Football News

Kenneth (United States)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 10:21 PM 0 Venezuela will be tough, this game will rely on the Concentration of the two CB's, Corners, and most importantly Mascherano and whoever replaces Gago to break up the counter attack. It seems like Argentina defends well against the teams who like to keep the ball, but against the counter attack we are kind of slow. These two games hopefully will test out our defense and show if this side truly has la "Garra" like some of the more Prestigious past Argentina teams. Hopefully Messi will score a total of 4 goals in these 2 games.

Abs (United States)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 5:19 PM 0 Sh!t !!

aka Mr. D (Peru)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 4:53 PM 0 @Leandro, it's when Guiñazu comes on that Argentina often give up goals. He is a bulldog but not even much of a ball winner. He does not fit in to this set up. In the game against Perú towards the end when he had the ball, Perú didn't even bother to mark him and they were right to do so, even near the penalty area he could't do much of anything with the ball. There's this truism that when you're ahead you sub and put defensive players on because you're less likely to give up a goal after that. But subbing off, say di María for Guiñazu, means Argentina automatically loses width and the opposing defense will not play as deep. So right away Argentina becomes more vulnerable defensively. Time and again Guiñazu comes on and Argentina give up goals. And in case people forgot, dude is now playing in Paraguay. @Some supporter, Braña just as bad. People think he must be a quality DM because he has no offensive game but really he's a decent defensively nothing more. Argentina need to replace Gago with a similar player who can put in some tackles but also pass. As for Yacob I don't know of any supposed attitude problem outside of the incident after the Racing v Independiente match last year. And right now I don't see a better back up to Mascherano (who's probably going to pick up some yellows in the WC.)

Jack! (United States)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 4:26 PM 0 This isn't your fathers Venezuela side, they are a much better side. And in a way I am kind of happy they are improved because there should be no more simple games. Every game needs to be a test. I think Venezuela will come and hope to get a draw. I expect them to park the bus and hit us on the counter. With that being said, if we jump on them early, I hope Sabella takes out some of our attackers early so we can get ready to Bolivia. I hate that game, middle of the week, early in the afternoon. It's a tough game, probably one of the toughest. But if we manage to get 6 out of 6, then we are in. I believe 4 will probably do it as well. Will be great being one of the first teams qualified. Last time we got in with 28 points and still had 2 more games(without Brasil the points needed won't be as high). So 26 will be equally to I hope Colombia and Bolivia is a long hard game. But knowing Bolivia, they will probably rest their side. Then again Bolivia need every single point from now on to even have a shot.

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 3:47 PM 0 I think the venezuela game will be ok, the argentina that they played were a far cry from the one that's playing now (the player selection itself hasn't changed much but the team's organization and spirit are much improved). What worries me is the Bolivia game with that torturous altitude in La Paz. I read that Sabella plans to take the team to Bolivia only a day prior to the game and I think thats a big mistake. I really hope he considers taking a plane straight after the venezuela game (giving the team in affect 4 days to adapt to that harsh climate) and maybe resting a large portion of the players that played in the venezuela match inorder to have a fresh set of legs and lungs when facing the bolivians at their home turf.

Tony Montana (United States)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 2:33 PM 0 I can't wait for Venezuela with their cowardliness...this is the team that rested their 10 starters, indirectly forfeiting their first game on the road just to save them for the second leg home game against Argentina....! I found that a lack of sportsmanship and integrity... And also that was Argentinas last lose...in October 2011.....(not counting domestic team Argentina joke of games against brasil). Argentinos don't forget such things and we will be ready with a vendetta in BA....

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 1:27 PM 0 johnny: i think we will both be howling for a while as sadly i cant see sabella trying any kind of enganche but wait their is still aimar.....but he and his kind seem to have vanished off sabellas rader. at leaat its summer here and the warm nites make howling to the moon not to bad :)

Pino (United States)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 12:43 PM 0 Sabella tried out new players the last two games, (Saudi Arabia and Sweden).I wonder who Sabella has in mind?, Who he liked in those games?, and who he plans on calling, the next two games.Time is starting to tick for the NT, a little now, to sort this out with our players (Lamela, Pastore, Montillo, Icardi, Costa, Banega, Biglia, Yacob, Peruzzi, Roncaglia...etc. Remember, Argentina is a elite (Brazil, Italy, Germany), with elite players.

Aslam (Qatar)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 12:28 PM 0 Hai. I am new to this. It seems good. I hope Fabio Rinaudo will play along with Mascherano. Sabella always count defensive and passing ability of the player. Rinaudo Mascherano pair will be towering for Argentina.

some supporter (Argentina)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 8:43 AM 1 I understand everybody's desire to see Yacob given a chance but the guy's got a complicated personality, like Tevez or worse. Not a good moment to add a disruptive player to the team. Any midfielder would do well if, like you all wish, we had a decent enganche. We should always have a decent enganche. Playmaking fives aren't our style and that's why we have none (as usual, I'm considering Banega a total waste). I'd love it if Aimar were called up but Sabella's got his whims just like any other top coach. I can imagine a Mascherano-Braña midfield, as rough as they get, because we'll basically need a strong midfield in Bolivia—we know our players can't play a hundred percent up there, so neutralizing the Bolivians' speed should be a first, rather than trying to play elegant from the very beginning (or at all). And Venezuela is way better now, don't be shocked if they strike first.

Johnny (Thailand)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 5:31 AM 0 @pablo.d-make that two wolves ! Me and you !

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 5:14 AM 0 Thanks ken, yeah I figured he was still with benfica, but I haven't seen him play recently, probably injured. Aimar has always been a class act, a true born and bred argentine enganche, one of the most baffling things about diego's coaching term (and there were many of those!) was the exclusion of Aimar from the WC selection even after repaying Diego's faith with a great game against peru (provided the wonderful assist that gave Pipita his fist goal for the NT).

Kenneth (United States)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 3:55 AM 0 @ Elpipita he is still at Benfica and actually still has a prominent role for the most part, always was a very good player but behind Riquelme...Messi himself said he modeled himself after Aimar.

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 3:25 AM 0 speaking of experienced enganches, does anyone know what happened to pablito aimar, is he still playing?

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 1:32 AM 0 johnny fantastic words and very funny but sadly its true.

Shinobushinobu (Singapore)

Posted on 3/4/2013 at 1:00 AM 0 Yea, it may sound harsh but actually I want to try other players. Just hope that Gago's injury won't be too serious. Venezuela should be easy, Bolivia... that's difficult.

Kenneth (United States)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 11:25 PM 0 I think its good that Gago got injured now, so hopefully Sabella can seriously think of a replacement for him, because TBH Gago is essential to us and HE will get injured in the world cup, he is injury prone his whole career has been that way. I hope Sabella realizes this and can figure out a plan B, i pray that Messi won't get injured but on well he keeps his body and training up i don't think that he will, so we primarily need to worry about, Gago staying health and Masch not accumulating to many cards.

Johnny (Thailand)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 9:55 PM 1 All the "options" noted, and no real experienced enganche. I feel like the last wolf on earth howling at the moon.

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 7:28 PM 0 @MrD, I think both Guinazu and Lavezzi should be in the team for scrappy games. When the going gets tough these two dont shribble. You need destroyers to secure leads.

aka Mr. D (Peru)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 6:53 PM 0 Banega, Biglia, Yacob all options. Just please keep Guiñazu away from the NT.

Dinucci (Argentina)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 4:14 PM 0 GAGO is a really underrated player he has so many key passes gonna be a tough replacement but im sure sabella will start banega maybe put guinazu on bench thats what hes used to i dont think he will change it till later

argentine (Ghana)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 3:51 PM 0 we need GAGO in those games.

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 3:48 PM 0 True that Leandro! There are several alternatives including: 1. Banega; the kid is world class on his good day but he rarely has good days when on the NT not to mention that he's inconsistent even at club level. Never the less while he may not be my first (or even second) option he's sabella's most likely alternative. 2. Biglia; my favorite option thus far, he's not quite as talented as Gago but he's still technically gifted with a good range of passing (especially long balls). He also tends to stick to his own defensive half and help the back 4, which is very important to the NT. And finally when comes to eagerness and sacrifice, well we've all witnessed the lengths that he was willing to go through to play for the NT even risking injury. 3. Claudio Yacob; this kid's talents have been known to most of us for quite a while now even before he joined the premier league. Yacob is more of a mascherano type player, but from what I've seen he's got an excellent range of passing and a high footballing IQ where he often takes decision that help out the defense and the offense. Wast Brom have struck gold with that one (and they didn't even have to pay!). 4. Tino costa; By far the biggest goal threat out of all the candidates with a fairly good range of passing and high work rate. That being said he hasn't shown that much promise when playing for the NT (remember that games against Nigeria and Poland and the most recent one against Saudi). All in all Leandro is right, this is a good chance to experiment and find alternatives because the lack of depth (due in-turn to the lack of experimentation rather than the lack of talent pool) is one of the glaring deficits that Sabella is yet to address.

Leandro (United States)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 12:32 PM 0 This is bad news, hope Gago heals up strong. But This is actually good news, the team lacks depth in midfield. We rely so heavily on him and Mascherano, and as of yet no one else has played to the level of consistency, effectiveness and sacrifice that these two give us. This could be Banegas or Costas chance to prove us all wrong.. but I wish we tried other alternative like Jacob and Biglia who can bring us energy in that sector and control in that sector. By Gago getting hurt, he forces Sabella to experiment. We are at the top of the tables for WCQ, this is the time to find alternatives.

trini (Trinidad And Tobago)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 12:26 PM 0 Tino Costa. Or time for Benega to step up. If you really want world class players.

aka Mr. D (Peru)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 10:50 AM 0 Well, this will be interesting. Wonder who'll be called up.

mzzl (Russia)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 6:55 AM 0 Guido Pizarro is better then both Gago & Banega.

Johnny (Thailand)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 6:51 AM 0 I wouldn't be surprised if Sabella goes to the domestic league for a Gago substitute. Or Brazil.

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 4:56 AM 0 Or Claudio Yacob.

sulav787 (Canada)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 4:55 AM 0 Bilgia

elpipita (Iraq)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 4:55 AM 1 oh crud! I really don't think people realize how important Gago is to the team, not only does he run like a dog and help masch with the midfield (its essentially the 2 of them trying to do the job of 3 midfielders) but he is THE main link between the defensive half and messi, hope he recovers soon.

Kenneth (United States)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 2:32 AM 0 In order for Sabella to try out an attacking midfielder from the start, he would take out one of the fab 4, no he will most likely be going back to a 4-4-2 or simply replacing gago with Banega or somebody around that same style.

pablo.d (New Zealand)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 12:24 AM 0 huston we have problems as their is no real tried replacment for gago but on the good side maybe sabella will try an attacking midfielder as we already have the defencive one in mash as we really need an attacking one or we could end up just like barca with no plan b.

Tony Montana (United States)

Posted on 3/3/2013 at 12:18 AM 0 i can see sabella having banega start against venezuela with a more attacking side and Brana, a sabella favorite from estudiantes against bolivia at holding midfield. hoping Gago will be back and 100%...