line up Zabaleta--silvestre--Campagnero--Zanetti-- ---------Masherano----Cambiaso---------- ------------Di Maria/lamela-----Messi--------- ---------Higuain--------Aguero--------------- I know Zanetti and Cambiaso are to old for the 2014 world cup, but they should be on the team to help turn the younger defenders into world class defenders.

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 11:23 AM 0 @ddr123, I agree. Sabella is the better coach we have had in quite a while. He might be picking horrible players at times, but his tactics are solid. Hopefully between now and 2014 Lamela (or others) will shine and rob the spot from Sosa, hopefully some better fullbacks will shine too. We have time. We are half way there, and with this half way team he is indeed winning most of his matches so far. If we still play like this at the end of the qualifiers, then we should raise our pitch forks. I have hope.. but it is frustrating to not see the likes of Campagnero, Lamela, etc get some caps early on.

ddr1123 (United States)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 8:28 AM 0 @ill capitano that was one hilarious line up :) Pastore as #5, no defense at all...more like Maradona's I agree with Chainsaw. I don't know how much you guys know about cricket. But I can give an analogy. Maradona went with 8 batsmen and 3 bowlers in a 50 over game. So you can see, 3 bowlers can only bowl 30 overs (rule is 10 overs max from each browler). So he knew it all the time. His plan was we win the toss score 500 runs with 8 batsmen and then you do not need bowlers. Well he did not win the toss. Germany scored the first goal and after that it was only chasing shadows. I am OK with Sabella so far. Not happy, just OK. Here are few reasons. 1. He is trying to play different formation based on the opponent. This is needed to win. You plan to beat your opponent but respect their strengths too. 2. Other than Sosa, he has been fine in selection. Pastore, Lamela none of them are ready. Pastore has to break out this season, else he will get buried. 3. Counter attack is what he has planned for. Messi is getting space and he, aguero, dimaria and higuain all have great pace. It will work if the mid and defense hold together. 4. For counter we need double 5s. One tackles and breaks the play, the other picks up that ball and distributes (a small 5 yard pass) and let loose 4 mentioned above. Remember at this point of the game at least 3 out of the above 4 are near the mid circle and then it is a 4 vs 3/4 defenders game and whole opponent halt to exploit.

Chainsaw (Iran)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 6:56 AM 2 Argentina lost to Germany in the World Cup 2010 because: 1) Maradona choosed the worst possible backline for the defence; 2) ridiculous midfield (or no midfield) he set up for that match. Otamendi-Demichelis-Burdisso-Heinze is probably the worst possible defence line I ever saw in the NT! Maradona definitely didn't take that match too seriously or he was not going to go to that match with that horrendous set of defenders and midfielders he choosed for the game. Benching Walter Samuel for Burdisso was worst of them all. Borderline stupid decision by Diego. And Let's not even talk about the exclusion of Cambiasso and specially Zanetti from the squad.

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 6:48 AM 0 Just want to add that I would not play the formation I just suggested, that is my bare minimum defense. Realistically and especially against the Germans this next friendly I would swap out either DiMaria or Lamela for a stronger player like Jonas or Biglia. If we are loosing we can put both our wingers, if we are not we can sub one out for the other at half time for fresh legs.

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 6:44 AM 0 @ill capitano, I agree completely with you that we lost to Germany because we lacked a midfield. But your suggested line up is the same, or worse. Germany killed us on the counter attack as we made it far to easy for them to reach our box. That was because Diego left only Mascherano to hold the middle (and defenders out of natural position didnt help either). Your line up further exposes us by putting the least defensive midfielder Pastore in the holding spot, and then surround him with only luxury offensive players. Against a weak team sure, but any team that defends well (like the Germans, Uruguay, etc) will eventually win back possession at least once in a game and when they do, they will run straight up to our 20 yard box and punish us. Swap out Pastore for a real defensive midfielder, then DEMAND that both DiMaria and Lamela play a defensively sacrificial role (they both can, but its not their natural inclination, coach must be strong in his expectations, like Mou is with DiMaria @ Real).. that would be about enough to defend well so long as our wing backs dont get caught out of position (looking at you Zabaleta!). > 4 solid no-nonsense defenders - Campagnero - Mascherano - Fernandez - Clemente. > 1 fixed defensive midfielder with speed, stamina, control and intelligence - Gago > 2 high pressure midfielders that have talent to transition up and track back every play (Xavi and Iniesta role) and also play wide on the wings when needed - Lamela - DiMaria > 1 enganche #10 to play central in front of Gago and link the attack together - Messi > 2 forwards, one as a classic #9, the other as a supporting striker - Aguero - Higuain This team has a very attacking temperament and its able to hold possession. Its also the minimum defensively you could get away with in an international cup. Any less defense and you would get burned by the likes of Japan, Egypt, Mexico, etc, etc.

hi2suresh (India)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 5:21 AM 0 @sowmya..your statement "Alejandro Sabella was present at the practice of Velez." made me think that may be you are living there...lol :-)

Jack! (United States)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 2:55 AM 0 It's not Gaston Peruzzi, it's Gino. Unless Gino has a brother named Gaston.

soumya (India)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 2:53 AM 0 @hi2suresh...nope ...why?..:O:D

hi2suresh (India)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 1:00 AM 0 @Sowmya, are you living in argentina?

soumya (India)

Posted on 7/27/2012 at 12:10 AM 0 Alejandro Sabella was present at the practice of Velez. He spoke with Seba Dominguez and Augusto Fernandez and follows closely to the right side Gaston Peruzzi.

River Plate (United States)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 11:41 PM 0 @ leandro we lost to the germans because we didnt have any midfield the entire game

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 10:39 PM 0 @ill capitano, No offense buddy.. but that line up is suicidal.. you thought 4 - 0 vs the Germans was bad? At a minimum, take out Pastore and put a real defensive midfielder like Gago in the mix. Then the team could have a shot if Lamela and DiMaria are told they must chase every ball or get subbed.

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 8:19 PM 0 Hey everyone, for me there are 3 players who should be indispensable for the albiceleste: Messi (offcourse!), kun (again obvious!) and gago (surprised looks from some of you im sure). Messi plays best when kun is around, that's a proven fact and it makes sense, not only have they been playing together since 2005 but they are both players cut from the same cloth, both diminutive yet immensely strong, unnaturally talented and unselfish. Gago is the type of player that every time should/must have, he's talented, defensively capable, elegant with his passing and most importantly consistent!. He may not be world class, but he's they type of player that I would consider good enough for any world class team. Other important players include pipita (works well with messi and kun not to mention a good all round striker), di maria (one of the best wingers around and thanks to his time in RM, he's developing into a world class midfielder d has some of the best assist stats in europe. Still needs to improve his defensive work and reduce his diving). Mascherano has sadly lost his DM luster, not surprising considering the fact that he's plying his trade as a CB nowadays. He's still good and still important to the albiceleste but not as a DM. Many of you want to see him as a CB for argentina and I don't blame you, but I honestly think he'd struggle there as arg is not barca, barca is a supremely well oiled machine where their structure and talent would ensure that their defence is rarely under consistent offensive pressure and the same cannot be said about Argentina. That being said I would like to see Masch as a sweeper in a 3-5-2 system where he would support the back 4 (or 2 depending on the organization of the structure). As for the lingering problem at the back well for the first time since maradona's selection for the 2010 world I am optimistic, after all I see world class potential in fernandez (although he needs alot more playing time at napoli) and garay is regaining his footing after being almost sucked into the rabbit hole that is real Madrid. The news about Munoz are encouraging and would like to see M. Musacchio given a chance, since he showed so much promise during the bygone days of villareal. Campagnero and Coloccini (seems to have aged like fine wine and I never thought I'd say that about him) offer great options for a experience and leadership at the back, since both are playing at world class level at this stage and I see no reason not to include either of them if they remain fit and productive when 2014 rolls around. Then there are the fullbacks, well it is said that a good fullback in argentina is as rare as a vegetarian or an ugly woman. A hyperbole (almost) but aside from its humorous nature, the statement does emphasize the country's short supply of such players. Even so I still see hope in the likes of ansaldi, M.Rodriguez, pillud and Monzon (great goal threat but needs to work on his defensive game), provided these guys get the chance to shine. Lastly there is the enganche (or the lack thereof) problem. Players like pastore, gaitan and lamela can do wonders (particularly the latter of the 3) for the team if given the chance to develop and mature with the team. Ultimately it is sabella's willingness to try out these players that will determine the fate of the albiceleste for the years to come. I appreciate that he's given younger players like garay and fernandez a chance at the back and I understand the reluctance to try out new players during the stressful qualifiers, but perhaps M.rodriguez could've been given a chance at the right back position during the brazil friendly or the likes of gaitan and lamela have some first team time during the swis friendly awhile back. Time will tell (and with less than 2 years to go, we sadly don't have ample amounts of it).

River Plate (United States)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 6:21 PM 0 oops i misspelled strength

River Plate (United States)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 6:19 PM 0 aloushi Argentinas strenth is in its attack, and counter attack. argentina has always won when it attacks. we loose when we try to defend. i have more faith in Pastore and Lamela than in sosa and gago

aloushi (Lebanon)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 6:07 PM 0 ill capitano, the defence is good but common, we would lose to any strong team if we play this line, only 4 defensive players

River Plate (United States)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 5:35 PM 0 this is the team i would like to see against germany --------------Romero-------------- ----Zabaleta--Masherano--Campagnero--Zanetti---- --------------Pastore---------------- ----Di Maria-------------------Lamela------ ----------------Messi------------------ --------Higuain-------Aguero----------

Nicky B (Jamaica)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 1:50 PM 0 I've watch the Liverpool Vs Roma match yesterday and Erik Lamela is maturing into a very decent playmaker. He has composure, skills, age, techniques and vision. Yes he is young and not fully matured but come on for the love of God this kid is pure CLASS. With Lamel getting some friendlies on his back he'll be extremely good within 2 years time. We need to harvest our young talent who shows great potential and is growing. In this case Lamela has been improving consistently for Roma. Come on Sabella get your selection straight......

Leonard Outram (Bangladesh)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 12:35 PM 0 Ezequiel Munoz(21) has rated as one of five most promising defender by whoscored.com,a site which gives analysis based on facts,stats,performance. Copy,pasted analysis: Palermo's signing of Argentine compatriot Matias Silvestre last season saw youngster Ezequiel Munoz play a bit part in the first half of the campaign after an impressive debut season at the club. The 21-year old did, however, manage to force his way back into the side after the winter break and hasn't looked back since with some assured performances in both the heart of the defence and on the right. The quick departure of the aforementioned Silvestre to Inter this summer should see Munoz feature at centre-back more often again next season and he is likely to have a key role. A physically uncompromising defender, Munoz's tender age is somewhat unbelievable when looking at him and he also shows maturity beyond his 21 years in his play. Averages of both 2.6 for both tackles and interceptions per game are better than those of the outgoing Silvestre, while he is also very willing to throw his body on the line, blocking 9 shots last season despite only starting 8 games at centre-back. An excellent near 74% success rate from aerial duels, of which he wins 1.8 per game on average, goes to prove that he has everything it takes to become a top player. Without any real weaknesses to his game in a defensive sense, Munoz should star for the Rosanero next season and may well be set for bigger and better things beyond that.

Johnny (Thailand)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 12:28 PM 0 Yes, for me Gutierrez in place of Sosa is a no brainer.

soumya (India)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 10:52 AM 0 Gutierrez can be used replacing sosa...in 4-4-2 formation....

Johnny (Thailand)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 9:40 AM 0 @ArgiesFanIndia-I love Gutierrez but he can't play right back. He was close to awful there when Maradona failed to call up a proper right back. Jonas has sufficient speed, but he's not quick enough to defend as a fullback.

sandy (India)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 8:41 AM 0 @ArgiesFanIndia Sabella is ruining the national team, the future of some of the best of this generation, and also the hopes of millions. We cannot do anything about this.

ArgiesFanIndia (India)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 8:16 AM 0 Soumay and Sandy - See in the starting lineup Messi is beyond any doubt. Always a starter.. That's true that Playing Messi-Kun-Higuan-Di maria will put pressure in defense. But you cannot keep your best players on bench every time. Probably you have seen I have mentioned that only Higuan to play in upfront. Messi-Kun-Di Maria will play in deep to help Midfielders and also they need to create move from Midfield. Also off course they need to do defending as well. Look at Spain and barca..Each and every player is responsible for defending, so they are world’s best. That’s true that Di Maria is never a Midfielder. But he is very Vital in the team..He has got tremendous pace..a good team player, his Passing are very good. Look at his number of assists for Madrid. Also he can defend quite well. So Di Maria is an Automatic choice. Higuan is only the genuine striker in Argentina and he knows goal very well, always there in scoring positions, he is tall and good in air also. Again Kun can create goals scoring opportunities as well he can score goals. His understanding with Messi is just too good. He is not selfish. So how can you ignore these two? But if anyone of them needs to play I will choose Kun. Guys, Coloccini was very impressive this season for New Castle. You know he was even in the PFA Team of the Year due to his influence in Newcastle's impressive season. He may not be very best but you can't ignore him as don’t have much choice. We need a leader in defense and so is Coloccini. Cirigliano and Monzon..I am not aware of much about them but all I know they are very young and inexperienced. Argentina must improve their passing game, I have rarely seen they are able to complete 10 passes at a time and we must need to hold the Ball. In the Midfield Gago can win the ball and he can read the game very well, so he is an automatic choice as Defensive Midfielder. Once Banega is back (read if Sabella select Banega) then he can partner with Gago in the midfield. Mascherano will move in back. In that case Pastore or Gaitan can play as a Playmaker. But we have to drop Either Higuan or Di maria. Actually Sabella is not choosing Argentina’s best Midfielders and that the choice. The kind of chance he is giving to Sosa, why can’t he give the same to Pastore or Lamela or Gaitan? They would have settled for sure in the midfield. Anyways these are my views only...as everything will depend on how Sabella think....

soumya (India)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 7:19 AM 0 @ArgiesFanIndia...good observation...but if kun higuain messi di maria play in the upfront defence will face problem...bcoz they cant defend well...otherwise grt obsevation...

sandy (India)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 6:51 AM 0 @ArgiesFanIndia First of all i share the same feeling. I agree with many of your opinions like argentina should play 4-3-3, but the thing is that di Maria never seems to be a midfielder to me. He is more like a left out or just a winger. I dont like to see him all over the field because that is not his game and it will be asking for too much. Just let him play his game. I think Mascherano is best when he is in the defense. Mascherano and Fernandez will be good for the time being. Coloccini has never impressed me. Coloccini, Burdisso, Demichelis,etc. belong to the same species. Playing with three forwards(Messi, kun, Higuain) along with Maria will be a luxury. It will not only create pressure in our defense but also create problems of linking up between defense and attack. We need a balanced team. Messi, kun and Maria (eventhough inconsistant) with Higuain as substitute will be more than enough. Then the formation will be like this. Campagnaro - Mascherano - Fernandez - Monzon/Pillud Canterose--------Gago--------Cirigliano/Banega Messi--------Aguero--------di Maia Subs: Higuain, Iturbe, Lamela, Pastore, Tino Costa, Biglia, Burdisso. (Coach: anybody except Maradona and Sabella!)

HIRA (Bangladesh)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 6:11 AM 1 argentine media should do something about sabella's crapy selections.....

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 6:05 AM 0 Mr. Sabella is pretty much focusing on wide midfielders rather than young and strong fullbacks, in this case we might see Zabaleta and Clemente again. I really wish to see better quality in these spots it'd be more efficient than getting rid of Sosa. I truly realized in Sebella's plan there is always Sosa and his backup is Salvio, which is way better and faster than Sosa.

ArgiesFanIndia (India)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 5:56 AM 0 I have some questions about our Midfield, Defense and formation. Guys please share your opinion and views. My view could be different from others yet comments are welcome. Defense: 1. Why BURDISSO? Agreed that he may be better than Garay or Fernandez but we need to build a team for WC 2014, he is already 32. He is slow and not even very strong in the air. 2. When mascherano is playing 9 months in a year as CB (& he is doing preety well as CB) why can't he play in the same position for Argentina? He is just a waste in the midfield. 3. Why Fabricio Coloccini is not in the team yet? He has done excelent job with New Castle in 2011-12 season and deserve a place for argentina. Please call this in-form guy. I really want to see Coloccini to form a defensive partner with Mascherano or with Federico Fernandez (or Garay). 4. Zabaleta is not at all impressive with Argentina. I will love to see Matias Rodriguez or Jonas Gutierrez as a Right back in place of Zabaleta. Jonas Gutierrez played in WC 2010 as Right back and he has done quite well. He is fast, tall and only 29. Also his work-rate in the field makes him a Automatic choice for me. 5. Next change has to be Cristian Ansaldi in place of Clemente Rodriguez. Ansaldi is young and he is very fast, with power in his shots. We really need a player like him. So I really want 4 men defense as - RB: Jonas Gutierrez, CB: Fabricio Coloccini, CB: Federico Fernandez/Mascherano, LB: Cristian Ansaldi Midfield: 1. We don't have much quality options in defense but we have some world class midfielders e.g. Pastore, Banega (injured), Lamela, Gaitan etc, but unfortunately Sabella doesn't know whom to select. 2. Gago seems to be a Automatic choice now and I really wish Banega to make a recovery very soon. He is a class player and can read the game very well. He is also a very good passer. Hope Sabella won't ignore Banega once he is back. I am really happy to see that Gago moved to Valancia. I wish Gago to form a solid Midfield pair with Banega. So Banega and Gago to play in the Midfield. For for now it's Mascherano and Gago as Banega is injured. Mascherano to move in Defense once banega is back. 3. As a Playmaker I really want to see Pastore or Di Maria in the Mifield, ahead of Gago and Mascherano. No Sosa or Maxi or Guiaazu or Brana please. Toto Salvio is a good player but we have better options. 4. As our defense is really not very good so I really want Messi-Di maria and Kun to play deep in the midfield to help Midfielders and defenders. As they all are very fast so they can move easily in opponents goal. So in the Midfield: Gago, Mascherano and Pastore or Di Maria. Once Banega is back Gago-Banega-Di Maria/Pastore Formation: 1. Why 4-4-2 once again? that means we are going to sit one of the best player in world and as usual it has to be Kun, why? Remember Messi plays much better when Kun is arround. 2. What we have achieved with this 4-4-2 formation against Brazil? We are just outplayed by an average 21 years old Brazil team with this formation? Remember We won when Kun came and formation changed to 4-3-3. Also we had a great game against Ecuador. At least start with 4-3-3 then we can change the formation as the game progresses. 3. When Sabella can understand that attacking is our best options when we have the best players in the world in upfront? Believe me if we cannot win with 4-3-3 formation then we even won't be able to win with 4-4-2 formation as we don't have much quality players in the middle. 4. I really want to see formation as 4-2-3-1 with Higun upfront and behind him Messi-Kun-Di Maria. So this will give some extra men in the midfied as all of can move forward very fast. --------------------Romero------------------------- Gutierrez - Coloccini - Fernandez/Garay - Ansaldi ------- Gago ---------------Mascherano------------- --Kun -------------- Messi ------------Di maria--- ---------------------Higuan------------------------ Believe me we can just rock the world. Vamos Vamos Argentina.

ArgiesFanIndia (India)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 4:41 AM 0 To all Argentinma fans - any idea guys when banega will be availeble for selection?

ArgiesFanIndia (India)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 3:44 AM 0 God please give me enough strength so that I can stop Loving Argentina as I know Argentina will always hurt me just like they are doing since 1990...

Fred (Hong Kong)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 3:14 AM 0 Burdisso please has another serious injury!

sandy (India)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 2:32 AM 1 Burdisso will play means Mascherano will be in the midfield. I dont know what contribution can he make to the attack. Plus Sosa is good for nothing. Quite naturally the burden of the attack falls on Messi, backed by Gago! There are nobody who can create some movs in the midfield. di Maria may run through the wing but how productive it will be is another question! Sabella is eager to bring in a player like Burdisso. Why doesnt he show that eagerness in choosing players like pastore, lamela, and Canterose? The world is waithing to see them playing while he was waiting for Burdisso. Its true that Burdisso has improved a lot. He has got experience (and he is a good penalty taker also). But now we have to envisage a team for 2014. So better keep Mascherano playing in that position or pick some younger players. Burdisso can strengthen the reserve bench. The most horrible thing will be the way we play with these players. It will be horrible to watch Argentina playing with these players. If Argentina wins with Burdisso and Sosa, then Sabella will not make any changes in the near future. If i am there in the stadium i will shout at Sosa each time he gets the ball. But i cant be there! So i request all the argentine fans in the stadium to do this.

soumya (India)

Posted on 7/26/2012 at 2:01 AM 0 in 2006 José Pekerman...tried a new strategy...he used different types of players in a same team...1 genuine striker(crespo),1 left forward(tevez),1 right winger midfielder(maxi rodriguez),1 attacking midfielder(riquelme),1 CM(lucho gonzalez),1 CDM(maschrano),1 central defence as a full back (colocini),genuine CD(ayala),CD also can play in fullback(Gabriel Heinze),genuine fullback(sorin)..........do u think itz a effective strategy???...11 different types of players in a team.....i have never seen any manager to use this strategy in NT...

soumya (India)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 11:42 PM 0 BURDISSO again..:O....OMG

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 11:20 PM 0 @Haman, if we swapped Burdisso for Campagnero, swapped at least one of the full backs for someone fast, young, with good feet, good crosses that can also defend (I like Pillud), and then swapped Sosa for someone a little more creative yet still strong (A younger Lucho or Maxi type player) we would have a decent team on paper.

hi2suresh (India)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 11:12 PM 0 So we will have to bear the great Sosa..I don't know if there are any lessons learnt by Sabella from the match against Brazil....God help arg & us(fans). Off topic: Interesting stats on Banega http://www.whoscored.com/Blog/bloywz5mke-ex2a0qqplaw/Show/Player-Focus-Could-Spurs-Replace-Modric

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 7:22 PM 0 I hoe that there will be new fullbacks for this match, some young and versatile players like Matias Rodriguez and Monzon or ……! And I hope………………………Oh, Sosa is always there! Can't get rid of this dude!

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 7:18 PM 0 And he said, playing with wide midfielders like DiMaria and Sosa on the flanks backing Messi and Aguero, so Its most likely: -------------------------------Romero -----Zabaleta----------Frenandez-------Burdisso-----------Celmente -----------------------Mascherano------Gago ------------Sosa----------------------------------DiMaria ---------------------------Messi -------------------------------------Higuain

Notoraj (Finland)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 6:55 PM 1 And that's the game I'm gonna watch from the the Commerzbank-Arena Frankfurt. Germany here I come...I'm So excited about it. First time in my life I will be watching albiceleste LIVE!! I will try to take lots of picture and post here :)

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 6:46 PM 0 Sabella, stop being such a chicken and play Messi - Aguero - Higuain from the start.. that trident has always produced. Without attacking wing backs we wont be exposed. 4 - 3 - 3 is actually a 7 - 3 since we know dabella will play 3 defensive midfielders (Masch, Gago, Guinazu, Sosa, Biglia, etc, etc).. Our only hope is that on a 4 - 4 - 2 with Sosa and Dimaria in mid that Sosa wont be horrible and Dimaria will land right side up on his 50/50 chance of Ace or Flop... oii.... i am nervous.

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 6:43 PM 0 Burdisso is still better than Garay.. Id rather us try Campagnero, etc.. but Burdisso plays with a lot of tenacity and heart.. a bit short though if we hope to see Mascherano in the back. Even if we dont start him, Burdisso is a good experienced defender to have in our bench.

Fred (Hong Kong)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 4:32 PM 2 Mr. Sabella, please just have Burdisso in your mind. Don't have him in your squad.

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 3:42 PM 2 it will be interesting game but im not likeing the burdisso comments, he has has his time and its time to move on from the likes of burdisso. i do wish sabella would try the likes of pastore, lamera etc etc as its a friendly and thats how germany treat these games but we dont we keep the same players and fail to give some of the talented youth we have their chance.

Jack! (United States)

Posted on 7/25/2012 at 3:17 PM 0 Personally, this game is going to show a lot of rust. Players coming back from their summer vacations.