Reactions from Today’s FIFA Ruling

He didn’t get much playing time in Liverpool, hopefully if he moves to Spain he’ll get some more playing time and it will suit him more.

Christian — john is a troll. Always will be, always has been.

Posted from  United States

From now on just ignore the idiots that keep coming here who purport to be ‘interested followers of Argentine football’. There is nothing we can do about it . Freedom of speech has its limitations.

Its not just the top flight clubs in the EPL who are looking at Argentina for talented players but those further down the pyramid.

My own club Watford took Santiago Aloi from the River youth ranks last season & then promptly left him in the reserves deeming him too small to be of use in the more physical tier two of English football , the Championship.

Emmanuel Villa is plying his trade at Derby & should be a hit this season & most recently Leeds United who have a tie up with San Lorenzo in the pipeline for exchanging young players (Leeds academy has produced the likes of Carson, Lennon, Robinson & others who have been pinched by Premiership clubs) for mutual benefit have signed Luciano Becchio a product of the Boca youth system who was the Segunda Bs top scorer last term.

Scouts from a whole variety of clubs are present during the Apertura & Clausura & whilst the cream of the crop will end up at the colossi of European football it may well be that clubs looking for a player of good talent at a relatively cheap price will also be on the lookout.

And of course the economic situation in Argentina means these clubs can offer far more lucrative terms.

Chau.

glad that barca saw the light and let messi go to the olympics (kind of I guess)…..

I for one think that this rule about bringing three over-aged players is non-sense. the olympics should be for the new generation and not those who simply want to add a medal to their collection.

Aurelius, is that a good thing, too my mind it’s a talent drainage, clubs coming in and picking off all the talent, there have to be some sort of rules put in place, loan deals are ok, but the selling off of young players should be a no-no.

yes, it’s a drain on talent no doubt about it but if you were a young player how would you feel about legalized lower prospects? a player’s career is relatively short, a decade or so and once they are done they are indeed done. we see that messi and robinho for instance both wanted to play for their national teams in the olympics but with the huge investments made by the teams it follows that they will move to protect their investments so it’s a tough situation to balance.

AURELIUS,
Since 2005, each comment from you has been interesting & useful. You are one of the few here who should always be able to talk about every kind of topic and not only futbol. Thanks for sharing your culture with us.

The post of the month made me laugh a lot and comes from you ALBO: “Looks like Kenny-Boy decided to take all of his friends for a walk today”.

I apologize for these off topic words.

Argentina are soon going to start their first game against Ivory Coast in few days. I wonder if our team will confirm its value and perfectly handle the pressure like Bielsa’s seleccion did in 2004. I’m sure it will. I’m beginning to be excited about the tournament!

With the players Batista has called, I would do this (no choice except 4-2-2-2):

WITH THE BALL:

———–Ustari————
——-Burdisso–Fazio——-
Zabaleta—Mascherano—Garay
————Gago————-
Messi—–Riquelme–Buonanotte
———–Aguero————

WITHOUT THE BALL:

————Ustari———–
Zabaleta-Burdisso-Fazio-Garay
Messi–Mascherano-Gago-Buona-
———-Riquelme———–
———–Aguero————

The right flank of this team should play together until 2010.

VAMOS ARGENTINA.

Aimar is playing for Benfica, they are 2-0 up, here’s the link:

http://www.justin.tv/speedyyytv

also Man Utd are playing Peterborough, Tevez is playing, here’s the link:

http://www.justin.tv/live24

It’s halftime in Benfica’s match.

Christian, no doubt about it.
The way Ortega is leaving River is plain sad. For all argy football lovers.
He was special on the pitch, even for Boca fans, and you know that.
Burrito Ortega was the greatest example of Argy football from the projects (potrero).
It hurts to all of us to see this happening.
Saludos

Posted from  United States

Guys, some of the Argentina games will also be streaming live on nbcolympics.com and the rest on Telemundo.

Possible lineup against Cote d’Ivore

——————Ustari—————
Zabaleta Garay Pareja Monzón
———Gago —Mascherano——
———Messi—— Riquelme——
———Agüero— Lavezzi———

Posted from  United States

That’s pretty much the line-up Batista was talking about playing.

Thanks Maxi mon compagnon d’armes.

Alexa Rune ought to be careful he might encounter John in Norway.Three Billy Goats Gruff and all that.

I like many first saw Ortega play in 1994 when he was asked to fill the boots that cannot be filled those of Diegol.

However watching him against Romania one could not fail to see why the comparison was being drawn. Incredible dribbling & close control & strength to shake off larger opponents and the ability to see a pass allied with a very accurate shot.

I guess he will be remembered for the so called ‘head-butt’ against Holland in 98 but I remember him setting up several decent chances & hitting the post with a beaten de Sar from some thirty yards out on the left.

And in Europe he alwasy played the part of conductor in his side whether it was at Valencia & Parma setting up numerous goals.

Its a real pity that alcoholism overshadowed his career but hopefully will be a lesson learnt by our youngsters.

Had he kept on the straight and narrow I am sure he would have been present even at the last WC.

daystar it is worrying & even the talent factories in Argentina & less so Brazil due to its far higher population cannot surely keep on going at the rate required.

But there is no law to stop it. Most of the Argentines & Brazilians can come in on EU passports or a KOLPAK arrangement. The latter is being tightenend up soon I believe. But for these players (not those at the top range who earn more in a year than most people earn in a lifetime & that includes well paid professions ie hospital consultants) this is a genuine chance to settle their families on a financial basis.

What is worrying are the unscrupulous underhand agents who bring in kids from Brazil or Africa who have talent then when they do not make it (for a number of reasons) are left to fend for themselves.

And many players careers take a U-turn going when they have not matured physically & mentally for the challenge (something Tim Vickery has often complained about).

But there are no laws at present governing player movements. This is the reason why clubs like Ajax ie South Africa Real Madrid oddly in Bali of all places are setting up soccer schools.

Not out of the goodness of their hearts. No club is altruistic in its motives. Everyone is desperate to find the next Leo Messi or Dinho & earn fortunes on the back of it thorugh winning cups ,leagues but mainly via merchandising & sponsorship.

Those that dont make it are discarded like chaff from the grain. Scouts are venturing all over the globe. Club databases for example Internazionale cover junior leagues from all over the world & progress reports are kept on each potential star.

Its sad in a way that kids are not enjoying the game.Often there are pushy parents in the background dreaming of riches but this is football today a global business where the competition for resources is cutthroat & the tiniest advantage will be taken.

Regarding the line up I’d play di Maria out left 4-2-3-1 rather than ‘young’ Buonnanotte. We’ll get genuine width out there allowing Kun more space to come out into the channel or drop deep & run at the defence with JRR in the box when required.

Garay & Fazio at the back should handle anyone. Monzon is as good a candidate for the LB berth. Fine prospect. Throw in Ansaldi ,Insua even Escudero its starting to look rosy for 2010 regarding this formerly troubling spot.

Chau compadres.

I always liked how Ortega played. Him and Marcelo Gallardo, great players with many personal demons, but a pleasure to watch.

Aurelius - you’re so funny.

My question is — why do you guys think the Olympic team is so full of little bull Messi types, and not a classic tall number 9, like Higuain? I’m not sure if Lavezzi would ever make the NT, only because the competition for his spot is so absolutely fierce.

I’m looking forward to seeing how garay plays.

Posted from  United States

Alexa I think Higuaín is an alternative but I doubt he’s going to make a big difference jumping against 2 tall CBs.
Short fast passes, the ball on the ground, might be the way to beat them.

Posted from  United States

I don’t know if you’ve seen Buonanotte, but he’s the smallest of them all.
Amazing control and speed, though. Lot’s of fun to watch.

Posted from  United States

Players who have a low centre of gravity, great dribbling skills and a lot of pace plus good movement, can trouble any defence, and since we play the passing game, where we pass our way though the opposition ’s defence, these attributes are more useful.
Look at our under 20 team, the attacking players were all short, they just passed there way through the opposition, no matter how tall.

I feel sad when i see the way things are going, everywhere you look there’s exploitation, lives being ruined for the sake of greed. Now, even sports are going the same way.

Sports though, are still able to gather people from all parts of earth and spend a few days competing in peace (provided nothing wrong happens).
So here’s to safe Olympic Games, the most unique way of bringing people together, maybe alongside with music.

Posted from  United States

I hate to play devil’s advocate, but Ortega going to a country where alcohol is taboo and is frowned upon by the locals (atleast publicly). I just hope it works out as they really frown on drinking if over done in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. And Al-Ain is a tiny little city, just so much potential for trouble as there really is nothing to do there. I truly hope it works out for Ortega. He seems to typify the ‘lost’ generation of Argentina - Veron, Ayala, Zanetti, Aimar, etc… - sublime talent but for whatever reason, never strung it together for the NT in the Copa/WC.

So looks like my namesake is still pretty much a pain in the@$$ around here. Something’s don’t ever change. So why should we bother to entertain them in the first place, especially when there is more important things to discuss.

Now Christian, let me tell that in Malaysia, the No.1 Ortega fan is non other than me! Yes and I’m proud of it. I feel sad for him that he wasn’t unable to reveal his true potential wherever he went.

He was in Valencia for a season. Then went to Sampdoria, subsequently they got relegated. A big move to Parma but nothing much there as well. Finally back to River. Then to Turkey (I’m not sure which club)…..so on so on……

I did expect him to shine at 2002 WC but we all know what happened then. Anyway considering his age, I supposed it is good idea for him to go there. I’m sure the money is good.

So we are just a couple of days left. Man!!! I can feel as if it is still a long way.

Just for your info, I’ll be putting up A Match Thread article on my blog for every game. Hope to see you guys commenting and sharing your thoughts as the match progresses.

Posted from  Malaysia

can someone please confirm what is happening with messi??? has he gone back to barcelona. or will he play against ivory coast???