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WCQ round-up: conclusions and ongoing concerns

October 20th, 2007 | By: Linda | 353 Comments »

I’ve got exams coming up soon, so there won’t be too many posts over the next 3 weeks. Conveniently enough, the next qualifiers aren’t for another month. For now, here are a few of my thoughts after this round of qualifiers:

Conclusions

Messi and Tevez are not a strike partnership. Not all of us has come to this conclusion – least of all Basile himself – but after agonising over the possibility ever since they first began to be played up front together, my mind at least is made up. They’re brilliant individual players, but as a partnership they don’t link up well, or often enough, and doesn’t give us a presence in the box.
Demichelis and Milito, on the other hand, are a fine partnership in defence. We haven’t got any shortage of personnel at centerback, and even though Ayala will be missed, the future looks bright.
Idleness has not affected Riquelme’s form. While it is in everyone’s best interests that he finds himself a club where he will play regularly, it’s good to see him reward Basile’s faith.
Mascherano should be one of the first names on the team sheet as long as he continues in this vein. Absolutely brilliant.

Ongoing concerns

The same problem we’ve had ever since we started using Roman as the playmaker: we’re overdependent on him. The quest to find a plan B for when he gets shut out of games or for when he’s not available to play goes on.
We may be well-served where centerback is concerned, but there’s a shortage of convincing backup options beyond the starters at leftback and rightback. Surely out of all the talent Argentina have got, both in the domestic league and overseas, there’s more than one international-class left/rightback?
I’m convinced that Messi and Tevez can’t work together, but what about Messi and Aguero? (Personally, I’d like to see more of this one. They clearly have a good understanding.) Or Saviola, as some of our commenters have suggested? The best solution in my opinion is to have a traditional no.9, and what do you know, we’ve got one. He’s getting on a bit, but still a perfectly good striker. Crespo should be utilized as we search for a younger replacement. On that note, perhaps Denis should get more minutes to see if he’s the one. I’d like to see more of Lavezzi too.

Have fun while I’m gone, and as always: Vamos Argentina!

Tags: 2010 World Cup Qualifying, Aguero, Demichelis, Mascherano, Messi, Milito, Riquelme, Tevez, wc qualifying

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 353 comments.

Read the rest of the comments

By John | November 7th, 2007 at 5:38 pm

Argentina national team need to play a more offensive formation like the current Barca system.

Here is my take:

Pato
Zanetti G.Milito, Samuel Henize

Gago Mascherano

Riquelme
Messi
Tevez
Aguero

in this formation, Messi and Tevez would both play their comfort positions where they play well in their clubs. Also Gago and Mascherano could play alone in middle field to format a strong defensive force and make transistions from defense to offense smooth, Riquelme play behind the 3 strikers to control the offense rythme. Aimar, Maxi or lucho could be his replacement if needed, but at this time, Riquelme is still the best choice. I have my faith on Aguero that he would become the next No.9 for our team.

When we need defensive switch, bring on Cambiasso from bench and take off Tevez or Messi, switch formation to 442.

I believe if everything goes right, this would bring us the World Cup in 2010, how you guys think.

Posted from United States

By MaxiLopez | November 7th, 2007 at 6:02 pm

Lots of people think like you John. It is the same formation that use Barca or Olympique Lyon. The problem as I said thousands of times before is that Basile will always use 4-3-1-2 formations so it is hopeless to talk about it.

Cambiasso scored 2 gols, with assists of the 2 best Argentine foxes since Batigol: Cruz and Crespo!

Ibrahimovich scored an amazing gol too.

Posted from Sweden

By ajNYHC | November 7th, 2007 at 9:13 pm

Tevez goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev3PnLAVH-E

Posted from United States

By Gopal | November 8th, 2007 at 2:08 am

Newcastle for Riquelme? I think not so bad for the situation
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=473650

By MaxiLopez | November 8th, 2007 at 6:05 am

Bringing Riquelme in England would be catastrophic.

Message frome Arsene Wenger to KEN! He was asked to be the England NT coach by the federation and answered: “No, the England NT needs an English coach not a coach from abroad. What hymn would I sing if I face France?”

Posted from Sweden

By J-Argie | November 8th, 2007 at 9:45 am

Arsenal, Man Utd chasing Benfica’s Di Maria
tribalfooball.com – November 08, 2007

Arsenal and Manchester United are maintaining their interest in Benfica striker Angel di Maria.

The Argentina U20 star almost joined the Gunners in August, only for his club, Rosario Central, to sell him to Benfica before the summer transfer window closed.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger remains keen on Di Maria, but the youngster has admitted ambitions this season of playing for Manchester United.

Posted from United States

By Albo | November 8th, 2007 at 1:58 pm

Cambiasso and Maxi are special players. The few ones who can play real defense and real offense according to the needs of the team.
They are both back to top level. It so tempting, imo, to try an aggressive 4-3-3 against Bolivia.

———————Ustari———————
Zanetti—Demichelis—Milito—Heinze
——Maxi—Mascherano—Cambiasso
——Messi——Crespo——Tevez/Aguero

I know it’s not going to happen, but it is to me quite a balanced formation.

Posted from United States

By ajNYHC | November 8th, 2007 at 2:05 pm

Barca were almost playing 2 – 5 – 3 against Rangers. It was spectacular. Albo you’ve left no room for Roman in your formation above. Considering Basile the lineup will probably be:

Pato

Zanetti — Demichelis — G. Milito — G.Heinze

Mascherano

Maxi — Riquelme — Cambiasso

Messi — Crespo/Tevez.

For once I would like to see a Tevez, Agueuro parnership with Messi and Riquelme in a free role behind them. I know I’m only dreaming.

Posted from United States

By fab | November 8th, 2007 at 2:20 pm

basile will use the same formation as always…how exciting…why bother bringing subs

anyways i think its time for a new topic

Posted from Canada

By MaxiLopez | November 8th, 2007 at 3:15 pm

Albo,

Don’t you think Cambiasso is out of position with Basile? I think ChuChu has always been in form, he’s just used incorrectly by Coco.

Mancini NEVER uses him as a left midfielder. He perfectly knows where Cambiasso is the best.

ajNHC,

In a team, no one should be above the rules. So does Riquelme, who doesn’t play in a his club right now.

Cavenaghi isn’t even playing with Bordeaux tonight. On the bench, once more. He must be very frustrated because he has good stats. When he plays, he scores. Unfortunately, it’s never the case…

Posted from Sweden

By Messay | November 8th, 2007 at 3:43 pm

One of the Best articles I HAVE READ on MESSI. such a powerful article. WOW

http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.1817373.0.0.php

Posted from United States

By Albo | November 8th, 2007 at 7:28 pm

>>>Don’t you think Cambiasso is out of position with Basile?>>>

MaxiLopez, Inter play a 4-4-2, where Cesar takes the left wing.
We simply don’t have a real left winger at NT level.
Remember Kily?

Posted from United States

By bionic messi | November 8th, 2007 at 11:52 pm

did gonzalo rodregiuez played and scored for villareal?

By MaxiLopez | November 9th, 2007 at 5:02 am

I know Albo, that’s why Basile should use the system which fits the best to his players. My 3-4-2-1 for example

———Carrizzo——
—Garay-Dimi–Heinze–
Lucho-Masche-Cambi-Maxi
——-Riquelme——–
Messi——————
——–Striker——–

This would be good.

I also remind that this formation doesn’t include the old Crespo, Zanetti, Pato, Ibarra. Built to be efficient in 2010.

Vamos.

Posted from Sweden

By aimar10 | November 9th, 2007 at 10:37 am

we had a wonderful left winger in sorin but since basile he was never once selected. plus i prefer to see a true left winger play his natural position than to see cambiasso there. even if it means fielding players with less skill than cambiasso then so be it. if i had my wish maxi and lucho would be my wingers and i would swicth them consantly throughout the game. remember the friendly against france lucho played well as a left winger. we also have a good lefr winger in julio arca who prehaps derserves a chance.

By MaxiLopez | November 10th, 2007 at 6:49 am

I believe that against France, Lucho was only playing on the left while defending. The rest of the time, he was a playmaker so everywhere, but always re-positionning perfectly on the left.

We don’t have the equivalent of Maxi on the left. The 2 positions are vital for a 4-3-1-2. We need someone who is a creative midfielder, who defends perfectly and runs during 2 hours! Sorin was that kind of player. Excellent. Cambiasso is not. He’s a monster playing in the center with Mascherano, but not a left midfielder.

At least, it would be correct if Cambiasso wasn’t asked by Basile to go upfront with Heinze, balancing the attacks from the right (but who would attack on the left??). It’s not the case.

Anyway, lots of problems that we would have NEVER expected last year.

Posted from Sweden

By MaxiLopez | November 11th, 2007 at 12:16 pm

The blog is dead or what?

Cavenaghi is in the starting line-up with Bordeaux. I am watching this horrible game ONLY for Cavegol. I am crazy. Vamos!

Posted from Sweden

By MaxiLopez | November 11th, 2007 at 1:49 pm

Cavenaghi played well in this horrible team. He didn’t lose a single ball during 70 minutes. He defended a lot and almost scored on a free kick. He should have got a penalty too.

Posted from Sweden

By day1star | November 11th, 2007 at 3:58 pm

Can’t wait till next Saturday anyone know what time the match is? I hope Basile makes some changes, these next 2 games are a good time for him to try out the subs he always takes but never gives a chance to.

By Golazo | November 11th, 2007 at 5:16 pm

Leo Franco had a hell of a game today.

Posted from United States

By MaxiLopez | November 11th, 2007 at 6:07 pm

Basile will not make changes.

D’Alessandro scored but Betis won thanks to Pavone (x2)!
Lux had a difficult game with Mallorca and got 4 gols in the net (Gago and Heinze played, no Saviola)

We have many many strikers coming back or evolving. Not good enough yet for the NT but it is still very positive: Pavone, Lisandro, Maxi, Cavenaghi, Denis, Figueroa, Larrivey,…

Posted from Sweden

By J-Argie | November 11th, 2007 at 6:13 pm

who is that Guillermo Franco argie guy who scored a brace for villareal today?
I didn’t see the real madrid game, how was Higuain’s comeback ad how did Gago handled himself?

By Albo | November 11th, 2007 at 8:23 pm

These are the local players Basile called up for the Bolivia and Colombia matches:

Mariano Andújar (Estudiantes de La Plata),
Agustín Orión (San Lorenzo de Almagro),
Hugo Ibarra (Boca Juniors),
Sebastián Battaglia (Boca Juniors),
Germán Denis (Independiente).

Posted from United States

By aimar10 | November 11th, 2007 at 9:50 pm

very sad news today coming out of italy a lazio fan was accidently shot and killed bya police officer. it is alleged that there was an altercation between fans of lazio and juventus at a gas station where a police officer accidently opened fire and killed someone. as a result roma vs cagliari was postponed a long with inter vs lazio, milan vs atalanta was abandoned after 8 minutes. fans actually caused damaged to the barriers as they tried to storm the pitch. this is once again another dark day in italy. and leaves some burning questions in everyone’s mind.

By ibrahim shmi | January 1st, 2008 at 6:43 am

I really do think that cambiasso is being used as a sort of left midfielder. which doesn’t benefit argentina. Maybe it would be better if argentina were to try a 4-2-2-2 formation.

Pato
zanetti-demichellis-milito-heinze
cambiasso-mascherano
messi-riquelme
tevez/aguero/saviola-crespo/cruz

Posted from United Kingdom