“pekerman who had a starting line of 2 left backs” – true, b/c in Pekerman’s formation, Heinze played as a Central Defender and Sorin as Left Back when on defence; and when we attacked Sorin moved up high on the pitch either to MF or in line with Roman depending on which side we attacked from. Hence to cover his movement up, we needed a CD who could also play LB in a 3 man defence. We had no one else at the time, and in fairness, Heinze was our best choice to play that role.

I bring this up b/c even though Zanetti has used by Basile/Maradona, he has not been used in the Sorin capacity and we have sorely lacked width and face down the flanks. Just think of the number of times Alves, Evra hug the touch line high up the pitch and over their players the option of going inside or pass to the wide man. It opens up the game so much. Just look at Heinze this last game going up the pitch and creating 2 really good chances. It has been an element that we’ve missed.

Width on the pitch in modern soccer comes from a LB/FB/RB which is integral to allowing your wingers/MF space to find a wide man, but also to cut inside as defenders will have to be honest about covering the player with the ball and the outside winger (who is FB who came up). People here wonder why we don’t take long shots, well, when you have no movement and strikers all being cramped up top, then the defence doesn’t have to stretch and they can cling on to players much more easily thus rendering the long shot to the periphery.

“2 #5’s” – again, it’s a slight truth. Pekerman usually played with a #8 alongside Roman, that being Lucho. When he was hurt, Cucho came on b/c Pekerman felt there was no one else that could do the job. And even though Cucho is technically more of a #5 than a #8, he played as a #8 in terms of positioning. He was higher up on the pitch than Mashe, was asked more to be a release valve for Roman, go up when needed when one of Sorin/Maxi dropped back and obviously track back to help on D. Basically, a true number 8. He was much more advanced up the pitch and ventured into the opposition’s territory a lot more than a #5 would.

This issue, along with no genuine #9, has been one of our biggest issues when going forward in the Maradona/later part of Basile era. In the Copa, Basile used a MF that included Cucho/Veron/Roman. Admittedly, Cucho and Veron were used out of position, but along with Roman and Mashe provided an element of balance, both in attack and in defence. You had 2 outright offensive players, 1 defensive, 1 hybrid. Then of course, Cucho ended up more as a winger and we got exposed to a team that neutralized that formation. but that MF diamond worked in helping us retain some sort of shape and position. Pekerman’s idea was pretty similar in that he played with 1 #5, Roman to steer, with Cucho playing as a #8 not a #5 which allowed either Maxi/Sorin to move up on the flanks based on the side of the attack.

My point is this notion of #5 needs to go away. Gago, I like his game, is simply killing the supply of balls and oxygen a good #10 needs. Ever since Gago and no #9 came about, Roman disappeared and the team went into dire straits. Atleast ask Gago to step up the line and move in front of Mashe. By staying in line with Mashe, it creates a void in MF between our 2 #5 and our wingers and our strikers. It’s why we have no MF. B/c the D is so close to the #5 that it not only leaves us vulnerable to counter attacks as the other #5 can’t chase the attack up high as opposed to his own box, but it stifles our movement and passing as dictated above.

“and no right back. and his omission of zannetti” – this is one of my pet peeves. I am in no way defending Pekerman, I felt he should have picked Zanetti but at least I understand why. There was no room. Sorin played that role. You can’t have both Sorin and Zanetti. Count me amongst the millions who were amazed that Zanetti wasn’t preferred, but I saw the logic and given the way Sorin played, Zanetti wasn’t going to step on the field. You did raise a point about Samuel or even Di Michi who at the time was playing well who should have got the call. I mean Colochinni, Cufre, Scaloni. That was hard to understand then, even now. Obviously, politics played a part.

Can you please translate for us? And stop holding back!

Dear Diego,
Lareputamadrequeteremilparióporquenotelastomásdelaselecciónynosdejásunpocotranquilosaloshinchasquesóloqueremosveralaselecciónganar.
Albo (the shy guy next door)

Dear Diego Armando Maradona,

1. Call Higuain up! Call Zarate up ! Call Cavenaggi up!!!

2. Play all of them!

3. Put Messi in free role behind 2 strikers! Zarate and Cavenaggi

3. Pick a solid midfield – Mascherano, Higuain , Maxi!

4. A proper defense, none of this Heinze bullshit. Zanetti – Demichelis – Pareja – Insua!

Carizzo
Zanetti——Demichilis——Pareja——–Insua

Higuain———–Mascherano————Maxi

—————–Messi———————

Cavenagi——————————Zarate

I gurantee you that we would beat Brasil with this line up. And if you want finishers none are better right now than Zarate, Higuain, and Cavenaggi. And yes this is the position that Higuain mainly plays with Real Madrid.