World Cup Qualifying is just around the corner

Thanks Messi,
I hope Messi wins the world player of the year

wow great goals by boith of them Keep an eye on Aguero !!!!!

Posted from  United States

Comments on Aguero from opposing coach

Caparros could but sit and watch his side be completely outplayed during the match, and was full of praise.

“Kun is sensational,” he said. “He can be whatever he wants to be.”

But despite the recognition, Aguero declared that he is only thinking about keeping on improving

“Let’s see if I can continue like this right until the end of the season,” he said.

Posted from  United States

The legend Messi is on his road. Only injuries can stop him. I saw that at la Copa he had done a step forward. This player is incredible. I’ve never seen this. I remember Ronaldo at Barca who could decide of the purpose of a game on his own. But with Messi, it’s different. He can score 5 gols per game if he wants. He’s so destructive. He’s so fast.

Bellion injured hiself. Cavenaghi will have more room. It’s the perfect moment for Cavegol to show hiself.

Posted from  United States

Sorry, Bellion didn’t injure hiself. He was just replaced because of the goalkeeper’s injury.

Posted from  United States

I watched Barca game. The first half was beautiful.

Barca should have scored 9 or so goals.

When Henry gets in form, it’ll be a team and a half!

As for Argentina, I am sitll recovering from Copa America and haven’t thought much about it.

Posted from  United States

OMG..messi is so unreal…!!!!
he’s da besttt!!!

Posted from  Malaysia

once again riquelme takes no part

like i have been saying, i am a massive barca and argentinan fan, i personally believe that with both messi and aguero at front for argentina and getting their chemistrry on top for for the next eight or twelve year, argentina will have no problem up front. when i read the blogs people write here and sometime they refer that the true number nine aint here makes me think that you are looking for height. but i believe that strikers should be players that can cause problem for the defence. im happy to know that both aguero and messi are both there on the top scorers sheet. this just come to prove that they are true number nines like any other striker. prefer messi a supporting striker though. messi’s my favourite player and i hope he become the top goal scorer with aguero second.
go messi!!!!!!!!!

Posted from  United Kingdom

Messi and Aguero the toast of Spanish football

Two Argentine youngsters are taking Spanish football by storm right now.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Sergio Aguero of Atletico Madrid are the toast of Spain this week, front-page news in all the sports papers and the subject of a score of special television features.

Rarely have two young foreign impacts made such a rapid impact in “La Liga” as Messi and Aguero.

In fact, “Messimania” has become so frenzied amongst Barca fans that they are already forgetting about Ronadinho.

Ronaldinho, of course, has been the idol at the Camp Nou since the very day of his arrival in 2003, his goofy smile and radiant skills infusing the Catalan giants with new optimism and exuberance.

But not any more. The Brazilian, of course, is in a massive crisis, amidst rumours of invented injuries, a wild nightlife, a possible depression - and a December departure to Chelsea.

“Hardly anyone remembers Ronaldinho now,” commented Radio Rambla after Wednesday’s 4-1 thrashing of Zaragoza. “Messi has made the fans forget all about Ronaldinho.”

No small feat for a skinny, shy 20 year-old. But Messi has managed to do this, thanks to his unassuming modesty, his audacious skills - and his breathtaking goals.

Messi scored twice in the first ten minutes against Zaragoza, building on the two he scored against Sevilla and his goal against Lyon.

Five goals in three games in the Camp Nou - not bad for a scrawny kid who seems to have just started to shave.

Compatriot Aguero is almost as popular with the Atletico fans as Messi is in Barcelona - especially after Wednesday’s wonder goal in the 2-0 win up in Bilbao.

Aguero cheekily skipped past three Bilbao defenders before scoring with an impudent left-foot drive.

Aguero joined Atleti as a precocious 18 year-old a year ago from Independiente. Most fans thought he would need a long adaptation period, but he has quickly demonstrated a maturity which belies his years.

Cadena SER claimed on Thursday morning that “Aguero could turn out to be one of the most important players in Atletico’s history, and certainly one of the most popular.”

What Aguero and Messi have in common are their streetwise skills and childlike audacity, based on the desire to try something different just for their own - and the crowd’s - enjoyment.

Unlike most European players today, they both grew up playing daily kickabout games in the backstreets of Buenos Aires (Aguero) and Rosario (Messi).

They are the latest example of what Argentines call “potreros” - Diego Maradona and Alfredo Di Stefano were two earlier models - talented kids who have polished their skills in endless wasteground matches.

And right now they are the toast of Spanish football.

Posted from  United States

Aurelius, Aimar10, Debasish, thanks for talking a bit about tactics. I believe it is the only topic really interesting. The one that we must talk about until 2010, the rest is completely crap. Of course it’s always impressing to see our Argentines playing well like Messi doing amazing things with Barca nowadays. But what is important for me is that these guys do the same at WC10. We must win it. It is ours.

I don’t wanna seem pretentious or know everything about futbal. I am only telling you what I think about your formations.

Aurelius,

I am surprised about your formation. Where is the playmaker? Without Riquelme? Aimar? Sosa? What about the tempo? Poetry? Gago is magnificent but only organizes well from behind. A bit like Pirlo, but much better though. Messi doesn’t have the ability to manage this tempo yet. He is a missile, he needs someone like Riquelme to “decide” when to launch him. Of course Roman doesn’t play these days (he’s rich, why didn’t break his contract and go to Atletico?). Your team is balanced the way many are in Europe. Efficient. But what about the dream that can produce this team with a playmaker (but without a forward) ?

Aimar10,

It’s very difficult to play Aimar, Riquelme and Messi together because the balance of the team can easily be affected. Against South American teams others than Brazil & Uruguay, you can do it. But against an European team, no doubt that it can take advantage of the left flank of your formation. Very easy to dribble Riquelme and to pass Aimar, even if they defend.

I am sure you know that Heinze must NOT be used like a Sorin. He is more a central defender than a SW. He is not good enough in dribbling and he’s slow. I loved Sorin at WC. He was so important, even in defence. Heinze must be used on the left like Burdisso was used by Pekerman in 06, on the right. A guy who stays behind in order to compensate the attacks of the right back (Zanetti, Zabaleta?).

Like you, it makes me sick to see Pato goalkeeper. If he was good, it was in the past…

Debasish,

I loved what you said. But I don’t like 4-3-1-2 for Argentina because it excludes Gago of the starting 11. Also when the team attacks, Mascherano has too much distance to defend, overall when Messi is attacking in your formation. He is far too low. You cannot ask Messi to defend that much. Maxi can do it, he has an amazing stamina which can allow him to attack and defend (he’s amazing). And it is also much better to let Messi use his stamina in attack!!

I love Saviola and Lucho too. And not because I’m a River fan.

Yes. We must focus on keeping the ball and try to be effective at the same time, in the first half. Always. Trying to attack but calmly (difficult with Messi!). Our first half against Germany in 06 was excellent.

Guys, with what we have, I repeat it again, the BEST solution is to keep Pekerman’s system: an attacking 3-5-2 system that easily switches into a 4-1-4-1 formation. 3-5-2 is the perfect formation to build, keep the ball and it’s the best way to use a playmaker. It is also where we can use in a perfect way Mascherano in front of the defence, the 5th defender.

Our players are bad tactically and this system is the one where we can be effective in attack and in defence with a minimum of concentration.

Obviously, each of our players must repositionate when they don’t have the ball. (this cost us la Copa whereas we were excellent in this domain in 06). But the 4-1-4-1 switching into 3-5-2 is the best way to achieve this. Pekerman and our players destroyed IC and Serbia with the formation with a minimum of logic.

I hope I am convincing you with what I think. Difficult to do drawings on this blog but I am sure can understand these 2 ones:

Attacking:

—C—
X–X–H
—M—-
Z–G–M
-M–R
–S—-

Defending:
—C—-
Z-X-X-H
—M—-
M-G–M–R
—S—–

C=Carrizzo
Z=Zanetti
H=Heinze
M=Masche, Maxi on the left, Messi where he wants
R=Riquelme or Aimar
S=Saviola

PS: do not underestimate Cambiasso, he is great used in front of Mascherano.

Posted from  United States

Great posts from everybody. I want to thank everyone for their contribution lately. Keep it up guys and gals!

As I have said before Messi deserved world player award. I hope he gets it. That is important for history. He deserves to be in the book of world record.

Did anybody watch the women world cup?
I am ecstatic that Brazil beat US by 4-0 in the semifinal this morning. There is a player called MARTHA who is outstanding. She scored a goal by doing “la roulette” like Zidane. We need to appreciate greatness wherever we see it.

The final is on Sunday between Brasil and Germany. Guys and Gals, please watch it.

Sorry for the distractions!

Rumor has it that Riquelme will be called up as part of the squad to face Chile.

Posted from  United States

Messi,
Riquelme will be on against Chile because Basile’s system is based on him just like Pekermann did for WC2006.

Question is: Will Aimar be in? Most likely not!
We have to wait until we see how it goes against Chile and the olympic to really know where we are going with Basile. CAUTION is the right word here. Saludos

Hello all.
Here’s Basile’s list (only the ones not playing in Argentina)

Roberto Abbondanzieri (Getafe)
Oscar Ustari (Getafe)

Daniel Díaz (Getafe)
Gabriel Heinze (R. Madrid)
Javier Zanetti (Inter)
Nicolás Burdisso (Inter)
Martín Demichelis (Bayern)
Gabriel Milito (Barcelona)

Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruña)
Fernando Gago (R. Madrid)
Maxi Rodríguez (A. Madrid)
Jonás Gutiérrez (Mallorca)
Esteban Cambiasso (Inter)
Javier Mascherano (Liverpool)
Federico Insúa (América)
Juan Román Riquelme (Villarreal)

Javier Saviola (R. Madrid)
Sergio Agüero (A. Madrid)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Carlos Tevez (Man. Utd)

Posted from  United States

What have I been saying about Aguero and the number 9 position!! Dont rule him out !
Vamos a ganar 2010 ..

Posted from  United States

Guys and gals right now the #9 is Saviola and Aguero with Messi as the supporting striker. You can start either one and let the other one sub in at 65 minutes. Tell them to run there butts off and at 65 minutes bring in the other one to put the defense on edge. I still think that Messi could be an offensive mid too so he can take pssesion of the ball at half field .

Posted from  United States

i think the reason that Higuain is not at his top ( 100% )is because he is not played where he is more comfortable which is elite striker up front……if schuster still use him on the right wing he won’t be as productive which equals to bad career at real madrid and a no call to the NT.

Posted from  United States

My two cents on tactics.
All formations are relative to how players understand their dynamics and how opponents move as a consequence. Action and reaction are determined by the team that shows more attitude on the pitch.
The original idea might be to attack, but if the other team has possession of the ball, that original idea fades into a defensive formation regardless of what the coach wants.
Also, we all see how formations vary according to the score, even when we all know that balance is the most important element of a team’s formation.
Regarding the posting by ToddUtah of a couple of days ago, I wanted to clarify that there are two very different types of 4-4-2.

The first one is defensive:

X
X X X X
X X X X

X X

If we have 9 of our eleven players in our defensive half, obviously we’ll be giving the ball to the opponent and wait for errors and fast breaks.
It is used by small teams facing more powerful teams or by a conservative coach after scoring a goal. (It worked perfectly for Dunga after they scored on us)
The second one is called 4-4-2 “Diamond” and is more balanced and designed exclusively for an enganche.

X
X X X X
X
X X
X
X X

As we can see, the middle four are based on the movement of the # 5 and the # 10, the core of the formation.
For Basile, Mascherano and Riquelme are the core of our team.
This is a very balanced formation, as long as the other 2 midfielders (left and right) move up and down according to the needs of the team.
These 2 side midfielders are usually Maxi and Gago.
The rest is obvious.
Messi plus one and the best 4 defenders we can find.
The two lateral defenders can, at any time move up the field and join the attack. But only one at the time, please! (Heinze should forget about all this).
At that moment there’ll be 3 defenders but our team will be getting to the opponent’s box with 6 players ready to shoot on goal.
So this 4-4-2 (diamond) is not defensive at all.
It’s based on the belief that a player like Riquelme deserves a formation to fit his needs.
I don’t know if this is the best way to play. But there’s no doubt in my mind that Basile is 100% consistent with his style of choice.
The proof is that he keeps calling Román after making clear a number of times that he wouldn’t use any player who is not active on a competitive team.
I personally would like to see Gago (or Cambiasso) more involved in the organizing tasks to give Riquelme a little room, and Mascherano more willing to share his territory when it’s time for a double 5.
My team at this point is:

Ustari
Zanetti Demichelis Diaz Heinze
Mascherano
Maxi Gago
Riquelme
Messi G. Denis

Saludos

Posted from  United States

I guess my drawings came out poor. Sorry.

1) Defensive 4-4-2

—————X—————
X——X————X——X
X———X——X———X
———X———X———

2) 4-4-2 Diamond

—————X—————
X——X————X——X
—————X—————
———X———X———
—————X—————
———X———X———

Posted from  United States

Nice post Albo. Thanks for taking some time to write here.

“I don’t like 4-3-1-2 for Argentina because it excludes Gago of the starting 11. Also, when the team attacks, Mascherano has too much distance to cover”

That is the problem Albo. I am sure Basile will not play Gago because he believes he’s the best replacment of Mascherano. I’ve also never seen Gago playing on the left side of the midfield. Maybe, I don’t know.

Mascherano will have kms to cover on his own, sometimes chasing butterflies, if Maxi and Cambiasso attack too much.

Basile will probably use Cambiasso on the left and Maxi on the right. And if I see Cambiasso attacking like Maxi but not repositioning hiself like it was the case against Brazil, I’ll become crazy.

Albo tell what you think about this?

Mascherano, GAGO and a #10 should be the core of the team.

Were the f#ck is Aimar, the most elegant player of the world? Warming his armchair. Riquelme doesn’t even play at Villareal. Aimar deserved to play since 2002. Stupid coaches.

Seeing Jonas, Pato and Insua in the team makes me sick.

I admit these days, I am very pessimistic for Argentina in 2010. There is lots of time to prepare. Maybe I am afraid of losing again. Even if everything is possible in futbol, it should be easy for us. With a minimum of tactical efforts, we should be the best. It’s not the case.

I even believe the result at la Copa is a positive thing…if Basile reacts.

I strongly believe that attacking 3-5-2 or 3-2-3-2 formations are the best way to use our best players and to adapt regarding our opponents.

Posted from  United States

Basile also said he’s going to select a few home based players on Oct. 7th. This I assume will be strictly composed 1 or strikers and maybe another midfielder.

Posted from  United States

Do u know where they are airing it?? Argentina V Chile on the 13th

I need help I do not know english I would like to find out where are they going to air all the World Cup Qual. including Peru -Paray? We have Time Warner Manhattan cable.
THANK YOU

Posted from  United States

check Gol.TV

Posted from  United States