Pekerman: World Cup Squad 95-Percent Chosen

His ball handle is one close to the Robinho’s, el buritto ortega. He is from River Plate nad has been playing for Wolfsburg in Germany. Peckerman would be insane to leave him and saviolita behind!

Posted from  United States

I agree with JP that Sorin has got to be in the squad, and Maxi Rodriguez should come in at the expense of Demichelis.

I am for keeping Coloccini and Figueroa out, and the sooner another goalie is found the better.

With regard to the strikers (I consider Tevez and Messi to be attacking forwards, but not “pure” strikers like Cruz, Crespo or Saviola), the question is which Argentine striker has been in-form this season?

And JP, could you please tell me a little but about Oscar Ustari? Thanks.

Posted from  Malaysia

Sorry, my bad. Totally forgot about one of most important memebers of the first team:(

Yeah Sorin is a definite, I heard a lot of criticism of coloccini, who would replace him though?

Posted from  United Kingdom

These are the players mentioned so far. I think we are close to finalising our 23 man squad.

Goalkeeper: Pato, Lux, Ustari, Lux

At the back: Sorin, Zanetti, Ayala, Samuel, Milito, Coloccini, Heinze, Rodriguez, Placente,

Middle: Riquelme, Aimar, Mascherano, Cambiasso, Lucho, Demichelis, Maxi Rodriguez, Aguero, Mauro Rosales, D’Alessandro

Up Front:Crespo, Cruz, Tevez, Saviola, Figueroa, Messi, D Milito, M Santana

Does anyone want to add another name?

Their is 31 players and we need 23. Everyone now start making your minds on WHO SHOULDN’T be in he squad. Remember its a final number of 23 players.

Posted from  United Kingdom

I was meant to add Franco to the goalkeeper list.

Heres My 23:

Goalkeeper:
Pato, Franco, Ustari

Defenders:
Sorin , Zanetti, Ayala, Samuel, Gabriel Milito, Heinze, Coloccini, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Placente

Midfielders:
Riquelme, Aimar, Mascherano, Cambiasso, Lucho, Demichelis, Maxi Rodriguez, Aguero, D’Alessandro

Strikers:
Crespo, Messi, Tevez, Saviola, Cruz

This is what i believe what most people want on this forum.
Is that correct so far? Who should be omitted?

Posted from  United Kingdom

Ive changed my mind. Luciano Galletti for D’Alessandro.

Posted from  United Kingdom

diego milito and cruz will not both go ahead of Saviola. Saviola is playing well, he will go. Figeuroa willl not go, he was playing well but just got injured while playing for River. D’Alessandro will not go because he has not been playing well and has not been called for recent friendlies. By the way he does not play for Wolfsburg any longer, he is in England now.
whats this news about another friendly before the cup, is that true????

Posted from  United States

p.s.

Mascherano played 40 minutes this weekend!!!
no complaints about pain, he is just a bit rusty. Nothing to worry about

Posted from  United States

yess thats great news i love mascherano hes an awesome player probably our best dm when he is on form.I hope he plays alot so he can be in good shape for the world cup because he hasnt played for a long time.The defence has looked extremely shaky in his absence.

I think Gago and palacio deserve to be considered.

Posted from  Palestinian Territory, Occupied

Argentina are already using their youth squad and more may follow. Messi is part of the team now and now their are reports of Ustari and Aguero coming through.Cannot believe Mascherano and Tevez are 21 and already regulars. Shouldnt rely on taking too many young guns into the squad. Their should be a nice mix of youth and experience.

But the youth does give the team a sense of unpredictability and unknown, which makes it very exciting.

One thing is for sure, we wont be taking any over aged veterans this time….lol.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Its amazing how the team has changed and evolved since last world cup:

Goalkeepers:
Roberto Bonano
German Burgos
Pablo Cavallero

Defenders:
Roberto Ayala
Jose Chamot
Diego Placente
Mauricio Pochettino
Walter Samuel

Midfielders:
Pablo Aimar
Matias Almeyda
Marcelo Gallardo
Kily Gonzalez
Claudio Husain
Gustavo Lopez
Diego Simeone
Juan Pablo Sorin
Juan Sebastian Veron
Javier Zanetti

Forwards:
Gabriel Batistuta
Claudio Caniggia
Hernan Crespo
Claudio Lopez
Ariel Ortega

Has any other squad changed as much as argentina’s

Posted from  United Kingdom

why you guys have forgttten about cesar’ delgado?he can play either side taking powerful cross in both sides.my team is

GK
Pablo Cavallero,Lux,Franco

Defenders
Ayala,Zannetti,Heinz,Cloccini,Samuel,Sorin

Midfilders
Mascherano,Aimar,Requelme,D’alsendro,Lucho,Cambiasso,Aguero

Forwards
Messi,Tevez,Saviola,Delgado,Crespo,Palacio

Posted from  Maldives

m just wondering why so many people are thinking that we are crashing out in germany in june 2006. i think our opponents know much than any one else our potentials, they are worry really. i do agree with some of the critics on pekerman(tinkerman), it is true that our last display in friendlies was poor such a lack of winning mentality is boosting the confidence of our opponents. i also believe that the reasons of those poor performances are the abscence of key players and also that pekerman is stil trying out things, though he must already have his team in mind 100 days from the kick-off. well i want to respond particularly to some who said that argentina lacks B plan in case of riquelme not on song. it is true that argentina depends a lot on riquelme but tell me which teams can find itself not dependant of such a jewel, gift with such a vision, intelligence and passing ability. that is one thing, who can tell me two teams who can afford having aimar in replacement of riqueleme when is off. which team in the world has the privilege of having mascherano, demichelis and cambiasso for the position of defensive midefielder? who has the possibility of making choice between gabi milito, ayala, heinze, samuel. Argentina is probably the only one team which has the most explosives youngsters for the years to come messi, tevez, aguera.with diego milito, cruz and saviola on the bench we have one of the most lethal striking line in the world. pekerman is the only one coach with various tactical options, he can easily field a 3-3-1-3, 4-1-3-1, 4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2. someone said that aregntina lacks freshness on the wing. m telling you that maxi rodriguez a very important player tactically speaking can really take this role in the right , he can even find himself near to mascherano in the heart of the midfield to take over when riquelme slows down a bit. zanetti, sorin can push forward when needed in the wings
conclusively, i think great teams are made for great events and argentina will raise to the occasion in june. m not worrying for argentina rather m worrying for our opponents. again watch out

Posted from  Rwanda

Let me tell you this, if Argentina make it out of the group, especially if they hit good form at the end, they have a good change of winning the world cup.

It is sometimes about momentum and Aregentina after Brazil have the most talented team on paper.

Aimar and Riquelme are world class midfielders and Crespo is in great form in the national squad. Messi can be brilliant as well.

The fact that it is a tough group makes it harder but will automatically give them more confidence and momentum.

Posted from  Germany

I’ve recently seen the article about Pekerman selecting 95% of the squad and i’ve got mixed reactions.

The goalkeeping slot is open and he hasnt a particular favourite sso theirs no need to assume pato will be our NO.1.

Secondly the article says the definite going to the world cup and amongst then was scaloni. WTF IS GOING ON. How can you take that out of form carthorse over Gonzalo Rodriguez and arrubbarena. DROP HIM.

Another thing mentioned was that Ponzio and Zanetti are fighting over the last right back slot. How on earth can you drop zanetti, one of the finest right back argentina have ever had.
IF ITS CARTHORSES HE WANTS,
PEKERMAN MIGHT AS WELL TAKE VERON AND ALMEYDA WITH HIM….

Posted from  United Kingdom

I’m being a little harsh on Scaloni. Just that his performances this season has been frustating and it just angers me at how does he warrant a place in the squad when their are others who are desperate to get into the squad.

Maybe im getting a little ahead of myself and should be more worried about the starting 11 and the formation going to be used.

Heres te link for everyone to see and discuss:

http://www.soccer365.com/US_NEWS/South_America/page_183_116289.shtml

Posted from  United Kingdom

These are almost certain:

Goalie: Pato, Lux, Franco

Defense:
Zanetti, Samuel, Ayala, Sorin,
Colocchini, Milito, Heinze

Midfield:
Cambiasso, Lucho, Riquelme, Aimar, Demichelis, Mascherano

Attack:
Tevez, Messi, Crespo, Milito

That leaves 3 spots:
I wouldn’t mind seeing
Insua, D’Alessandro, Veron, or Julio Cruz, or Palacio added.

The final 3 will probably be:
Saviola, Burdisso & D’Alessandro

Well when you have a carthorse as a coach, what do you expect? Seriously now, Zanetti is a world class RB and no way in hell would he be dropped. It is ridiculous to suggest that he won’t make the squad.

Jonathan are you sure Messi is in the squad? I no it sounds absurd not to take him, but Peckerman doesn’t seem to want him.

Saviola needs to be in there. I’d take Veron but he is REALLY out of favor. Plus Sorin and Veron aren’t on great terms.

Posted from  Germany

pugnate are you kidding me?? pekerman loves messi and he is taking him for sure. messi scored and got an assist against croatia. furthermore, he is dominating in the champions league. well, at least he was until he got injured. i do agree with zanetti is a must!

Posted from  United States

I don’t know man, I read at a few places that Pekerman didn’t want to include Messi in his plans but was forced to.

He has his own comfort players and doesn’t want to play outside of them.

The article could have been wrong though.

Posted from  Germany

There are a few players I’d hate to see in Argentina. Delgado and Lucho Gonzalez both suck, there are so many good players being left out that I wouldn’t understand if Pekerman calls those two. Solari and Kily are doing great in Inter even if they’re substitutes. I even prefer la brujita Veron to Lucho Gonzalez…!!! Por favor..!!

And Delgado plays in Mexico, please, how can you call him instead of any of the other great strikers playing in Europe against real teams…el chelo es un muerto, no tiene nada que hacer…

And I’m glad to read that Zanetti (probably one of the best argentine players ever) has impressed Pekerman against Villarreal. If Pupi were to be left out of the team then I’ll go for Italy instead…

Posted from  United States

I personally don’t care who Pekerman takes (even Sensini if he wants!). As long as Messi,Aguero,D’Alessandro,
Carlitos,Crespo,Aimar,Riquelme and Saviola are there it’s gonna be alright.

However,I would really buckle if players such as Cavenaghi,Bilos,Palacio,Insua or Oberman were also given the chance as well.

One thing I’m sure of is Crespo is without a doubt the number out and out striker at the moment, so he picks himself, other than that “Los Albicelestes” don’t really have the depth up front.

Although Tevez and Messi are very gifted, they are not really pure strikers and to me they are more like what Caniggia was to the national team,a playmakering forward rather than an out and out striker.

That being said to me Cavenaghi seems to have gone all but pear shaped in Russia. But, let’s not forget one thing, it’s not everyday you get compared to the great Batistuta if you can’t play and just like Riquelme has proven with his time at Barca, I definitely take with me Fernando as a decent back up for Crespo even though Galletti and others might be in a more favourable position.

Posted from  Australia

Hi,

I think some real class players are being over-looked from the Argentina Squad.
Please can someone tell me if i am dreaming or WHAT?
Veron and Aimar have consistently played very well all season for Inter and Valencia, and have been so far over looked from the current squad.

Also i still beleive we need some natural width in the team. Although i think Sorin is a good player, i think we need other alternatives in the squad. Kily Gonzalez and Solari who are both 30 are still doing well for Inter and MUST be considered for the squad.

Where is TEVEZ?????

I hope Pekerman knows what he is doing, becuase if you have a look at all the other squads they have a blend of youth and expereince. Just look at France, Brazil, Czech Republuic!!!! they all have players 30+

tell me what you think?

Posted from  United Kingdom

I Believe its between Palacio & Cruz… Argentina just needs to score goals, and they didn’t in the past world cup… if u notice Every game Argentina loses, its on the counter Attacks. Look at the game statistics. Argentina smashes the team on posession… Thank God Mascherano is back. Remember in 94, Argentina vs Greece, 4-0 was the score. If the team go out as hungry as they did then, God pray for Brasil because Argentina here we come… We’ve got the team to win it, but will the team have ‘huevos’, to take it? What ever the Team, lets hope Pekerman chooses confindently and is determined to make Us Happy again… VAMOS!!!!!

Posted from  Australia