Football News

sandy (India)

Posted on 8/9/2012 at 3:01 AM 0 @ArgiesFanIndia I too agree with you. But even if we lose the game, Sabella will not change his team until the AFA does something. That i don't expect. The contract is till the next WC. If Sabella continues till then. We have got nothing to expect. What we have seen so far is that Argentina may win friendlies like this and lose in major tournaments in the most shameful way. I too want to see Argentina lost in this match because our biggest enemy is not Germany, but Sabella!

ArgiesFanIndia (India)

Posted on 8/8/2012 at 5:48 AM 0 I can’t understand what Sabella really wants!! Somehow I am able to understand his tactics (a defensive physical midfield and go for counter attacks) but just don’t understand his philosophy about his team selection. Pathetic!!! I can’t und erstand when he is giving chance to some of the oldies like BRANA or Clemente or Maxi. Why can’t he give a chance to Aimar, Samuel, Cambiasso or riquelme? I really want Sabella to build a team for World Cup 2014 and really don’t want Sabella to select Aimar or Cambiasso, but they are way better and can contribute much more than his favorite players. Infect if he choose classy experience players like Aimar or Cambiasso in midfield and give a change to Lamela or Gaitan to play along with them, they could be an asset for WC2014 in the midfield. But who will make this understand to this idiot and lousy coach who seem very egoistic and just trying to prove that he is correct with his team selection, nothing else. But ultimately what will happen? We will lose one important match in an important tournament and the he will resign & try to hide his face for few days and we (the fans) will be disappointed once again. Believe me if AFA doesn’t think about these, we are heading for another disaster in WC 2014. Being an Argentina fan since 1990, I really want Argentina to lose this match against Germany and want a pathetic pathetic disaster performance from his pet players like Sosa or Clemente, so that for the sake of Argentina football he shreds his ego and choose right players…

Abs (United States)

Posted on 8/6/2012 at 11:49 PM 0 @ el proncipe: The difference is ?

Mik (United Arab Emirates)

Posted on 8/6/2012 at 3:26 PM 0 The gud side is most of our upcoming matches r against tuffer opponents so Sabella may have to drop his favourites if they fail. If succeds then its great for us.

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 8/6/2012 at 3:02 PM 0 @el principe_ despite what you consider as hard work from Sabella, he is biased towards Sosa and Estudiantes players in an unfairly way. There are hard workers and younger players better than Sosa and Guinazo. Like it or not, this is destroying what Sabella is trying to do. i respect your point of view, but thats mine.

Mik (United Arab Emirates)

Posted on 8/6/2012 at 2:08 PM 1 I agree with u @el principe but the main difference between Sabellas players in Estudiantes and his Player selection in our NT is Sabella is not using a player like Veron who is a holding player as well as creatively Gud. For now we dont have that kind of a player or sabella is not implimenting that type of a formation in our NT now. For now our Midfield is tooo Defencive with including Sosa who is simply useless who cant even hold the ball nor can he defend well i like Guinazu more than sosa atleast Guinazu or even Brana can defend and tackle well. Its mostly a 3 attackers MESSI, DIMARIA, AGUERO/HIGUAINs to create and finish against bigger opponents and 4 attackers MESSI, AGUERO, HIGUAIN, DIMARIA against weaker opponents.thats Sabella for ussss. and rest all will be the likes off Sosas, Guinazus, Branas etc etc Defencive type players. Hope Biglia or even Banega gets into our DMs who can be creative little bit.They need to be given chances to prove their calibres. And defence is atleast now shaping up well with nice centre backs i do beleave Sabella is gonna get some new fullbacks too.

soumya (India)

Posted on 8/6/2012 at 12:07 PM 0 @el principe....but what about fullbacks....?

el principe (United States)

Posted on 8/6/2012 at 11:42 AM 1 Sabella is seriously making this team into a hard working counter attack team. He knows what he's doing in fixing the defense. If Federico Fernandez and Garay can live up the expectation combined with Campagnaro and Coloccini as the subs meaning a dramatic improvement over Batista's defense of Burdisso-Milito. His midfield, though is very strange. I try to understand his way of thinking. Why doesn't he even like creative midfielders who can dribble, hold the ball, or something like that. We have that in Pastore, Lamela, Gaitan, or Aimar. The only creative midfielder he has is pretty much Angel Di Maria. Others are pretty weird. The likes of Sosa or Guinazu would never make anyone list had another coach been in charge, but they are at least rotation players, if not important players for Sabella. What's so good about them? I think the answer is Sabella needs not a "big time player", but he needs good role players who are willing to do dirty stuff. The likes of Pastore and Lamela are more useful for PSG or Roma. They are important. They are everything for them. Imagine if Guinazu or Sosa joined their teams, their role would be just like Nuri Sahin for Real Madrid last year: cheer leader. For Sabella, Argentina have that already in Messi, Aguero, or Di Maria. I mean those who can hold the ball and create the offense and be everything for the team. Sabella's coaching method, who clearly doesn't have any intention to make Argentina to play like Barca, does not require too many creative players in a team. It's different from Barca. He just needs 2 or 3 at max and the rest are the blue collar workers who are willing to play "nasty" like Sosa or Guinazu. It is just like how he did it for Estudiantes. Estudiantes had Veron or Enzo Perez or Sosa as their players who were allowed to hold the ball. The others were pretty much good role players who were unknown. I love Pastore and Lamela. I clearly don't like Sosa, but I do understand Sabella's way of thinking. He knows that Basile's, Maradona's, and Batista's team never worked because of one thing: the numbers of creative players and the numbers of role players were unbalanced. Basile once started: MASCHERANO, CAMBIASSO, RIQUELME, VERON, TEVEZ, and MESSI. Maradona started: MASCHERANO, DI MARIA, maxi, TEVEZ, MESSI, and HIGUAIN. Batista started: MASCHERANO, BANEGA, CAMBIASSO, DI MARIA, TEVEZ, and MESSI. *The players in capped are important players/leaders/"the gods" of their clubs. *The players with small letter are merely hard working players/regular rotation players for their club. Now check out Sabella: MASCHERANO, gago/guinazu/brana, sosa, DI MARIA, AGUERO, and MESSI. See the difference?

asjbest (Indonesia)

Posted on 8/5/2012 at 9:37 PM 0 @ABS yes you have some good points. Thanks

Abs (United States)

Posted on 8/5/2012 at 1:56 PM 0 @ asjbest: I agree and disagree with you, Mano Menezez does have a vision, but doesn't have an option. Yes it is true he is giving those young ones the chance to build a solid team, but in my opinion those kids will shine ONLY as kids. Big teams in Europe are making big bids for them, but I hardly see anyone succeed in their. On the other hand, Sabella does have the option but not the vision, coz many of those young talents are already stars with their teams in Europe. He picked couple of them in friendlies, but never gave them the chance. Yes it is too late for Guinazu, Brana, Maxi and many others, just like it was for others before them. But Sabella is playing it safe, and unfortunately, safe doesn't win you anything !!

asjbest (Indonesia)

Posted on 8/5/2012 at 10:04 AM 0 No need for guinazu, brana, Maxi Rodriguez both too old for wc 2014. Sabella needs to learn to mano menezez who prepare Brazil with young talented squad. Mano menezez does have vision. Pastore, lamela, biglia, tino Costa should be at the squad.

diego (Iran)

Posted on 8/5/2012 at 7:43 AM 0 Very bad ,disappointment

soumya (India)

Posted on 8/4/2012 at 4:50 AM 0 @waveride...i think...if u want to play with 3-5-2...one fullback is needed with 3 CD....so Aguero or Higuain should be replaced by a fullback...obviously...wing fullback....otherwise team is ok...

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 8/3/2012 at 11:10 PM 0 I for one cannot understand why players like gaitan or pastore aren't even given a chance ecause they lack defensive skills. Di-maria never tracked back and never got involved with the defence when he was playing for diego or batista, yet he has been transformed into an excellent midfielder under mou's care in RM, where provides a great deal of assists, key passes, width and contributes to the defence. It is really up to the coach to instill the need for defensive contribution into his players. Honestly you tell guys likes pastore, gaitan or lamela to track back and help the defence when need be or otherwise they'll never wear the NT jersey and they will do it.

waveride (Greece)

Posted on 8/3/2012 at 3:20 PM 0 Hello to everyone! Glad to see Coloccini in the list. In my point of view, i really like the counter attacking style that we try to utilize, as long as it can provide fast counter attacking to opponents' goal. I think Sabella will go with a 4-4-2 and the line up will probably be: Romero Rojo - Coloccini - Fernandez - Zabaleta Mascherano - Cago Di Maria Sosa Messi Higuain For this line up i would prefer Zabaleta in Rojo's position and Campagnaro starting as right back. I would also like to see Augusto Fernandez starting instead of Sosa, although i know very few about him, because he is young and is an option that we haven't try before. I would be glad if he will prove that he is fast and can go deep and help the defence when we loose the ball, because together with Di Maria, who i really like as a player, could form a really good counter attacking style. I would appreciate if anyone could tell me his opinion if Fernandez is able to do these things. Soumya, I was thinking 3-5-2 as a plan B too, and my line up would be: Romero Campagnaro - Fernandez/Coloccini - Garray Mascherano - Cago Di Maria Augusto Fernandez/Lavezzi Messi Aguero Higuain Some may say that Lavezzi is not a good option for this position and i will respect it, i just thought that he may can play there beacause when i was watching him with Napoli, although he was playing as a forward, he was running all the time and was going back to help the defence when they were loosing the ball. Anyway, Sosa could be a sub for Fernandez (because i can't think anyone else who can attack and defend too, Sosa did not impress me either) and Lavezzi could be a sub for the forwards. I really don't understand why some people do not like Lavezzi, in my opinion he is world class. Vamos Argentina!

ddr1123 (United States)

Posted on 8/3/2012 at 1:11 PM 0 I am not sure he can be a #10. He is not and probably wont have chance to do so. A #10 can control the pace of the game. But he is maturing good. He is in good hand, though I hate Mourinho :)

QuothTheRaven (Singapore)

Posted on 8/3/2012 at 10:11 AM 0 Just watched the highlights of Real v La Galaxy. And i thought Di Maria is improving a lot of through passes and his attacking play. I'm pretty sure he can be the ans for the other #10, which everyone here wants.

sufi (Nigeria)

Posted on 8/3/2012 at 10:11 AM 0 I am about to loose faith completely on sabella, he never know the value of friendly matches,and he doesn't believe in change.

ddr1123 (United States)

Posted on 8/3/2012 at 9:00 AM 0 yes Fred, that would be valid in my mind. The 3 needs to be fast to cover and not pull shirt and get ejected. Soumya 3-5-2 is indeed a true Argentina formation from old Maradona days. But needs tremendous game knowledge and lot of practice. Napoli played 3-5-2 mostly. Barca tried under Guardiola but faced some tough results. 3-5-2 for Argentina will be a dream, just we do not have players and time to practice. The strength of Argetina NT has moved from midfield/enganche (Veron, Riquelme, Aimar, Ortega, Gallardo, Dalessandro etc.) to forwards and goal scorers (Messi, Aguero, Tevez, Higuain, Lisandro, Milito and many more). So now it makes sense to build a team on that power. Utilize the power we have now. Other than Sosa and Salvio type selections we are sort of headed in that direction I think.

soumya (India)

Posted on 8/3/2012 at 12:49 AM 0 3-5-2 is an another option ....3 CD(campaganaro ,coloccini,fernandez)..5 MFs(matias rodrigez,mescherano,gago,di maria,clemente)..and 2 forwords are messi and higuain/aguero....i think this is an experimental formation....but can be effective for argentina...hope sabella will try it...it could be his plan B...

Fred (Hong Kong)

Posted on 8/2/2012 at 1:56 PM 0 @ddr1123 I guess the DM Masche can drop back as a CB when Argentina is playing high up the field, with two wing backs moving up to attack. Then there are still three CBs with Garay and Fernández giving some physical presence.

ddr1123 (United States)

Posted on 8/2/2012 at 8:23 AM 1 I am not a big fan of Coloccini. He has been doing great lately though. He is a good ball playing Center Back. He also looks great because you hardly see any ball playing CB in England. He also had a good season with Deportivo, but if you remember, depo played an interesting 5-3-2, and he was one of the 5. Lots of cover and he played his part well. He is slow, but with a counter attacking approach, he won't have to run 20-30 yards with a striker and snatch the ball. In short, he will be a disaster if playing for Barca, where the CDs are standing near the center line. Whereas, he will be good for NewCastle or Deportivo, where it is a team defense and having good control on the ball, he will distribute it out well. Overall, he earned his place. Lets see what he has to produce.

fanfrom78 (United Kingdom)

Posted on 8/2/2012 at 4:29 AM 2 sosa is in my team because for the love of god i cannot get him out of sabellas

sandy (India)

Posted on 8/2/2012 at 2:53 AM 0 @fanfrom78 in this eleven if kun starts and Sosa is replaced by any player except Guinazu, it becomes a decent team.

fanfrom78 (United Kingdom)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 5:53 PM 0 backline camp and zab as f/b's zabaletta to the left camp to the right then col and gary in the middle nice solid line il be happy with camp-col-gary-zab ----gago-masch---- dimaria---------sosa- -messi- kun/hig

Mik (United Arab Emirates)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 2:42 PM 0 OOoooppss long timeeee.Any how not that much changed in the team lineup apart from Collocinis inclution.But i do hope Augusto Fernandez gets a chance to display his pottential.

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 2:37 PM 0 why do i read we have a strong modfield? this mid is the same as we have before and have looked aweful, eaisly over run and any sort of pace kills us. the brazil game showed us where we really stand, take away the messi magic on the day and its horrible to see and watch.

ddr1123 (United States)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 12:52 PM 0 @sandy Maradona's argentina did not have any defense. Anyway, who cares :), lets win some matches Somehow most people do not understand Maradona's team yet. But anyway it is over.

soumya (India)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 9:32 AM 0 i dont think it looks like Dunga's Brazil....argentina copying netherlands(WC 2010)...tactics is similer like them....

sandy (India)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 9:03 AM 0 @ddr1123 This is becoming not Dunga's Brazil but Maradona's Argentina!

ArgiesFanIndia (India)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 9:03 AM 0 Unfortunately Dunga's team has achieved nothing although probably he had the best defenders in the world - Maicon - Thaigo Silva - Lucio - Alves :(

ddr1123 (United States)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 8:29 AM 0 @Trini Pupi You just stole words from my mouth :) you are reading my mind buddy lol! It is shaping up like Dunga's Brazil, which kind of won everything. I say, we have not won anything for a few days, lets win something then go for pretty football :) For all, I do not like Sosa or Salvio. They both have not achieved anything, neither consistently shows what their true talent is. There is place open for a good #8. Banega could take that, he needs to hire a driver for him first. His car was in ashes yesterday, good he is alive. Pastore will be there, I hope in 2014. Just see how good a #8 Iniesta is. I would have loved if Pastore went to RM under Mourinho.

ddr1123 (United States)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 8:17 AM 2 @ArgiesFanIndia You do raise some good questions. I think most of the people who apparently are supporting Sabella, are actually saying, they (including me) get what Sabella is trying, not necessarily supporting it wholeheartedly. Your first formation is too attacking. In modern football with its pace and physicality you need 7-8 players to defend when you lose the ball. Your first formation do not have that. You have 6. With DiMaria as a high up winger, he cannot track back too much. If Pastore/Lamela do not cover horizontally and Messi and Dimaria do not drop down, the opponent will exploit the space between Zabaleta and Messi and Also Kun and Ansaldi. Which will drag Masche and Gago out of position and soon you will have a flood gate open. With weak opponents it can work. Too much fire power will just burn them. Your second line up is better as you can yourself see. Question for all, I see a lot of Lamela fans. The kid is talented, don't get me wrong, but what has he achieved? With Roma or River? I watch Roma, I know how they did and what they are. The position we are talking about mandates skill, experience, leadership and ability to step up. He is even hot headed, which is not right for the position you all want him to give. I say again, he is talented but very green. I would love to hear some counter arguments. Waiting :)

ArgiesFanIndia (India)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 7:41 AM 0 …Again…lots of guys seems prefers Sabella’s tactics and are commenting that Sabella’s tactics is counter attacking and we seem to be heading towards a counter attacking squad. Guys a team can go for counter attacking football when they have solid defense and midfield, like Inter Milan and Chelsea have done against Barcelona and but do we really have that much quality in the middle or in back? NO... Believe me guys we cannot defend constantly when opponent teams attack us continuously. We will concede goals for sure. Also we must need to hold the ball. I have seen Argentina’s all the 4 or 5 matches and I have rarely seen we were able to complete 10 passes at a time. With this tactics we are just giving a chance to our opponents to get better of us, especially when are not choosing right players. When we have the best players in the upfront then why can’t we go for some attacking formation with all the players will have the responsibilities to defend? We can’t we form a team with right balance in defense and attack? I really want to form a team with 4-3-3 formation, can you one please tell what’s wrong with this formation? --------------------- ROMERO ------------------------- Zabaleta--- Colochini--- FERNANDEZ-----Ansaldi/Monzon -----------------Gago ------ Mascherano --------------- ----------------------Pastore/Lamela------------------- -------Messi ----------Kun/Higuan ----------Di maria/Kun If we say that Pastore or Lamela is not yet ready for NT and we need to go for relatively defensive lineup why can’t we go with this team? --------------------- ROMERO ------------------------- Zabaleta--- Colochini--- FERNANDEZ-----Ansaldi/Monzon Jonas-----------Gago ------ Mascherano -------Di maria- --------------------- Messi ------------------------- ------------------- Kun/Higuan------------------------- When we have 2 Defensive midfielders and also 2 attacking midfielders?

sandy (India)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 7:17 AM 0 The only positive thing our NT has got is the combination of Messi-Aguero, Sabella is spoiling that also.

sandy (India)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 7:11 AM 0 Hey, to me Sabella is the best tactitioner we have ever got. He knows that if Lamela, Pastore, etc. get chance, then they will play well and confirm their place. So he doesnt even give them a chance. Ha ha, he is a better strategist. U people expect to see lamela and pastore in 2014. Nevet going to happen coz if they were to be selected they would have been selected before.

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 7:00 AM 0 No matter what we say or wish to see, Sabella has no CAM in his plans, which leaves no room for Pastore, Lamela and anyone with that role. But, what if Pastore and Lamela proved themselves this season with a bright performance, will they get called up? Based on the recent selections, Sabella is not monitoring his squad and the players up to date performances. When you see Fernandez (the only positive element), who is rotting on Napoli's bench, Sosa from nowhere league along with Guinazo and Salvio, who didn't prove himself yet, are making Sabella's squad, the fact might be distressing that no matter how the stars perform or shine in their leagues, Sabella will stick to those who are in his head. Thats the ugly fact that we have to accept :(

ArgiesFanIndia (India)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 6:53 AM 0 Guys you seems very much disappointed with the team…don’t be…because this is just a friendly and we still have decent lineup. We still have time to find our weakness; at least Sabella will realize that for sure. Agreed that this team lacks creativity in the middle but could be very effective. What I liked in this team is a decent defense at least. Good news is that no Burdisso, Clemente and Coloccini included in the team (although he is not a very high level defender and often beaten by pace, yet he is better than others). Although I would prefer Cristian Ansaldi or Monzon instead of Rojo any day for left back position. In the midfield Gago and Mascherano are automatic choice as our defense is not very good and so we need 2 holding midfielders. Hope he will choose Banega once he is fit and available for selection. Good that Gago joined Valancia. Hope Gago and Banega will form a decent midfield pair and their understanding would be very vital for us. In that case Mascherano can move in CB position. No doubt about the inclusion of Di Maria in the middle, although he is not a genuine midfielder yet his pace, counter-attacking abilities, dribbling and defensive qualities made him an automatic choice. Now one place left in the middle and unfortunately Sabella prefers Sosa in that place and I don’t know why? It’s really sad that Sosa is getting chance after chances under sabella. I will prefer Gaitan/pastore or Lamela in that position, but they must need to improve their defensive abilities as they have to defend. For now at least I will prefer Jonas in that position for his pace and work rate, also for his physical appearance. For this match I will prefer Eduardo SALVIO ahead of Sosa. If we go for relatively defensive lineup 4-4-2 I will prefer Jonas, Gago, Mascherano, Di-Maria in the middle. For attacking formation 4-3-3 that eventually will become 4-2-3-1 with only Higuan will be in upfront and all Messi-Kun-Di maria in the middle to lead the attack from middle and 2 DMs. So it’s not that lots of changes are required…just couple of changes required and we can steal the show.

Dante Pastrana (United States)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 6:22 AM 1 No one is saying that I'm a fan of Sosa but Sabella is. I just want him to keep that positive outlook and shine for our team. Many true fans will tell you. There is no room for Pastore, lamela and even banega in the squad. We seem to be heading towards a counter attacking squad and out of the three I see pastore having an edge above the rest if all goes well for Psg with lavezzi. Lavezzi is Pastore's foot in the door. I hope he can get better along with lamela. One thing is for sure. Our midfield for this friendly is STRONG (physically). Our defense is number one priority here.

Tonoy (Bangladesh)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 3:53 AM 0 ok if i have these players, i would put them in this formation... --------------------GK S.ROMERO ----------CB COLOCHINI--------CB F.FARNANDEZ--- RB CAMPAGNARO-------------------------------LB ZABALETA ------------DM MASCHERANO/GUINAZU------ -------------------------CM F.GAGO--------- ----------CRM DI MARIA-----------CLM L.MESSI ---------------SS AGUERO---- ----------------CF HIGUAIN I WOULD CHOOSE MESSI AGUERO PARTNERSHIP.BECAUSE THEY COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER REALY WELL.I CHOOSE MESSI BEFORE SOSA IN MIDFIELD.AND AGUERO AS SUPPORT STRIKER.BECAUSE EXTREMELY GOOD FOOTBALL IN THIS POSITION FOR MAN CITY.THIS TEAM CAN DEFENSE AND COUNTER ATTACK TOO.VAMOS ARGENTINA............

QuothTheRaven (Singapore)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 3:15 AM 0 Why didn't anyone think of the possibility of Zaba as a left back, with Campagnaro filling in for the right?

msi2 (France)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 2:03 AM 0 my god, that midfield...

soumya (India)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 1:43 AM 0 i think againt germany team is good....only a new full back and young talented ATT mid should be in the team....

san (Indonesia)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 1:33 AM 0 My only regret why must there Campagnaro, Brana, Guinazu, Maxi and Sosa. I do not really like to Sosa, playing in argentina national team so far not too good. Pastore is supposed to be there. then, I also do not like the rojo, Insua should be called. Players such as Pastore, Lamela, Biglia, Cirigliano, Lisandro E. Lopez, and other young talents should now be given a high-flying hours from now.

Caniggia (Hong Kong)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 1:23 AM 0 @Jack not sure if your post was directed at me, but I am genuinely asking if anyone has an idea of what Sosa is meant to be doing on the the team, i.e his function. I don't believe Sabella knows nothing about football and has more experience than most coaches. Surely he has a role for him in mind, but based on performances, I cannot seem to figure it out. The other players I can work out what he probably wants from them, but Sosa??

soumya (India)

Posted on 8/1/2012 at 12:43 AM 0 CD is good...but worst fullbacks...no monzon ...no ansaldi...and in MF..no lamela,gaitan....:(

El Negro (United States)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 11:31 PM 0 Poor list. Creativity in midfield will be lacking. I don't see the presence of a CM. Sabella should go with a diamond 4-4-2 Campagnaro--Colochini--Fernandez--Zabaleta --------------Mascherano------------- ---Di Maria-------------------Lavezzi -----------------Messi-------------- ---------Higuain--------Aguero It's just a friendly. Argentina should play with the above line-up to play a more defensively as well as offensively fluid game. Lavezzi needs more time to showcase his club form for the Albiceleste. We all know that won't be the line up against Germany. Sabella should call Tevez back. He should start getting him on track so he can terrorizes defenses along side Aguero and have Messi behind them as their PATRON.

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 10:17 PM 0 as you will see im voted a bad list and i dont believe sabella is taking us at all forwared with the same bad to average names like lav,sosa, rojo,zab,clem, guin and the expected maxi the trio of hig,messi and kun must start but sabella does not seem to like kun and messi to start together. friendlies are the time to try the lam, past, puli etc etc as its to late at world cup time and what is the plan if messi gets injured? with no other playmaker selected or being tried.

ArgiesFanIndia (India)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 10:15 PM 0 It's a decent team but as expected I really not impress with an uncreative midfield. Another friendly and we are wasting to look at some promising talents. Sosa again!!! He will be in the team for 2014 World Cup, so question about his selection. Also No doubt about the forward line because we have the best forward line in the upfront. Defense looks Ok for me... - Happy to see Fabricio Coloccini. Hope he will continue from where he left with New Castle last season. Also he must be there in the starting lineup along with Garay or Fernandez. - I was never impress with Rojo (so many hype was there before Copa but he seems to be reasonable for me) and I would prefer Cristian Ansaldi or Monzon instead of Rojo any day for left back position. - Pablo Zabaleta retains his spot probably because of his decent Pre-friendly performance and actually we don't have much choice in that position. Hope Matias Rodriguez will be called and really want to see him for 30/40 mins on the pitch. Midfield: No creative midfielders in the middle :( this line is really not very much impressive for me. - No doubt about Gago and Mascherano, although Mascherano is not very much impressive these days with argentina..yet no doubt about their selection. - Seems Sabella forgot the name of so many decent and creative midfielders :( I was really expecting to see at least one of Pastore or Gaitan or Lamela in the team. - Why Sosa again? Believe me he will be there in the starting lineup for 2014 world cup. But at least I want to see Eduardo Salvio or Augusto FERNANDEZ in the starting lineup instead of sosa. At least call Mario Bolatti for now. - When Sablla is going for 4-4-2 formation then why he didn't select Jonas Gutierrez in the team? He could have brought balance in the team with his work rate and pace. He is good in defense and as well as in attack. I am not going to question about the formation 4-4-2, but with this formation unfortunately one of Kun or Higuan need to sit and it has to be Kun as he won't be available for Paraguay match. But I am sure this formation will eventually become 4-3-3 as you can't sit just Kun on the bench for the entire match. Infect I want kun to play in the upfront along with messi. Whatever the team may be and agreed that World cup & friend are not same yet category yet we want a REVENGE..VAMOS VAMOS ARGENTINA…

Jack! (United States)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 9:53 PM 0 Ahh Pablo, it's no problem lol, I don't really care too much. It's just that a circle of life when it comes down to Sosa. We get angry when he is called, get even more angry when he plays, game is over, complain how bad he was, then it's forgotten about till the next list of players is called. I am at the stage of not carrying who is called up anymore, as long as the team preforms.

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 9:48 PM 0 i cant argue with what you are saying on sosa, he is a lock sadly but thats the fun of these forums to say our piece as simple or complecated as it may be. i fellow what you write with interest Jack as you are a poster i do respect.

Jack! (United States)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 9:23 PM 0 Venting is fine, we all need to vent. But how long has Sosa been on the NT now? Him playing on the team has basically become a lock. As they say, it is what it is.

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 9:08 PM 1 jack "Just deal with it. Crying and moaning does not solve anything" i cant agree with you as what the point of a site like this if we cant vent our approvel or disapprovel about any Argetnine footballl subject.

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 9:08 PM 0 Im pretty sure our midfield will be consisting of: Mascherano, Gago, Dimaria and without a doubt Sosa or what they call him in Ukraine "Coca". The offense is of course Messi + Aguero or Higuain. But, how would the defense look like? Some might say: Zabaleta / Fernandez / Garay or Coloccini/ Campgnaro or Rojo "I hope not". for me, the best back line would be: Zabaleta / Fernandez / Coloccini / Campagnaro. Assumably, Sabella would go with: ---------------------------Romero Zabaleta-------------Fernandez-----Coloccini----------Rojo --------------------Mascherano-----Gago ---------DiMaria------------------------------Sosa ---------------------Messi--------Higuain According to what he talked about few days back, and the fact that Aguero wont be participating in the upcoming Qualifications. It's not that bad though, Sosa will be replaced sooner or later during the 2nd half.

Trini Pupi (Trinidad And Tobago)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 9:02 PM 1 Has anyone noticed how similar our team is shaping up to Dunga's Brazil ? Muscle in the middle and back and swift counter attack>?

Argentino Trucho (United States)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 8:53 PM 1 If Sabella is going to have a 4-4-2, I would hope for a midfield of Mascherano, Gago, di Maria, and Banega. Is Sosa just the placeholder for Banega?

Jack! (United States)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 8:46 PM 0 Why is there still an argument about Sosa? It happens every single time when the list of players is out. Just deal with it. Crying and moaning does not solve anything.

ddr1123 (United States)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 8:44 PM 0 Like it or not, Sabella has a plan. He does not want to lose first. Counter attack. Messi, Pipita, Kun and Dimaria good enough to score goals and win matches if we can stop conceding goals. The mid and def defend well and in numbers and in physicality. There are place for #8 is there. Gago, Banega etc. I am tired of saying Pastore and Lamela are not yet ready. They have to play a good and complete season. They have to learn to defend. They have to become good solid players from great talented players. Pastore has a chance to mature, I still think Lamela needs 2 more seasons and anything can happen in these 2 seasons.

Caniggia (Hong Kong)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 8:33 PM 1 I don't agree with the comment that Sosa is having a great pre-season made on another post. He scored 2 goals and created a couple... Against 2 sides that were named......? Go on, can you even remember who without googleing it? He is past his best, and his best was not that great. Guinazu and Rojo have a function, but I fail to see Sosas ???

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 7:40 PM 0 As expected, I don't like an uncreative midfield. Another friendly and wasting some promising talents. Well, let me say "Sabella is testing his plan not his players", if the plan works well, then we look for the players to fit in. Obviously, Mr. Sabella's midfield task is to breakdown the opponents attacks and wait for Messi to create an opportunity to move forward.

Nicky B (Jamaica)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 7:19 PM 0 So Sosa, Rojo and Guinazu is there okay lets see how this unfolds... But I strongly feel that Lamela should be in and working with the team atleast in training to see how things is done and so on sigh. We'll see....

Johnny (Thailand)

Posted on 7/31/2012 at 6:54 PM 2 "Decent" only because I think I understand what Sabella is up to. On the other hand, I honestly don't think there is any place on the NT for Sosa or Guinazu, and Rojo is very questionable. Sabella is looking to build a stout defense, a very physical midfield and an attack spearheaded by Messi. So, no room for slick midfielders, ballet dancing Pastore or green Lamela. Time will tell how it all works out, but as I have posted here countless times, this is going to be the NT.