Football News

Mik (United Arab Emirates)

Posted on 2/6/2013 at 12:03 PM 0 Hey what About playiing Walter Montillo in place of DI MARIA I like DiMARIA but some of the Arguements here is Actually some what correct. What if Montillo Plays with Mascerano and Gago/Banega So its a Proper 4-3-3 with 2 Dms and one OM as much i like Dimaria I dont think he is a Proper Midfileder, But the most important thing is Dimaria is the most Important Player in the Fab4 after Messi because he is the one Sabella has given the task to complete the 3 men Midfiled so as to complete the Fab4 too a lot of running need to be done by him its a Tuff ask. I think we should keep that too in Mind before critizizing. as we used to say before he is Winger Playmaker who have an astounding knack of giveing assists. so lets see how he shapes up in t6his year. And i think this match is gonna be very very tuff Sweden is a Nasty side we r always been troubled by them this is gonna be a gud test especially for our Defenders because thers is Ibra to taunt them.I smell trouble in this match.

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 2/6/2013 at 10:52 AM 1 I dont think we need a poll. I would say 2/3 prefer the FAB4 based on the comments here and the upvotes to the specific posts promoting. So Fav4 wins. However, I think that the sexy seduction of the Fav4 (who would not want all of them?) accounts for the unrealistic/wishful thinking of the 1/3 that voted for it. So in my book we are tied :p To clarify, I have no problem with a FAB4, as @Kenneth has said, it forces the other team to defend their socks off. But I dont think that will all the time, there will be atleast 2-3 games in the cup that will be a total grind and thats where we will be tested. Teams with 5 midfield players (Spain) will really cause us harm. If we change DiMaria for any other player that inspires a little more confidence defensibly I would not be worried.. Lamela even who is super offensive. My beef is with DiMaria, I dont think Sabella is as strict with him as Mourinho is and thats a problem.

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 2/6/2013 at 4:50 AM 0 Rivlado was quite a polarizing player, on the one hand he was world class player that constantly tantalized and amazed (remember his one man show against valencia) on the other he was an outrageous diver with plenty of cringe worthy behaviors that left a sour taste in mouths of football fans (brazilians included) everywhere. As for Brazil's winning 2002 team, remember that while they played with their own version of the fantastic 4 horsemen they still boasted a very solid back line with the likes of Lucio at the centre and roberto carlos and cafu bombing from the flanks. Argentina doesn't have that luxury and so the comparison isn't as straight forward as some of you might think.

Kenneth (United States)

Posted on 2/6/2013 at 4:12 AM 0 @ El Principe Rivaldo was a great player but i have absolutely no respect for him CR7 looks like the statue of integrity when it comes to diving compared to Rivaldo, i mean the dive he took agains turkey in the semi finals at the corner....the guy became the staple and reason why people call Barcelona the "diving academy"

অর্পণ (Bangladesh)

Posted on 2/6/2013 at 3:02 AM 0 Who plays Xavi Roll in Real Madrid..? (Liga BBVA Champ) Who plays Xavi Roll in Man City..? (Bracklys Prem. Leage Champ) Who plays Xavi Roll in Chelsea :P (UCL Champ)..? Now tell me who will be Xavi of our N/T..? People are noising about it..

Tony Montana (United States)

Posted on 2/6/2013 at 2:12 AM 1 With the Fab4 anything is possible!

el principe (United States)

Posted on 2/6/2013 at 2:01 AM 1 Too busy to respond, by the way, just want to clarify. I was a huge fan of Rivaldo :) I love Argentina but I appreciate beautiful football. I hate Brazil, but I totally respect Rivaldo. I remember saying years ago that he was the BEST LEFT FORWARD in the world. In comparison, we had a pretty good one in Claudio Piojo Lopez, but Lopez was nothing compared to Rivaldo. They played pretty much the same position. Rivaldo was a beautiful combination of power, brain, and skill. Watch the game again, he was a second striker or similar to false #9. No way he is a midfielder or attacking midfielder. He usually played behind Patrick Kluivert for Barca, but Patrick was used as Benzema and Rivaldo was given a total freedom just like CR7. As for Ronaldinho, he played exactly the same position as CR7 in Madrid or David Villa in WC winning team 2010 Spain which was left forward position. So yes he is a forward. Or to be exact "deep lying forward". He is never a playmaker like Zidane or Kaka. In WC 2002, the winning team Brazil had 3 forwards in Rivaldo (Messi), Ronaldinho (Aguero), and Ronaldo (Higuain) and one attacking midfielder left in Denilson (Di Maria). Just exactly like our current position with fantastic four. The same went with 1998 and 2006. Brazil used 3 forwards and 1 attacking midfielder during 1998-2006. That is why they are dubbed "joga bonito". They won it and they were beautiful. That is why they were really proud.

Abs (United States)

Posted on 2/6/2013 at 1:04 AM 0 How about we make a YES/NO survey to find out if most of the fan want or doesn't want the 4-0 Anyway.. @Slicer: Great analysis for the winners of the last three world cups, but I would like to add that Brazil's toughest competitor was actually Turkey in the first game. That's how bad that world cup was !!

Kenneth (United States)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 9:37 PM 0 What i think people don't realize is that when you play against such an offensively dangerous team, you are forced to play more conservative, teams will play long balls and crosses WHICH is why we have the 2 towers in Fern, and Garay, if we can avoid simple and stupid mistakes and play defensively sound against crosses and long balls (like we did brilliantly against uruguay) then we will be fine. Teams don't play the same against such a lethal attacking line, which is why we have the Bulldog specialist in the MIDFIELD to break up the counter attack and the towers to stop the long balls/Crosses

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 8:56 PM 0 I think what we need to see is a real tough friendly against an A level team with the FAB4 on the pitch.. ideally a few friendlies like that.. If they can hold their own, then so be it. I am just sick of Argentina being 'favorite' to win, destroying the early group stages, and then first solid team we meet we fall apart.

mzzl (Russia)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 6:37 PM 0 @elpipita, Under Sabella neither Messi is false "9", nor Di Maria is classic "7". Both of them are more midfiedlers then forwards or 'extremos'.

aka Mr. D (Peru)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 6:22 PM 1 The thing I like about the current formation is that if you want to go more defensive you just slip in a DM for di María. I think a midfield of Macherano, with Gago on the right, and Banega/Biglia/Yacob on the left is fine. If you take off di María and Agüero (or Higuaín) then you start taking away from Argentina's advantage--its attack--and you start exposing Argentina's weakness--its back line. Right now opposing defenses are playing very deep and there's less space between Argentina's midfield and defense allowing the midfield to assist the defense. Take off 2 of the 4 and the opposing teams won't play so deep and they'll test Argentina's back line a lot more. At the risk of sounding like a broken record: under Sabella the Fantastic 4 has scored 9 goals and allowed 0. All-time 15 scored, 1 allowed.

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 5:50 PM 1 IMO the reason for the midfield's fragile state is the "fantastic 4 horsemen". People must realize that Masch and gago are on their own working like dogs trying to control the midfield, its basically 2 players performing functions that are reserved for 3 or even 4 players. I believe that adding a 3rd creative midfielder (think montillo) with messi and di-maria playing wide and either kun or pipita at the front (kinda like the 2008 olympic team setup) could provide the team with the stability that its missing while still maintaining most of the fantastic 4 horsemen's attacking edge.

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 5:37 PM 2 harman i agree with you, the 4 are our saviors and it reminds me of the yellow team in the 60s/early 70s who mantra was to score more then they conceded and this they did. our defense is average and the mid is fragile and we have no mid play maker relying on messi to be creative, simply put we have to attack and not rely on our defense or mid to win us games..

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 5:12 PM 1 Hello I'm back, you guys have some good points here, but we can't compare ourselves to others. Each team has its own characteristics, therefore we must work with what we have and use all the available resources. Our strength is in our fantastic four, while our weakness isn't in our defense, in fact it's in the defensive abilities of each player, specially when it comes to marking even our best defenders are considered mediocre in term of man marking. Add to that our fragile midfield, which sometimes gets lost and trying to find a way out and that way out is of course Messi. Don't wanna sound negative here, but we must realize that the fantastic four are our saviors. We have to keep scoring no regardless to the score, cause we might concede a goal at any point of a second.

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 5:09 PM 0 Like Leandro said, the 4 horsemen/fantastic 4 is a 4-0 waiting to happen, it is an effective strategy against weaker/defensively minded teams or in the case when Argentina is ahead and want to conserve the lead by attacking (rather than going more defensive as most coaches would) but against world class teams the 4-2-4 formation is far too exposed. Im hoping that Ansaldi shines in this game (as he did against messin in the 09 champions league) as the team is in dire need of a solid LB. Also I hope that Perruzi gets a chance to play as I see world class potential in the kid (he shut naymar down more than once). In any case sweden will be a tough test for the defense with Ibra and co being in a top scoring form as of late.

Dinucci (Argentina)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 4:46 PM 0 Asnaldi will probably be called up again if he proves hes better than rojo he will start

Pino (United States)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 4:45 PM 0 I'm sure Sabella is going to adjust if we have to, with the formation.

Dinucci (Argentina)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 3:39 PM 0 well hey you gotta make a decision now so by the world cup they know how to work together i know asnaldi is a better LB but i can see why he made the decision

some supporter (Argentina)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 3:23 PM 1 Bad news guys, Sabella said during press conference that "the defense is consolidated" and that he would have called Rojo up had he not been injured. That's what the man really believes. ps: 2006 Italy was horrible, they played anti-football. If that was a balanced team, then it was balanced by being entirely pathetic. WC champions are very overrated sometimes. Good luck can be stronger than good playing. Ask Uruguay, they almost finish 3rd.

Mik (United Arab Emirates)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 2:36 PM 0 And were is Willy Caballero of Malaga he is in top form he is the Best GK we have now he surely deserves to be in the team atleast as a Backup, He is in top 5 GKs in Europe now. Romero is fine for us but Caballero deserves a spot.

Mik (United Arab Emirates)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 2:17 PM 0 Well Well this is gonna be a tuff match for us a gud match to start a new year. Hmmm and i think i would more agree with Leandro. in 2010 we had only one midfielder and now we have 2 I dont think thats enough, But its working for us in 2012. so lets see whaat gonna happen this year its a crutial year next year the grand daddy of them all returns THE WORLD CUP Omg damn r we ready not yet not yet. And where is Guinazu guys is he injured i havent been in this area for now a while. He for me is the most trusted substitute for Mascerano, or yachob too is fins they Tuff Tackling DMS, Where as gago can be substituted by Banega , Biglia they r more soft type DMs. And Boy o boy Banega was brilliant Against Barca he Disturbed the rhytm of barca outstanding, I wish he could Ever replicate that form for Us if he does that He should be in the First Eleve after all he is only 24 he is a Beast. I know most here dont like him but i would say let him give some chances under Sabella I m sure no player can gel into a Formation easily gago is with the team for long time now like that Banega also should be around the team then only he can gel with the playing Formation, If he replicate Valencia Form he is a Answer to a WC Midfileder. Gago is not WC Mascerano is but the pblm is our Midfield looks weak still.

sulav787 (Canada)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 12:33 PM 0 nice

haman (Bahrain)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 11:37 AM 0 You guys are, you know what. I'll come up with my humble opinion later, gonna workout. Cheers xx

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 11:24 AM 4 First of, @elPrincipe thats an awesome reply. Cheers :) ... But I beg to disagree: // FIRST OFF SORRY FOR CAPS, BUT I THINK IT MAKES IT EASIER TO READ IN THIS POST. The definition of "fantastic four": four attacking minded players or four players who are either attacking midfielders or forwards. // OK, BUT IN MY OPINION MESSI, AGUERO, PIPITA AND DIMARIA (the only one who you could make the arguement for midfield) ARE ALL FORWARDS.. *NOT ONE OF THEM* IS AN ATTACKING MIDFIELDER. AS FOR DIMARIA, HE IS ONLY WORLD CLASS WHEN PLAYING AS A WIDE PURELY ATTACKING WINGER.. WHICH IS 90% FORWARD. WHEN ASKED TO BE A REAL MIDFIELDER HE IS SLOPPY IN HIS TACKLES GIVING AWAY DANGEROUS FREE KICKS, TOO SMALL TO WIN 50/50 BALLS, HAS ZERO AERIAL ABILITY TO DEFEND, HAS *ATROCIOUS* MARKING AND DEFENSIVE AWARENESS (I LOST COUNT OF THE TIMES HE LOST HIS MARKER THAT THEN LEAD TO A GOAL SCORING CITUATION FOR US), AND WHEN HIS EGO GOES CRAZY (ABOUT 6 TIMES A GAME) HE WILL TRY STUPID FLAMBOYANCE BY TRYING TO BE MESSI AND DRIBBLE PAST 4 PLAYERS IN VERY DANGEROUS TACTICAL PLACES (LIKE MIDFIELD, WITH THE CENTERBACKS OUT OF POSITION FROM A PREVIOUS PLAY). DIMARIA IS NOT A MIDFIELER, HE DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THE GAME.. TO GIVE PAUSE.. TO SLOW DOWN. DIMARIA ONLY SHINES WHEN HE HAS TO BE SNAKY AND CREATIVE IN ATTACK, AND PUT IN GREAT GREAT CROSSES TO HIS FELLOW FORWARDS. IF AND ONLY IF DIMARIA LEARNS TO BE A REAL MIDFIELDER WHERE HE CONTRIBUTES AT MINIMUM 30% OF HIS GAME DEFENSIBLY (YOU CAN SEE OZIL DO THIS FOR MADRID), THEN HE COULD BE AN ATTAKING MID INSTEAD OF A WIDE FOWARD. THAT WOULD STILL LEAVE US WITH 3 FORWARDS AND ONE MIDFIELDER. YOU COULD MAKE THE ARGUEMENT THAT MESSI COULD BE OUR MIDFIELDER, BUT COMMON.. WE WANT TO WASTE PERHAPS THE BEST FINISHER IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME AS A MIDFIELDER? AND ASK MESSI TO WASTE ENERGY DEFENDING? NO DOUBTS HE CAN DO IT, BUT IN THE CUP HE WILL BE VERY WELL MARKED IN MIDFIELD, HACKED, I WOULD RATHER SEE HIM UP TOP WHERE HE DOES MOST DAMAGE AND IS HARDEST TO NEUTRALIZE. Brazil 1998 their fantastic four: Denilson/Leonardo, Rivaldo, Bebeto, and Ronaldo // DENILSON WAS A TRUE MIDFILEDER. SO WAS RIVALDO. ONLY BEBEOT AND RONALDO WHERE FORWARDS. THIS IS NOT COMPARABLE TO OUR FAB4. Brazil 2002 their fantastic four: Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Denilson, Ronaldo // RONALDINHO AND RIBALDO AND DENILSON WHERE ALL MIDFIELDERS.. ONLY RONALDO WAS A FORWARD, AND RONALDINHO WAS THE LEAST MIDFIELD ORIENTED. Brazil 2006 their fantastic four: Kaka, Ronaldinho, Adriano/Robinho, Ronaldo // KAKA IS PERFECT ATTAKING MIDFIELDER. RONY, ADRIANO AND RONALDO ARE 3 FORWARDS.. SO HERE YES, ITS THE CLOSEST TO THE FAV 4.. BUT STILL, KAKA IS A REAL #10 WHICH MAKES THE LINE UP MORE BALANCED. THIS IS MORE AKIN TO A RIQUELME, MESSI, AGUERO, HIGUAIN LINE UP. WHICH I WOULD NOT BE SO MUCH AGAINST (NOT NOW, RIQUELME IS DONE FOR). Second of all, please do NOT create such thing as fantastic four = 4-2-4. Please... Sabella said it himself months ago that: 1. his attackers were his FIRST defenders. 2. it was 4-3-3 NOT 4-2-4 // DESPITE WHAT IS SAID, WITH DIMARIA IN THERE, ITS 4-2-4 FOR MOST OF THE GAME. DIMARIA LACKS THE QUALITIES TO MANTAIN A 4-3 BACK LINE. What do you say about Barca? you can say they played 4-1-5 if you want because Pedro-Iniesta-Messi-Xavi-Fabregas are all offensive minded, but no! They are 4-3-3. You can say Madrid is also 4-2-4 because Di Maria-Ozil-CR7-Benzema are all offensive minded but no they are 4-2-3-1. // FABREGAS IS A PURE MIDFIELDER THAT CAN SCORE. INFACT HE OFTEN PLAYS AS A *DEFENSIVE* MIDFIELDER. // INIESTA IS A PURE MIDFIELDER, IN MY OPINION THE WORLDS BEST AT THE MOMENT. WHILE NOT THAT STRONG IN DEFENCE, HIS AWARENESS IS PERFECT AND WILL ALWAYS BE BACK IN MIDFIELD FIGHTING FOR THE BALL WHEN NEEDED. ADRIANO AND HIM START ALL THE PLAYS IN THAT FLANK FROM WELL INSIDE THEIR OWN HALF. INISESTA ONLY PUSHES UP THE WING WHEN BARCA HAVE SECURED POSESSION AND THE OPONENT HAS PARKED THE BUS. DIMARIA DOES NOT DO THIS. // XAVI AGAIN, IS A PURE MIDFIELDER AND LIVES NEXT TO HIS DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER IN THE CENTER CIRCLE, DIMARIA DOES NOT DO THIS. // PEDRO IS AN ATTACKER, BUT HIS INSANE WORK RATE MAKES HIM MUCH MORE. NO ONE IN OUR FAB4 DEFENDS LIKE HE DOES. // MESSI AND VILLA ARE THE ONLY REAL FORWARDS BARCA EMPLOYS. THE TRUTH IS THAT BARCA PLAYS A 4-5-1, WITH VERY ATTACK MINDED WINGBACKS IN ALVES AND ALVA (GOD IS THAT KID GOOD). BARCA AND SPAIN ARE TOTAL FOOTBAL, WHERE ALMOST EVERY PLAYER IS A MIDFIELDER. I HAVE WATCHED EVERY GAME THEY HAVE PLAYED IN THE PAST 4 YEARS. Third, the teams that won the world cup in the past have one similarity: they know how to maximize the strengths of the team. I have been following soccer since 1986. So... // I AGREE. BUT I ALSO AGREE WITH OTHER COMMENTERS BELOW THAT DEFENCES ARE WHAT HAS WON CUPS. 1986 Argentina: They know that they needed the superstar Maradona and 10 role players. The tactic was give all the ball to Maradona and as teammates, they just had to make sure that they helped the "general" by being in the right place. // A BALANCED TEAM. 1990 Germany: One of the most balanced team in the history of World Cup. They knew that they had stars in each position. // A BALANCED TEAM. 1994 Brazil: Just 4 years before the idea of Fantastic Four was born. They had 2 legends in Romario and Bebeto, but their real strength was at the back where there were Aldair, Marcio Santos, Jorginho and the 2 world class DM in Dunga and Mauro Silva. // A BALANCED TEAM 1998 France: France had a weakness, a number 9. Guivarch was just average, but their midfield and defense were amazing. They knew it and maximize them. Lead by arguably one of the best right back in the history of football, Lilian Thuram, they combined it with Blanc, Marcel Desailly. In midfield they had super Zidane, Deschamps, Petit, and Djorkaeff. // A BALANCED TEAM. 2002 Brazil: The fantastic four at its best. It was almost like they won the tournament with ease. Brazil knew they had 4 world class "attacking minded players" (NOT 4 world class strikers) in Denilson, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Ronaldo and they just used all of their weapon mostly. Denilson didn't get to start always, but it was no secret that the team played better and achieved better when Denilson played with all other three. // MORE BALANCED THAN OUR FAB4, BUT HERE YES.. THE OVERALL TACTIC WORKED WELL. ITS WORTH NOTING THAT THEY ENCOUNTERED A LOT OF WEAK TEAMS WHERE AN ALL OUT ATTACK WAS IDEAL. 2006 Italy. Their strength was their goalie and defense. Arguably the best defensive team ever in football history. They maximized it and won it. // A BALANCED TEAM. 2010 Spain. The superiority of the Barca and Madrid players combined plus a Capdevilla gave them the trophy. // A BALANCED TEAM WITH REALLY NO FORWARD OTHER THAN VILLA (WHO WAS A WINGER) Now what's wrong if Argentina try to maximize their strengths by playing all 4 of their ATTACKING minded players? Guess what? Sabella even said that he knew that Argentina strength is their four attacking minded world class players. // WHAT IS WRONG, IS THAT A) OUR DEFENCE IS NOT WORLD CLASS.. SOMETHING ALMOST UNIVERSAL IN COMMON WITH ALL PREVIOUS CUP WINNERS AND THAT B) OUR FAV4 IS SUPER SUPER SUPER OFFENSIVE.. WE DO NOT HAVE 2 ENGANCHES AND 2 FORWARDS, WE HAVE 3 FORWARDS AND 1 WINGER.. THAT WONT WORK UNLESS MESSI THE WONDER KID CAN BALANCE IT OUT.. BUT THAT DULLS HIS BLADE. The bottom line is. Let Sabella do the job, if it (the fantastic four) looks UGLY just like in the game against Saudi Arabia where only 3 of them played, then start the discussion. But if they looked GOOD I mean GREAT against Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay with the record of undefeated 5-0-0 and 16-6 goal difference. Then let's just be still. // IF ARGENTINA CONTINUES TO ARRANGE CHALLENGING FRIENDLIES LEADING UP TO THE WC, WITH TEAMS LIKE BRASIL, GERMANY, ITALY, ENGLAND, FRANCE, ETC.. AND WE WIN OVER AND OVER WITH FAB4 I WILL SHUT MY MOUTH. BUT THE WC QUALIFIERS ALONE WITH SOME MEDIOCRE FRIENDLIES WILL NOT INSPIRE MY CONFIDENCE. Let's not live in the past where the fantastic four lost 0-4 against Germany. We had a bad coach at the time. We had Tevez, the trouble maker starting at the time. Now it's completely different! // AGREE, BUT THE REAL REASON THE TEAM LOST WAS BECAUSE MASCHERANO WAS THE ONLY REAL MIDFIELDER.. ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THE FAB4 IS THAT ITS MASCH AND GAGO.. STILL 2 DOING THE JOB OF 4. IN EITHER CASE, LETS HOPE THE WINNING FORMULA IS WHAT SABELLA CHOOSES, CHEERS MATE :)

Pino (United States)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 11:19 AM 0 And when we play top European teams, Macherano and Gago are going to be carded because of the unbalanced on defense, then what? We have to focus on the midfield.There's a big gab between the fab4 and Macherano and Gago in the middle.I hope we don't play Germany in the World Cup with a 4-2-4.DiMaria is a wing player, not a mid.

aka Mr. D (Peru)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 9:45 AM 0 Rojo is a CB...except with the NT. Go figure.

Fred (Hong Kong)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 9:28 AM 0 Rojo can also be a CB and is tall. Given that the LB has to cover the CB position ocassionally and our midfielder and forwards are relatively short, Rojo is particularly important for us.

aka Mr. D (Peru)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 8:22 AM 0 I think the best description I've heard of the current formation is a lopsided diamond. If you want to go more defensive you put in Banega or Biglia or Yacob and it becomes a regular diamond. As for Ansaldi's defensive responsibilities I've always been surprised how far forward Rojo would get. I'm sure Ansaldi will be much better.

asjbest (Indonesia)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 6:54 AM 0 almost perfect line up. But still doubt for Federico Fernandez since he does not have playing time. I would pick otamendi over him. Banega should replace gago. Gago seems easy to lost the ball. And when pastore back to his best, he can replace aguero to add creativity for our team

Slicer (Lebanon)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 6:37 AM 1 The Real reason why big teams won the previous 4 World cups. 2010: Spain won it because of their brilliant midfield and defense. They barely conceded during the tournament except in the group stages but they had an awesome team, plus David Villa was the one getting them the goals. In the rare times that they did lose possession, Ramos, Puyol, Pique and Casillas were there to pick up the ball. 2006: Italy, like Spain, had an amazing defense but they had more luck on their side as they had only to beat Australia and Ukraine to reach the Semi Finals. They beat Germany in extra time and needed penalties to win it. 2002: Brazil were the luckiest of them all. Basically they played Costa Rica, China, Turkey x2, England, and Germany. The only team that posed any threat to them was England and they relied on luck as well (Ronaldinho's free kick) to go through. Ronaldo and Rivaldo were awesome as well in that tournament. 1998: France won it with a solid defensive line up which was scoring them the goals and home advantage. So looking at the last 4 World Cup victories, I noticed that teams have won it with a bit of luck, favorable draw and a really strong defensive line up. The fact that Sabella is concentrating on fixing the defensive line up is pretty assuring.

Abs (United States)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 3:43 AM 0 If we play with that formation, and manage to control the game for 90mins, then I can say that Sabella knows what he is doing !

iman (Iran)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 3:39 AM 0 I think sabella must relay on youth players such ICARDI,and some home based players such ferriera,lopez and funes mori

cleanball (Indonesia)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 3:19 AM 0 Tango under Sabella really rely on the strength and creativeness of fantastic four. Although i prefer Sabella need a good back-up player if one or two of them is missing or have a bad off day. And brings more variety style of play as most of the opponents will play highly defensive format against Tango's team. This upcoming friendly against Sweden can be a good lesson how this team are doing and growing together.

Kenneth (United States)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 2:52 AM 1 @ El principe 98 France won they beat Brazil 3-0 in the final if i remember, it was 2002 in korea Brazil won with the fabulous and the GOOD Ronaldo

Istiaque (Bangladesh)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 2:42 AM 0 @el principe: Do You write regularly in blog? I really like your post mate! It was fine analysis!!

Amlan (Bangladesh)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 2:03 AM 0 This Sweden team have been in great form in scoring, Sweden 3 - 0 Finland Sweden 4 - 2 England Germany 4 - 4 Sweden Their main advantage is the height of the players. Garay and Fernandez better play well against their giants.

mzzl (Russia)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 1:57 AM 0 It is more 4-2-2-2, Mascherano-Gago; Di Maria-Messi; Aguero-Higuain.

messi (Lebanon)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 1:26 AM 1 I thought messi and di maria play as midfiledders behind aguero and higuain , not a 4-2-4 ,more of a 4-4-2 anyway i dont like giving up on one of our fantastic as they look scary for other teams. Its a good thing Tevez isnt there cuz i know hes talented but hes a team spirit killer and kind of slow things in attack. I dont want to watch another world cup with AGUERO on bench the mistake his previous father in law made

el principe (United States)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 1:21 AM 7 First of all, the idea of Fantastic Four was created by Brazil. They have used Fantastic Four in their 1998-2006. The result was 1 World Cup and 1 Runner Up in 3 attempts. Not bad, eh? The definition of "fantastic four": four attacking minded players or four players who are either attacking midfielders or forwards. Here is the fact: Brazil 1998 their fantastic four: Denilson/Leonardo, Rivaldo, Bebeto, and Ronaldo Result: Champion Brazil 2002 their fantastic four: Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Denilson, Ronaldo Result: Runner up Brazil 2006 their fantastic four: Kaka, Ronaldinho, Adriano/Robinho, Ronaldo Result: Quarter final Second of all, please do NOT create such thing as fantastic four = 4-2-4. Please... Sabella said it himself months ago that: 1. his attackers were his FIRST defenders. 2. it was 4-3-3 NOT 4-2-4 Please write something based on FACTS, not our assumptions. What do you say about Barca? you can say they played 4-1-5 if you want because Pedro-Iniesta-Messi-Xavi-Fabregas are all offensive minded, but no! They are 4-3-3. You can say Madrid is also 4-2-4 because Di Maria-Ozil-CR7-Benzema are all offensive minded but no they are 4-2-3-1. Third, the teams that won the world cup in the past have one similarity: they know how to maximize the strengths of the team. I have been following soccer since 1986. So... 1986 Argentina: They know that they needed the superstar Maradona and 10 role players. The tactic was give all the ball to Maradona and as teammates, they just had to make sure that they helped the "general" by being in the right place. 1990 Germany: One of the most balanced team in the history of World Cup. They knew that they had stars in each position. 1994 Brazil: Just 4 years before the idea of Fantastic Four was born. They had 2 legends in Romario and Bebeto, but their real strength was at the back where there were Aldair, Marcio Santos, Jorginho and the 2 world class DM in Dunga and Mauro Silva. 1998 France: France had a weakness, a number 9. Guivarch was just average, but their midfield and defense were amazing. They knew it and maximize them. Lead by arguably one of the best right back in the history of football, Lilian Thuram, they combined it with Blanc, Marcel Desailly. In midfield they had super Zidane, Deschamps, Petit, and Djorkaeff. 2002 Brazil: The fantastic four at its best. It was almost like they won the tournament with ease. Brazil knew they had 4 world class "attacking minded players" (NOT 4 world class strikers) in Denilson, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Ronaldo and they just used all of their weapon mostly. Denilson didn't get to start always, but it was no secret that the team played better and achieved better when Denilson played with all other three. 2006 Italy. Their strength was their goalie and defense. Arguably the best defensive team ever in football history. They maximized it and won it. 2010 Spain. The superiority of the Barca and Madrid players combined plus a Capdevilla gave them the trophy. Now what's wrong if Argentina try to maximize their strengths by playing all 4 of their ATTACKING minded players? Guess what? Sabella even said that he knew that Argentina strength is their four attacking minded world class players. The bottom line is. Let Sabella do the job, if it (the fantastic four) looks UGLY just like in the game against Saudi Arabia where only 3 of them played, then start the discussion. But if they looked GOOD I mean GREAT against Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay with the record of undefeated 5-0-0 and 16-6 goal difference. Then let's just be still. Let's not live in the past where the fantastic four lost 0-4 against Germany. We had a bad coach at the time. We had Tevez, the trouble maker starting at the time. Now it's completely different!

Kenneth (United States)

Posted on 2/5/2013 at 12:17 AM 4 @ Rasel no Aguero cannot be midfielder, being a midfielder is a lot more then just tracking back it's a lot about positioning, knowing when to dribble NOT losing the ball. No

rasel (Bangladesh)

Posted on 2/4/2013 at 11:54 PM 0 4-4-2 is the ideal formation for any team to win anything. aguero can be midfielder also and dmaria is a midfielder and wiunger so argentina can play fantastic four for this formation 442. these player can change the formation when need .

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 2/4/2013 at 11:38 PM 0 4-2-4 is another 4-0 from Germany waiting to happen.. we can get away with it against weaker teams. But any WC quarter final team will laugh at us. I say stop living in fantasies and learn to win with a formation/squad that will win against weak AND strong teams. 4-4-2, a defensive minded 4-3-3 where everyone helps out, or a 3-5-2 with tenacious wingbacks.. time proven and tested. When has a 4-2-4 team won anything in the last 25 years?

hi2suresh (India)

Posted on 2/4/2013 at 11:28 PM 0 @El principe I agree with you that fantastic four have done wonderfully and loosing atleast one in the four has affected our play. But it also opens up new fears. 1. What if any one or two of the four can't play a game (due to red / injury) during WC match? 2. I am worried about thin midfield 4-2-4 is a scary formation if you ask me! I hope Sabella will have plans for if's & but's.

el principe (United States)

Posted on 2/4/2013 at 11:01 PM 0 No surprise. This is the expected line up. They should do well. Like I said, Fantastic four have done wonderfully great job in the past for Sabella. When one of them was missing, against Saudi Arabia, the team played badly and almost lost. Sabella would be worse than idiot to change the scheme. That is basic 101 coaching. Sabella has a tendency to keep the new players who play good when given a chance such as Federico Fernandez, Garay. He also had a history of getting rid of new players who didn't impress when given a chance. I really hope Ansaldi can impress and be the permanent replacement of Rojo/Clemente.

Kenneth (United States)

Posted on 2/4/2013 at 10:18 PM 0 It'll be great to see Ansaldi link up with Di Maria, hopefully Di Maria will have the discipline to track back although Ansaldi is fast he's not that fast..

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 2/4/2013 at 7:23 PM 0 Ansaldi better be good, cause he is gonna be very exposed with DiMaria as his wing partner.

Jack! (United States)

Posted on 2/4/2013 at 6:47 PM 0 Correction:The Four Horsemen and Ansaldi in practice.