Argentine Futbol

And there I go and make a bunch of typos when trying to give spelling lessons….

I AM a jerk….lol

Palacio scores, again

Posted from  United States

I read your previous posts ALBO, I’m here! But I admit I’m bored about futbol. I’m like you, feeling very negative and pessimistic. How could we feel different?

Especially because of AFA and many other things. It’s always the same. Things don’t change. They named Maradona only to take more money (including to poor but fanatic people in Argentina). Maybe they followed Renova’s pieces of advice? It’s sad how AFA is killing our chances by doing marketing and terrible management choices. ALFIO is right to not watch futbol anymore. It is “corrupted” in too many aspects, at too many levels (AFA, FIFA).

Yes, the “fans” database is rising. We can see it on the blog, it’s obvious. Messi and Maradona are used to make Argentina becoming popular like never before. People now claim themselves “argentinos” simply because they support Messi & Barca.

We won last 4 U-23 tournaments. It means the quality of our players is outstanding. What have we won with them?

AFA, did that terrible mistake by naming Basile, and changed their plans, 18 months before WC. You win a WC by preparing it on the long term and by training the same group of players during 4 years. That’s what are doing others. Some teams seem exceptions tough but they are not: Spain changed their coach but kept continuity in their system and players. France, despite having a very stupid coach are still working for years to prepare WC. All the teams are preparing WC 2010 (Brazil with Dunga, England with Capello) and will be ready defensively, believe me. Some say that Pekerman was given our team in the same conditions than Maradona, but the difference is that Jose knew the players like if he had created them…

Unlike these teams, we have been having internal fights. After the players, it’s Maradona’s staff VS Grondona & co battles that bring nervosity, for months.

Lots of stupid things are said in the press, but what we, argentinos, see from the outside is scaring. Especially after the 2 qualifying games. Our victory (4-1) and our defeat (1-6) have too many commom points:

- no clever movements from our players, even from the “specialists” like Maxi. Players are too static, like Tevez, Jonas. That is why I love Palacio, Aimar, Saviola…
- no true organization of the game without Roman (it hurts to see Veron instead of Riquelme…)
- Our forwards & others carry the ball far too much: Messi, Tevez, Aguero, Di Maria, Jonas (!) are too individualistic.
- Masche does everything in midfield and covers 10 kms of territory, like under Basile.
- No defensive system. Against Bolivia, our defensive line was kms behind our midfield and allowed our opponent to shoot amazingly with their #10. Altitude has nothing to do with this. It’s not the first time that Zanetti doesn’t press his wing, for example.
- Carrizo is an amazing goalkeeper, avoided us to lose 10-1 but he’s a sub in his club. And he’s the best we have.
- Maradona is giving priority to his heart by using Tevez & Aguero instead of a true #9

Depite all this, I’m sure we can win WC. But we will need some luck… and Messi, the saver. We won’t play the beautiful game like in 2006. I still believe in Maradona. But I hope he will stop selecting 36 players at each game and start training the same 23 players from now on. Is it too late? He must also work on our problems instead of playing like Mourinho with the press. We’ve already lost Riquelme. Enough.

I’m very very nostalgic. I really miss Pekerman’s ideas, cleverness and class. If only he had played Messi against Germany, things would have changed more than we think…

Vamos Argentina.

Posted from  United States

ALEXA, if you wanted to be president, I would vote for you only because you support Pablito Aimar! That’s how much I love to watch him, one of the classiest player ever. I’ll never understand people who don’t want him in the team, even if he’s often injured. I’ waiting for your surprise Diego.

VAMOS ELEGANTE PAYASITO! VAMOS AIMAR!

Posted from  United States

Aimar is phenomenal. He belongs on the NT for sure.

He and Messi would immediately link well….

Maxi
I think wait for Maradona’s surprise is over. His surprise is the 28 year old guy from Mexico. Gimenez.

However, I would prefer Aimar. What I do not understand is, these players (the new guy, nothing against him though) is going to play 15-30 mins max. Why can’t Aimar be thought in the same respect. I guess Aimar would also be around 28-29.

Posted from  United States

Common guys, Aimar is already history. He may still be one of the most gifted players from Argentina, but I can’t imagine him fit enough to play with so physical and intense teams of the World Cups.

Posted from  United States

Aimar doesn’t quit on and off the pitch at critical moments.

He was the only player who showed up in 2002.

If he had played against Germany in 2006, Argentina would have run the German defense ragged.

He’s gotten healthy, and the NT doesn’t have a proven attacking midfielder like him.

Talk about someone too old for the NT….Hernan Crespo.

I do hope he has success with the Viola….

Everton, West Ham and Newcastle are reportedly chasing Real Madrid’s forgotten man Javier Saviola.

Would be nice if he moves to Everton. Good solid team, small squad. He will get lots of playing time.

Posted from  United States

maxi good to hear from you again. I agree with you on the strong need to pick 23 players and stick with them. maybe there will be one guy that pushes himself on to the team next year but unless there is an injury the same 23 players should get called up each game. Maxi I would be intersted on who your 23 would be? Here are mine.

carrizzo romero

Garay Gonsolo Dimichillis Zanetti Forlin Monson Insua

Lucho Maxi Cambiasso Jonas Mascherano Gago Di Maria

Messi Tevez Aguero Zarate Higuain Milito Lavezzi

Posted from  United States

Well it wasn’t directed towards me, toddutah, but your list is pretty close to the one I posted earlier.

The major discrepancies are in midfield.

So good to have you back, MaxiLopez. I have missed you.
Hope you’re not too pessimistic and negative, you know that’s kinda my job in here

That’s a nice 23 argies list.
I would call 3 GKs.
I love Lucho Gonzalez, but not in our NT.
Same with Milito. I’ve seen enough of them doing nothing for the albiceleste.
To me it’s obvious that some players don’t change while playing for their teams or for the NT.
Other players are stars for their teams while nonexistent for the NT.
Happens everywhere.
But the main question remains,
Who are the 11 who will gel into one team and become a machine by WC time?

Posted from  United States

Of course the question is open for all. The two that I most want to see called up are Zarate and Higuain. I am not saying they should start but wow how could you not at least get them on the training field . Both Zarate and Higuain are the type of players that can be subbed in the second half and score crucial goals.

Posted from  United States

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/05/14/1264805/calcio-debate-lazio-on-the-rise-again-mauro-zarate-a-true

Posted from  United States

Maxi, its always great to hear from you.
Juve join chase for Tevez
http://www.espnstar.com/football/serie-a/news/detail/item268029/Juve-join-chase-for-Tevez/

Posted from  Pakistan

Good post Todd. Here is my 23.

3 Goal Keepers
—————
Carrizo, Romero, Franco (have not see any other)

7 Defenders
———–
Demichelis, Samuel, Gonzalo, Zanetti, Zabaleta, Monzon, Garay

7 mid fielders
————–
Mascherano, Gago, Maxi, Cambiasso, Lucho, Di Maria, Lavezzi (not really a mid fielder)

6 Forwards
———-
Messi, Tevez, Aguero, Zarate, Higuain, Milito

Posted from  United States

I’m with you, Todd. Zarate and Higuain need to be on any list.

Goal:

Franco, Carrizo, Assman, Romero – pick 3 – I think we should get Assman some experience. Rumor is Chelsea is keen on him!!!!

Defense:

Zanettti, De, Garay, Angeleri, Monzon, Forlin, Gonzalo

Midfield:

Mascherano, Cambiasso, Gago, Lucho, Lucho, Maxi, Aimar, Lavezzi

Forwards:

Messi, Tevez, Higuain, Aguero, Zarate, Milito

I’d put another defender in, but I don’t know of any that would be worth it. Especially with Mascherano, Cambiasso, and Gago in the squad.

I await your scathing reviews…..

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/05/14/1265853/mauro-zarate-i-am-ready-to-play-for-maradonas-argentina

Posted from  United States

Argentuban are you giving up on Di Maria? It looks like you have taken Aimar over him? I love Aimar and maybe it is worth the gamble.

Posted from  United States

So which forward does maradonas surprise from the Mexican league bump?

Posted from  United States

Hey Maxi —

Nice to hear from you, and see you writing in English rather than Italian or French .

Posted from  United States

I think Aimar has experience, has proven he will play hard for the NT, and is the best attacking midfield option we have. The way he plays, I believe, would complement Messi greatly.