Tomorrow. 1 month ago

Justice- I see you’re still locked up in your basement.

So I picked up a magazine,el Grafico, that had some interesting information about Pekerman and the WC. I’m not sure how reliable it is, since it was not an interview, but here are some details,

……Pekerman feels that he has nothing to regret in the WC. He feels that had he had more time as NT coach, they would have been chamions. He only had 1 year and 10 months, compared to 4 years

……..He would have and was going to have Messi start, until his injury. Then Saviola was performing so well, that el conejito effectivly won the position. Pekerman was not happy with Messi’s play against Holland, and really annoyed with how he played against Mexico, as he was with Tevez and Aimar, because he thought they played to individualistically and not for the team. The mag also states that Pekerman was annoyed with the outside influences (i guess adidas type influences) that were pressuring him to play Messi, and he almost went the other extreme not to show he wouldn’t bow down to that kind of pressure.

……….the mag states tha Pekerman was really angry with certain players of the team after the WC because he wanted them all to return to Argentina as a team for the fans and what not, he asked Sorin as captain to communicate this to the players, but they didn’t want to. The European plays stayed in Europe, etc. 11 players did return, including some euro based players like Riquelme, Heinze, Cambiasso. —-I don;t really blaim the players personally. They must have been exhausted, and they have a very short rest period before the season started, I’m sure they just wanted to go home, which for them now is in Europe. But, anyway, the mag says Pekerman was angry at this lack of cohesion.

……..The mag says Pekerman did not like Maradona’s visits to the locker room because it took the spotlight away from the players, and probably because it distracted from his role as team leader.

………The relationship between Pekerman and Grondona et al was fine, but he knew that it would not work out for the next four years. He always asked — why haven’t we won the big competitions, when we win every you competetion….

this is a good question, I personally think it is because the team is just physically small compared to other teams this day and age. Their skills are pretty peerless, but they are roughhoused more in the major competetions. I also truly believe that FIFA hates Argentina, and will always give them the hardest possible path.

Anyway, Pekerman’s idea for the national team was to follow the model for the youth teams, have mostly arg. based team members who practiced consitently together, a few times a month(!). He knew this would nopt fly in this day and age.

Anyway, this I got from El Grafico, arg. mag. For what it is worth.

Posted from  United States

Interesting article Alexa. I am not too sure what to make of it though. Peckerman seems to have been contradicting himself a bit there if he wanted to follow the model for the youth team knowing fully well that such a model would not fly in this day and age…

Also, while one may agree with his assessement that Messi, Tevez and Aimar offer a more individualistic type of play, it does not stand to reason that their contribution would not have made a difference in the last 15 minutes againt Germany.

Well, no use crying over spilled milk as they say…but personally, I do regret JP’s tactics.

Anyhow, looking to the future, I hope that our coach does make the optimum use of our players, and is not dictated by outside pressure -either by succumbing to it or going to the other extreme of deliberately leaving a good player simply to prove his independence.

Posted from  Australia

Thank you very much Alexa. These are pieces of information i wanted to learn of for a long time. Pekerman seems a honest guy.

I’m kind of worried about something. Basile has accepted what Pekerman has refused: the list order of these Russian fools. Weird.

Does this smells tricky games? Maybe.

Posted from  France

(Diarra is definitely on his way to Real Madrid. Not Gago )

Posted from  France

Thanks ALexa for this information. I dont like what I hear about Adidas like Nike with Brazil trying to influence player selection.

I do disagree with JP on Tevez Aimar & Messi being indiviuals. Tevez work during the QF was entirely unselfish & these three link up very well(witness match v Angola & Mexico late on)

As for the NT struggling to lack of physical size this is a poor excuse. With the new regulations skilful players ought to prosper far more. The teams average size is comparable to others & many of our players esp.the defenders like Heinze or Rodriguez can inflict punishment on the opposition.

This time it was the tactics that let us down.Good news for Gago maxilopez hopefully this signals a move to Atletico.Maxi Rodriguez has insisted despite Inters attentions he will stay with Aguirre to push the team forward.And why not ? Theyhave Torres Aguero Kezman Mista upfront & Galletti behind & proven internationals at the back in Lopez.

And so the River circus continues. Another kid is on the verge of leaving.This could make or break this kid. If he goes to Chelsea thennhe will face a hard time getting competitive football & will no doubt end up on loan.

Its best like other kids he stays at home & develops fully mentally before making this jump & learn from Passarella himself. He has time on his side so I cannot see what the rush is. Sadly the financial lure may be too great.

Albo re your plans.They are unworkable. I only agree that the top divisions in each nation be limited to 16 clubs.

Problem esp.in Europe is that clubs will still play more friendlies as revenue raisers so players wont benefit in terms of rest.

Secondly who would fund the cost of travel of many of the poorer associations.I cannot see for instance Nepal travelling round to Burkina Faso for a game.

The system at present is fine. Perhaps Europe could lose 2 more places & 1 more sent to Asia & Africa.

The ranking system needs scrapping though.Its not comparable to other sports ie rugby.Here nations do play proper tests against each other right across the globe.In football this only happens during the world cup as a competitive game & if you want inc.the Confed.Cup.Otherwise its all intracontinental.

Hence the disparities in ranking.S.America Europe & Africa are the toughest areas in terms of football competitiveness yet you look at CONACAF or Oceania certain teams here ie Australia beat Samoa 20-0 Mexico thump Turks & Caicos 14-1 are unbeatable so maintain an artificially higher ranking.

Frankly the system isnt worth tuppence & is meaningless like Blatter. I do agree with JP over 1 thing.I do think Argentina because of its pysche & the fierce independence of will are not liked much by the bureaucrats in FIFA.

Posted from  United States

Yes, for the physical point, look at Arsenal (UK). Except Henry, yhey are all little rabbits that destroy their opponents. Like Argentina should have done.

(I was thinking that Saviola could join Wenger if Reyes leaves for Real)

Aurelius, who was the coach of the River-Dream-Team composed by Crespo, Saviola, Aimar, Placente, Yepes and all the other great players, in the 90’s? Who was the president at that time? What a fantastic team River had..
Thanks.

Posted from  France

The coach & assistant were former River greats Passarella & Gallego before they moved onto the NT as La maquinita (the little machine) dominated with this team.Dont forget little Sergio Berti .

Wonder if Belluschi will also be sold this season.Buonanotte is in Columbia with the u17 alongside Oliva.

Posted from  United States

Once again we are treated to a bunch of rubbish about Italy. It’s become tiresome to read comments from Maxilopez, Julian and Sandrahn etc. (disguising as non-partisan) about the alleged negative tactics of Italy. Using improper words like ‘values’ and ‘artful’. Ironically, Italy is the most artistic society in world history. And there is a certain under stated flair to their game. But they match it with Roman ruthlessness – the part everyone chooses to see. To me, there is a wide sophsitication in the Italian game that goes over the head of many. You lost and let it go. You get all these turds babbling about Gentile in 1982. Spare me because we can do the same for any team. As IF ARGENTINA DID NOT PLAY DISGRACEFULLY IN THE PAST. And if you don’t believe me consult a soccer history book. Remember Simeone? He was pretty nasty. They were also beyond paranoid in 1990. Same with Brazil. How about Leonardo in 1994? Rivaldo? Brazil too has played negative when they wanted to. As if they weren’t lucky in ‘94, ‘98 and ‘02. I still believe Spain or Italy could have taken them in 2002 had it not been for the officiating. Everyone has injustices against them. Poor Brazil – a superb soccer nation like Argentina – so ‘artful’ and ‘misunderstood.’ Last I checked you don’t win for looking pretty. You win by scoring more goals. I agree with you LOL-I-POP what a bunch of selective nonsense. While I would have loved to see Argentina the bottom line is they lost. I hear the same logic in hockey all the time. Canada is to hockey as Italy is allegedly to soccer. We apprently play an ugly brand of hockey. Yet,we win and we often have the most depth with the best coaching. Canada wins in hockey because they know how to play. Just like Italy. The Europeans – who play awesome hockey – complain about our style but it’s all hollow. What an injustice to the world! Canada wins in hockey and Italy in soccer! Boo-hoo-hoo! Please. As for the Italians playing defensively once again people chose to see what they wanted to see. That’s why they are not soccer experts. Lippi – who was not only the bets coach he was the superiour coach who understood his players better than any coach did theirs – had the defensive flanks pushing (Zambrotta and Grosso) all the time. He had as many as 4 attacking players in some games as he did against Germany in the latter stages. Since when did Italy do this? They scored 11 goals from 10 players. THEY WERE THE QUINTESSENTIAL TEAM. No one played LIKE A TEAM EXCEPT GERMANY. So they struggled in parts against France. Big deal. France played its share of cynical soccer but got the job done to reach the finals. In any event, in 2000 Italy outplayed them PLAYING ATTACKING SOCCER WHICH IS WHY THEY LOST. You may choose to ignore all this but don’t come here and spill your hopelessly whining crap to guys who truly know. Italians play more offensively now and Donadoni will continue this. Serie A has socred more goals on a per game basis than Spain or England the last three years. It’s just that that don’t play offensively for the sake of it to please hypocritical fans. The point is to win and Italians know how to win. Stop attacking them and forcing them to defend their victory. THey richly deserved the win. Personally, I could care less who won but it annoys me to no end to read these anti-Italian losers. Italy played the overall best quality. They were offensive when they needed to be, brilliantly tactical, strong defensive, cynical when eneed to be, and crafty at the right moments. No country would have been able to beat Germany in Dortmund except Italy. So take your crying elsewhere.Soccer fans can be so dumb. Not one major magazine that I have read (from France, England, Hollland and USA) agree with all these subjective musings. It seems to me a few things went over the heads of apparently astute soccer fans. End of story. Move on. On a side note, anyone catch Gerrard’s dive/trip today against Sheffield? Anyone claiming British soccer is criminal? Of course not, that’s what SOCCER IS. It reminded me of the Grosso tackle and the hysteria that followed it. Happens to everyone at anytime. NO nation holds the monopoly on such things. Forza Azzurri!

Posted from  Canada

You know what else? We talk about values but there is little outrage over FIFA’s disgusting injustice by suspending Materazzi. No one is prepared to indict Zidane for the fool that he truly is. That’s a true breakdown in ‘values’ by FIFA. Especially considering that Zidane and the FF basically lied when they said it was racially motivated. Gallas showed his class after thegame saying as much. YOu should direct your concerns on such matters if you care about the game – not on what Gentille did in ‘82 – as if he’s the only one. Everyone remembers what the Italians do but Schumacher on Battiston is forgotten – as it should. What about what Liebrich did to Puskas in 1954? My point is that holding on to the past to make a point for today is a fools game lest your own team be perfect angels. The way people talk we may as well give the winner to the team who did not necessarily win (this is just an inconvenience) but to the team who looks better. Last I checked soccer is not a game governed by judges like in figure skating or boxing. By this logic, South Americans will alwyas feel they were robbed because in their minds they play the most beautiful soccer and anything they do ugly is somebody else’s fault. Let’s stop playing and give every WC to Argentina and Brazil. Heck, why not Holland while we’re at it. Let’s go back and give Hungary a title in the 1950s. Or Austria in the 1930s. Sports are results driven people.

Posted from  Canada

The most artistic society in history ?

If I know anything its that all European nations have contributed to the arts ,ballet (France Denmark Russia Italy)in music Germany ,Austria, Russia France,Finland etc sculpture Rumania to France & the literary arts.

To say we are the most artistic society in history when most Azzurri fans wouldnt have a clue Luigi Dallapiccola is for instance is a nonsense. Much like your sad rant.

Gentile was an animal on the pitch a cynical mugger .

And as for ice hockey if I recall rightly Alexander the Great dumped you out on your backsides in the QF. And Sweden & Finland contested the gold. NHL teams go for European players because they like the finesse skills they bring both as OFDs & centres.And the amount of tripe I read in hockey as well. Its as if hockey doesnt exist outside of Canada & that players like a Malkin or Ovechkin arent even worth 1/10th of a Gretzky for instance.

And listen here Mr.Historian why dont you give back the 34 title.If you no doubt want to drag up the 78 bribery allegations we all know Mussolini bought the 34 title.

As for us being one eyed your little oration of doubtful value & full of inane rubbish seems oblivious to the occasion of the 2nd round match. Nice dive . And then you go oto accuse France for instance of being cynical.For cynical read the look on Grossos face.

Countless commentators far more qualified in the field of football assertions & knowledge than you tucked away in a dark corner of Toronto no doubt all agree on one indisputable thing. Argentina played the most attractive football while Italy played efficient uninspiring football.They won but they did it with hardly any style much like Greece in 2004.

Your defensive squeals are proof positive that deep down you know this.Amazing you can find the time to read this blog. I dont think anyone of us here have such complexes that force us to throw mud & insults in other countries blogs.

You’re not the best team in the world for all you may claim. On the day you got lucky against Australia & had the German rubbish actually had decent strikers you’d have been long beaten before the 90 minutes were up.

To summarise you are a puerile whelp & a fool.Croatia 1-0 Italy is just the start & may it continue in this way of Donadonis glorious reign.

Crawl back under your stone ASAP.

Posted from  United States

Angry Alex, I hope you really got it all out of your system, so we can all turn the page and move on with “football after WC”.
For what you say, it’s not only some of the members of this forum but the entire world, including FIFA, the show no respect for the champions.
Fortunately, there’s you, to put things in perspective.
However, it’s clear that this crusade you took upon yourself is taking a toll on your health. You seem very unhappy.
Let me give you a little tip that us, south americans use and might just be the solution to your problems.
Stop suffering, start dancing.
Italy are the champions.
You should be celebrating, but your insecurities keep bugging you.
Never mind what people say, take it as pure envy and smile at it.
Act like a true champion.

Posted from  United States

Great post Alex

Another shameful post from AURELIUS (Someones gotta God Complex)

I know your all anxious for more video posts….I will post more shortly.

Posted from  Canada

Alex, i’m OK with you. Please don’t speak instead of me. I never hated Italy. I lived there many years and i like how tactics are used there. You don’t know me so please don’t say i criticized Italy. Read what follows man: I’m French and i supported Italy during WC final! Why? Because France had great attacking players and they played defence including Zidane. Italy revenged Argentina too. Italy didn’t have the choice between attacking or defending except against Germany. I already talked about that man.

Italy NEVER attacked against France, Netherlands and other opponents during EURO 2000. They lost the final because they defended too much! Obviously!

Italy people deserved the Cup. Again, i already posted things on it. They were stolen in 02 and were maybe helped by FIFA in 06. Who knows?

Argentina deserved it too. OK Pekerman did mistakes against these ####### Germans. But I will never forget the work of the referees of this match. Burn in hell Blatter.

Man, stop crying and go party with your friends. Personaly, i’m still devasted of how Argentina were eliminated. What are you complaining for?

Posted from  France

Arg v SM….thought I would post this one to bring back the great memories. After all this was your world cup glory game ….when Argentina believed itself to be invincible after humbling the giants of football SM …..congratulations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwT-9BhcGjM

Regards.

Posted from  Canada

why are we discussing italy here, i couldn’t care less about them and by answering their crazy fans posts, we’re just encouraging them, its just what they want. justice and alex, why are u so bitter, u have the WC guys be happy, you shouldn’t be so worried about what we Argentina fans think, in the greater scheme of things, it does’nt matter, and theres no way you’ll convert us into being Italy believers, so just relax and move on. lol, i think part of what still gets to u guys is that weeks after the WC, the only thing the world really remembers is Zidane, not that u guys won, in which case should’nt u be stalking the France blog??

btw, Alexa, thanks for the article about Pekerman. Its interesting to read his perspective. In the end, though i dont see how anyone can blame any of the players for our loss, it was a major tactical mistake that Pekerman made, and as much as I like the guy, its really just his mistake. I remember how gutted we the fans were, i cant even imagine how badly the players must have felt, so i really cant blame them for wanting to move on and not dwell on in it by returning to Argentina, i dont see that as such a big deal the way he does.

Also, i really dont know much about Fifa politics, but in my outsider opinion, i also get the feeling they don’t like us much, lol. I think our rebelliousness and just general dislike of authority really pisses them off, lol, i think about the number of times Maradona has snubbed them, it must really get to them. I actually like our rebel status in the world of football, however difficult that makes things for us.

Posted from  Canada

I agree with Oilerfan, ignore the italian posts. They want us to respond and get into childish debates.

It’s bad enough that they infiltrate our daily lives. Clothes, design, cuisine, culture, art, fashion, technology and those damn beautiful cars Ferrari, Lambo Alfa and bikes … Ducati’s and Moto Guzzi…..and on and on it never ends.

Keep this blog to Argentine soccer and lets not mention or reply to anymore posts about the azzurri being campioni del mondo.

Posted from  Canada

very funny zapala (aka justice), we get it, where would the world be w/o Italy!! lol, you must be really attention starved to care so much about what we think about your team.

Posted from  Canada

Yeah, attention starved and 12 years old.

Looking forward to the friendly, and also to la liga starting up next weekend! Saw Messi in the Supercopa. He’s so impressive in his playmaking with ROnaldinho, although I do think that he needs to improve on his finishing ability. He amazes me everytime I see him. He’s a forward/playmaker thinker type, and Aguero is a natural born goal scorer. If they progress the way they have been, I can’t see any team challenging them in the near future. Except that they are really short.

Posted from  United States

you’re right alexa, and don’t forget, trapped in his parents basement too, a sad case indeed, lol.

I’m so looking forward to the friendly too, i have’nt seen some of the players basile has chosen before, so it’ll be intersting to see how they come together as a new team. I’m esp looking forward to seeing Aguero after hearing so many great things about him and having seen some of his goals on youtube. As for Barca, Messi and Ronaldinho are just a blast to watch, their communication and timing is almost always perfect.

Posted from  Canada

I was in argentina when we sadly lost the game… i was with all my friends; we painted our faces and everything…
My opinion is that if pato would of been the goaley,instead of franco.. we might, not saying we would of won, just saying we might of won( or maybe im just hoping…)
Even though i’m just 11… my passion for Argentina can’t beat any other love i have for anything or anyone…(except family)…….vamos argentina!!!!

Posted from  United States

Hey!

Argentina is some of the best in the world, along with loads of others…what I just hate about it is when people start acting like its the end of the world or something…its just a game! Im half Argentinian but I live in the U.K.. how do u think it is for me 2 be torn it two cause of my mum and my friends! Its really heart breaking!England are quite good.. but they could do better, just take Argentina for example! England should learn from them, im not saying England are rubbish or anything but if they didnt have Rooney always having his hissy fits and shaped up a bit and played real football like argentina, they would have more of a chance.I was soooooo sad when argentina lost against germany, my mum was well upset about it! W/e any1 ses, argentina played really well in that game, and no one wins matches over penaltys! Its not fair or part of real footy! England played there best in the match against portugal, england sooo should have won! And i bet u ronaldo was planning 2 wind up Rooney all along cause he knows him, they play together in M.U.

Go argentina..U ROCK!

Eliaan where are you from?

Posted from  United Kingdom

Im gessin your from the u.s.a? lol!

Posted from  United Kingdom

Is it just me or does england have a massive grudge on argentina!?!?!

Posted from  United Kingdom

Italy arnt that bad, but btw this blog is about ARGENTINA NOT ITALY!No hard feelings any1 just telling the truth!

Posted from  United Kingdom

only we didnt luky
we are the best
ayala is better than ballak and frings

Posted from  Canada