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Thoughts from Leipzig

June 26th, 2006 | By: JP | 41 Comments »

It’s interesting the way sometimes you can feel defeat, victory, or the the certainty of a coming grind. At the stadium in Leipzig, I thought I felt it before the game started when I noticed how the players tore up the field in warm ups (the field ended up playing like a goddamned patch of ice)…but it was really evident when within maybe 70 seconds from the start, Ayala (who is Gibraltar) totally mistimed a header in the small area that, frankly, should have been a goal for Mexico. I think the simple fact was our boys were nervous…The anxiety emanated strongly and Mexico fed off it. Heinze’s total screw up, Riquelme’s off passes, mistimed give & go’s - We were’t the loose squad that pounded the crap out of S&M. The only flashes of that looseness came AFTER the Maxi Miracle - spearheaded by Messi & Tevez. I agree that this debacle happening to us now is potentially a big PLUS. Nobody does nationalism like the Bavarians and the full brunt of it will be directed at the albiceleste in a few days…Having just handled this tricky bitch, Argentina’s nerves might be girded. One thing is clear. There’s no better way to silence Germany than by getting two quick goals. Two quick goals also would have a real ‘loosening’ effect on our players and that’s when the serious football shines forth. Germany can be scored upon, as Wanchope proved. They love to shoot from the outside where Shweinsteiger, Ballack and Podolski excel. That’s also where Mascherano, and Sorin can swarm and where, should they fail, Abbondanzieri is at his best as a keeper. Whomever spoke to Pato before his first WC game (and I’m guessing it had to be a serious shrink) should now be asked perform the same procedure on the whole team. If he’s successful, and Burdisso can replace Scaloni (who’s issues are physical not mental) - then Argentina, the better team, will prevail.

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By Izzy Dillon | June 26th, 2006 at 12:07 pm

Burdisso.

Messi.
Aimar.
Tevez.
Riquelme.
Crespo.

Posted from Sweden

By saswata | June 26th, 2006 at 12:24 pm

what is this Izzy Dillon ?plz specify….whats the meaning with those names?

Posted from India

By chayan | June 26th, 2006 at 12:41 pm

why dont people realize that messi, tevez, saviola, aimar and riqueline cannot be playing at the same time. who is going to play defense then?

we need lucio, cambiasso and maxi because they are mid fielders who can play defense too.

messi, tevez and aimar cant.

Posted from United States

By NK | June 26th, 2006 at 1:20 pm

The style of play from germany is completely different to mexico’s.. I believe there will be more space, and more chances for us to score.. we have beaten Germany more times than they have to us.. and the current defense is fragile although it has improved since the first game against Cuba.

As AURELIUS said “Germany are not superhuman. They have serious frailties at the back.Japan 2-2 Germany Italy 4-1 Germany”.

I think if Argentina play their normal self and maintain possesion throughout the game, they could win it no problem. However, I feel that we need to score first and early in the game to make it easier for us.

We have to beat them for the 1990 fix and I hope Riquelme puts away the winning goal against Lehmann.

Posted from United Kingdom

By mightie | June 26th, 2006 at 1:38 pm

any news on lucho & burdisso?

Posted from United Arab Emirates

By Eu | June 26th, 2006 at 1:43 pm

All,

My biggest concern is Peckerman. On game 1 he made the wrong choice of entering Palacio and Lucho to protect the score rather than Messi and Tevez to augment it and we paid with suffering and calling on the referee to end the game.

Against S&M Peckerman learned the lesson and brought in Messi and Tevez.

On the thrid game, Holland, he wanted to give everybody a chance to play. He should have put in Scaloni then. I cannot understand how we can put Scaloni in in such a decisive game, even if he does not play in the whole tournament.

Worst, he should have taken Riquelme off from the Mexico game. He was not playing well, always going backwards and put Messi and Tevez before than he did. The same happened in the Holland game. Because he does not want to make Riquelme unconfortable then he leaves him in. Give me a break!!

Have you seen Riquelme’s face? He is always the “sufferer,” as he is always constipated. Peckerman, you have Aimar, which can take care of making correct passes. Let’s think about the team, not one individual player with a serious need of a shrink!!

My last point: I think that all of those that were BS against Abbondanzieri have to come out and recognize how wrong they were. It’s just the right thing to do, don’t you think?

Cheers and let’s beat the crap out of the Germans!

Posted from United States

By wamdiego10 | June 26th, 2006 at 1:48 pm

omar:
You have to know that Roberto Ayala ’s reaction against Marquez happened because Marquez had made the first foul on him on this action. Marquez pushed ayala, ayala could’not defend any more so he had the reflex to catch Marquez’s face in order to give him back the foul, the referee had understood this, that’s why he did not signaled a foul.

Tevez had a very good perfomance, his football is not old, I don’t know how you can measure the age of his football which one of the most spectacular today

Posted from France

By wamdiego10 | June 26th, 2006 at 1:58 pm

Yeah,
I think the game against holland left too much “injuries” because it was just 3 days before…
That’s why pekermann should have thrown Scaloni instead of burdisso against holland, Then burdisso would have played against mexico. He could have rest our midfielders too, our midfiel looked a bit tired against Mexico, that’s why that game has been more tough:
Scaloni’s bad performance and tired midfielders, moreover Saviola and “Di Crespo” missed 2 one on one against the keeper, a goal by Messi from Aimar at the 90th minute has been refused by the referee: BIG Mistake.

So I think we should not need a overtime against Germany because all the previous problems will be solved.

Vamos ARGENTINA

Posted from France

By argiebargie | June 26th, 2006 at 2:00 pm

I thought we would struggle against the mexicans but I didnt believe it would go into extra time. Heinze was lucky but if you going to win somethimes you need luck on your side.

We was not as fluent-Cambiasso , Riquelme Saviola didnt have the best of games but its ok.

Maxi Rodriguez, Mascherano , Sorin, Ayala were the pick of the team. Always kept going. Maxis goal was special.

Now we come to the weakest player that played on the pitch. That accolade falls to SCALONI.
This man is a joke and hopefully thats the last we see of him In the rest of the games.

PEKERMAN DROP SCALONI. THIS IS THE SORT OF PERFORMANCE I HAVE BEEN SEEING FROM HIM IN THE PREMIERSHIP. HE’S SLOW, HACKS AT PEOPLE AND VERY EASY FOR WINGERS TO BEAT. EVERYONE IN THE WORLD NOW KNOW WHAT A CARTHORSE HE REALLY IS!!

Very adventurous from Pekerman in the last half hour of the game. Tevez,Messi,Aimar, Riquelme,Maxi on the pitch at the same time. This could have backfired as we had become weak in midfield.

He shouldnt take that option again now. Lucho is almost back now and offers more support for Riqulme.

Has everyone realised this - Every player in the squad has now played in the world cup apart from the goalies Ustari and Franco. Pekerman is trying to make them all feel involved and hasnt just chosen from 14 or 15 players.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Rune | June 26th, 2006 at 2:05 pm

First of all: I am very happy with the result against Mexico. A big thank you to Maxi, what a goal!!!!I am so glad we won in the end.
The match went just as I had said before it started. You will find on this blog that 3-4 days ago I predicted that Argentina would win 2-1. The game was no surprise to me. We always struggle against Mexico.
But…Scaloni…I think we should gather some money and pay someone to kill him. What a terrible player he is!
This man must never ever play for us again!!!
I am also surprised by Sorin`s bad game. Mexico`s right winger, Castro, got passed Sorin on so many occations. Sorin has only one really weak spot and we got to see it here: he is too slow. Against Bernd Schneider, this could really be a problem. On the other side the germans have Lahm and Schweinsteiger and they are very fast too. Let us pray Burdisso gets fit in time. Even though he is maybe not good enough, he is better than Coloccini and the fuck up Scaloni. God, I wish Zanetti was there…
Saviola and Crespo(even if he got the Borgetti goal) had a bad game. The chances they missed were terrible. I think Pekerman should drop Saviola and start with Crespo and Tevez or Messi. Messi looked very good and we must use him more!! But we all know that Pekerman will not do that. He will start with Saviola again.
I am very sad to say this, but I just can`t see this Argie team beating this German team. The Germans look very strong. Lots of young and speedy players. They do however have a weak spot in defense, and if we score the first goal anything can happen. This young German team has not been put under real pressure so far. It will be very interessting to see how they will react if they`re a goal down and the crowd starts to lose their patience….But after the game against Mexico I have a bad feeling….

Posted from Norway

By maxilopez | June 26th, 2006 at 2:20 pm

Everything has been said here, just few things to add.

I’m pessimistic too. As I said before, Germany will be 13 on the field. I’m sure the referee will give few bookings during the game (because of the dramatic PORTUGAL-NETHERLANDS). But Gabi Heinze will have to be attentive and Ayala at its best, just like as usual. We won’t be able to make some mistakes, otherwise it will be red cards immediately.

MOTHERFUCKER BLATTER WANTS A GERMANY-BRAZIL FINAL. WE MUST BE AT 200% OF OUR POTENTIAL! I’m French, I can tell you that during the first round, referees helped Switzerland like angels. France was almost eliminated because of the referees. At each game, everything was against them. If you didn’t see the matches on TV, please trust me, because I don’t support the French team. I’m completely neutral. Everything will be against Argentina. We must not talk on the field, we must play and beat ALL our opponents.

A positive thing: our team is composed of “rabbits”. Our speed with Tevez, Messi, Aimar or Saviola could be very dangerous for these inexperienced German giants (Central defenders).

Germany hasn’t faced a big team yet. Here it comes. Argentina, the country of Football. Our team isn’t Sweden, Poland, Ecuador or Costa Rica. Germans will be nervous too.

We must play with the Argentine style. Immediately. Short passes and get these guys mad. Being collective is so much important, and having played like we did against Mexico will put our team in the right direction.

Another positive point! Its the very first Attacking-Germany of the history! We will have space. There is something to do and goals to strike. There will surely be lots of goals. 3-2 for Argentina? Lets pray…

Very bad point: Germans are the most physical team of the tournament. This is scary. With the fucking crowd, they are just like Terminators that never stop running and pressing.

Our midfielders must press too, and really try to catch the ball! I hope Cambiasso won’t take his camera… If we wait the Germans and always get back, we’ll lose.

And guys, if Scaloni plays, we are already dead. We could go home now if it was the case…

Posted from France

By iaj | June 26th, 2006 at 2:27 pm

I think the team against Germany
should be:
Pato
Burdisso Ayala Heinze Sorin
Masche
Maxi Lucho Riquelme
Tevez Crespo

If Burdisso & Lucho not fit, then Colocini & Cambiasso.
what do u think?

Posted from Bangladesh

By omar | June 26th, 2006 at 2:39 pm

wamdiego10 ,
thanks anyway for your notice, but as i have seen a resumé and the analyse of the match on M6 TV 100% foot, they didn’t show the action of Marquiz, that’s why i’m telling that, but Ayala shoudn’t do some stupid reaction what ever the action of his opponent,
yes i can measur the age of football, we don’t unuseful spectacls, i see that Tevez playing to show himself , he doesn’t play to the team, yes in any team we need players who have skills of dribbling and holding the ball, but tevez playing for spectalcls , every time he gets the ball he wants to make dribbling, we need 1 - 2 passes fast and agrissive,
if we like or we don’t like, once again look at portogal team , every body doing his job perfectly, no differnce between the 23 players in portogal team, what a team and what a great coach,
we need fast players, we need active players, Tevez as a striker he should alwyas look at the goal, go a head to the goal, not giving the ball back with weasting time in useless dribbling, yes his style is very old, Messi skills are differnt because he has much better ball control and very useful movements. i would alwyas prefer Saviola in the team , because simply he looks to the goal when he gets the ball , and he runs forward, and he gives the ball to the better position teammatt,
u see now what i mean by old football ! ! !?

Posted from France

By DM | June 26th, 2006 at 3:40 pm

Lucho should NOT play. he was rubbish in both games he played, and thankfully was subbed off injured against S&M. Pekerman will start with the same team as he did against mexico, because, anyway you look at it, saviola combines better with the midfield than anyone else. when u watch a game on telly, you don’t see his running off the ball, which is what makes him so dangerous.
Tevez and messi are high impact players, and as seen against mexico are perfect for running at tired defenders.
I think argentina needs to get first touch of the football: call me strange, but mexico touched off first and absolutely battered our team in the first five mins. They need to settle down and then start building.
Mascherano needs to be on top form to deal with ballack. the pundits in england love mascherano, they reckon he is the new makelele! We also need to attack their 2 fullbacks with through passes and strong running off defenders.
But the most heartening of this campaign thing is that argentina are able to deal with various threats: physical ivorians, skillful mexicans and ‘famours four’ defenders of serbia. We have dealt with going a goal behind and also hanging on to a 1 goal advantage. There was no panic after marquez scored. The team must have confidence and belief that they can overcome whatever german obstacles come their way. 8 years ago they pipped england on penalties in the last 16, but had only 3 days rest before a quarter final with holland. This time we have a full 5 days and that will be crucial.

Posted from United Kingdom

By maxilopez | June 26th, 2006 at 3:44 pm

Lucho is a good player but it’s obvious there is a problem with argentine shoes!

He got injured because he slapped during SM match.

So stupid!

Posted from France

By pancho | June 26th, 2006 at 3:56 pm

Up till now I have liked what I’ve seen. sure we had a bit of a let down in the Mex. game (our passes weren’t as crisp but we still created chances and I doubt that heinze will make similar mistakes against germany. I like what pekerman is doing with messi tevez and aimar- heat appears to trouble alot of teams (just look at becks) so bring on our more mobile players 65-75 minute when their defences are a little more fatigued. riq. style is very suited to the heat as his work rate is less and he can still produce magic in the latter stages. crespo has been great being the opportunistic striker that he is and wants to prove to the world he’s still one of the best. savi and riq link up well, I wonder how a crespo, cruz would do against tall german defenses? not enough speed or movement, too similar maybe. Last note- mexico is an underrated team they always bring it against S.A. teams and if england would have had to play them instead of ecu. the boys in becks & co would be going home. mex played great and we have to give them that.

We do have to play better against ger though

riquelme will score from a corner in this tournament, he’s been close twice.

Posted from Canada

By wamdiego10 | June 26th, 2006 at 4:10 pm

Hi MAXI lopez (I prefer MAXI R., sorry )
You know, it’s right, there is a problem when our players slip after a lethal dribble. It’s because of the PITCH. Shit pitch, it often happens to our players because they often dribble well, in fact we lack 2 goals because of that. AIMAR swiped after erasing the Mexican defence (on the left, in the box) else he would have made an assist.
Tevez slapped in the front of the goal keeper instead of making the 3-1.
And it happened for the defenders too… So I don’t know in fact but I think mexicans slapped too ? Anyway I hope it’ll stop because you waste a lot of energy while slipping.

I would not release Lucho Gonzalez, he did not play enough, he did not play well when he played, and Cambiasso or Maxi R are too good to be on the bench. I would keep on the substitutions of the strikers in second half: Start with Saviola then Tevez in the early second half, Messi for MAXI R or cambiasso.
Of course, I hope Scaloni will not play again, I want Burdisso or coloccini who is much better that this shame Scaloni.

Thank you Abondanzierri

Posted from France

By zee | June 26th, 2006 at 4:28 pm

iaj:
good to see someone from bnagladesh in this forum, i am too living in US now. I think Saviola is a sure starter not Tevez, b/c of his chemistry w/ Riquelme. Don’t be surprised to see Cruz also alongside Crespo with Lucho right behind, all three are tall and match the Germans physical advantage.

Posted from United States

By wamdiego10 | June 26th, 2006 at 4:46 pm

ZEE
You’re wrong by putting tall players because germans are tall… it’s not basketball here it’s football. While they are taller, we are faster…
Just think man !

Posted from France

By javier | June 26th, 2006 at 11:20 pm

to all u perkerman aters…the man is a genious….why didnt he bring zanetti and samuel..duh theyre stars pekerman knew they wouldnt really playu and he didnt want them pouting in the sideling like khan fro germany…. anyways im not as worried for the german game liek iw as for mexico..mexico has a team build it seems like to beat us…germany strugled vs poland and the ticos and only beat ecuador so bad cause ecuador rested their stars and then they beat sweeden..big deal sweeden tied trinida and tabago…scored one goal int he last second vs paraguay and tied england when engalnd already qualified..i love it germans think theyre so good theyre gonna underestimate arg..i predict arg wins by at least 2 goals and the german crowd will be out of it right away …..and all u riquleme haters u are blind and know nothgin of futbol….riquelme coudl of won the game by himself..he put two goal passes…he almost scored an olimpic goal..and the reason he reatreated so much u idiots is when aimar came in riqulme sacrifieced and played defence waht great heeart he had he truly won me over

Posted from United States

By maxilopez | June 27th, 2006 at 1:00 am

Javier, lots of people love Riquelme here (i’m included).

Stop insulting them.

Posted from France

By javier | June 27th, 2006 at 1:55 am

yeah thas why i said to all u riquleme haters…lol not everyone…..anyways im disapointed by all the argentinos who are critizizing their team after such a hughe win……im so happy so far i cant stop smiling what agreat shot by maxi he will now be part of argentina galore and be in tons of songs i bet specially if we wint it all….ole ole ole oleeeee maxiii maxiiii…..

Posted from United States

By mani | June 27th, 2006 at 5:45 am

I have never seen a player like riquelme, who is able control the tempo of the game with such finnese. Its not thet he is napping. Its important to take charge and see all over pitch for opening. No other players in argentina team can do that. The goal saviola scored against ivory coast came from the calm and visionary brilliance of the man, RIQUELME.

Posted from Malaysia