Superclasico Sunday: Argentina’s Biggest Rivals Get Set to Battle

By the way nice to have you back Albo.:)

I cannot understand Blancs thinking Maxi.

If Cavegol were to shine then surely that would further increase his transfer value. Hiding him away in Ligue Une is not going to hide his talents from scouts across Europe ?

They already are aware of his abilities from his time at River. He had a bit of a plateau with Spartak but he’s regained his old form.

And surely it would be better for Girondins to progress in the CL ?

Chau amigos.

And by the way ignore these awards they are meaningless. There is such a plethora of them that they have been rendered pointless. They ar more to with branding & merchandising than any serious attempt to quantify who the better players are.

At the end of the day a player should be judged by his personal acheivements & medals won not the opinion of a coach from say the Solomon Islands who has very restricted access to coverage of global football.

I may be gone a bit over the next few days. I’ve bought a new top spec Vista desktop & setting it up & getting all my programs compatible may take time.

Saludos.

i just saw the saddest clip ever

poor saviola is the laughing stock of real madrid…literally

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C5QkCxpZMY

Posted from  Canada

FAB,
Well these 2 fools would laugh less if they saw his their income with Saviola’s one. Saviola is kind of masochist. What is he waiting for? He must leave. Real Madrid are already chasing Tevez..

AURELIUS,
Blanc has already admitted that Bordeaux had no chances to qualify.

Well I would like to give more comments on who should be the coach but i don tknow each of them well enough. It sounds like both Russo and Bianchi would be good and of course I still think that Batista the Olympic coach did a fine job in the Olympics. To me I would love to me Argentine coach. It should be the easiest job in the world with all of the talent that we have. The problem is the ability to move on and give opportunities to all these yoiunger and faster players. I hope that the new coach comes in very open minded as we have all the talent to win against any team.

Posted from  United States

On a different topic I believe that it is time for Tevez to leave manchester united. They used him when he was on loan and after all he has done they are disrespecting him by not signing him permanent. Plus he is now a sub player. he should go to REal Madrid or Inter.

Posted from  United States

Kun Aguero will not start the game against Liverpool…he is on the bench.
MaxiLopez: Do you really think that the worlds greatest football player in 2008 was Cannavaro????????????????????????????????????????????

I liked this article so much I will put the whole thing here.

Posted from  United States

Maradona deserves Argentina call Story Highlights
Diego Maradona is the right choice to coach the Argentine national team
Former world superstar is one of four candidates to replace Alfio Basile
Maradona is one of the few people who could deal with the players’ egos

No other figure captures Argentinean hearts like Diego Maradona, whose redemption tale is unmatched in Argentine pop culture.
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Diego Maradona is in Tblisi, Georgia, this week preparing for a game of Showbol. But he surely has his ears glued to the telephone, waiting to hear what becomes of Argentina’s latest coaching drama.

Arguably the greatest player to have ever graced a soccer field, Maradona, surprisingly, is one of the candidates to replace Alfio Basile as the head coach of the Argentine national team. AFA president Julio Grondona will announce his final verdict on Monday.

Maradona is the flashiest name, of course. But he is also the only candidate who lacks top-level coaching experience. The other names are Miguel Ángel Russo, Sergio Batista and Carlos Bianchi — three coaches with long histories of experience, all of whom have the credentials to lead Argentina to the World Cup and beyond.

The safe choice is probably Russo, who will likely lead Argentine powerhouse San Lorenzo to the Apertura Championship this season. But in terms of excitement and overall public opinion, Maradona gets my vote.

No matter how controversial it may seem, Maradona has certain qualities that could transform Argentina into a firm title candidate for the 2010 World Cup. Maradona has given Argentine soccer so much over the years, and a coaching role could be the best way to repay him for all his achievements.

But there are many obstacles standing in his way. Since his retirement in 1997, El Diez had been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. He was constantly in trouble with the law, and his drug and alcohol addiction reached such an extreme that just a few years ago, he was feared to be on his deathbed. After spending several months at rehab clinics, where he received intensive counseling to cure his addiction and excessive weight gain, Maradona eventually cleaned up his act.

With his drug problems behind him, Maradona is prepared to begin a new chapter in his life. He may be inexperienced in a coaching role, having failed in brief stints with Argentine teams Deportivo Mandiyú and Racing Club during the mid-90s. But his track record speaks for itself.

Maradona played a starring role for Argentina as it claimed the 1986 World Cup and, in that same tournament, he scored arguably the two most famous goals in World Cup history: the “Goal of the Century” and the “Hand of God” in the 2-1 quarterfinal victory over England.

Maradona is a proven winner on the international stage. And although he remains a legend in his own right still today, how realistic are his chances of being selected? According to Noray Nakis, a senior director of the Argentine national team, they are very good. On Tuesday, he admitted that Maradona is a firm candidate to fill Argentina’s vacant coaching position.

“Maradona has the greatest possibilities of being the coach of the national team,” Nakis said. “In the dressing room, he motivates the players and he finds himself in a great personal moment.”

If Nakis is right, and Maradona does become the coach of Los Albicelestes, it could be one of the most unconventional moves in the entire history of Argentine soccer. Argentina has traditionally opted for coaches with many years of experience, including Basile, who was hired again in ‘06 after leading Boca Juniors to four titles in one year. He was also the last coach to have achieved success with the national team, having guided Argentina to back-to-back Copa América titles in 1991 and ‘93 during his first spell in charge.

The appointment of Maradona, however, would set a new trend. And although it would indeed be extremely risky, it could well be the change Argentina needs. Maradona, who turns 48 on Oct. 30, has the potential to revolutionize Argentine soccer. What gives him the edge over his competition is that he continues to be as popular as ever in his country and is an international soccer icon. If he were to become Argentina’s next coach, not only would he get undivided support from the general public, but he would also be presented with a glorious opportunity to prove himself in a position where many have failed in the past.

“We have to make sure the will to succeed returns, [for the players] to feel the shirt,” Maradona told Radio Del Plata on Tuesday. “Maybe this has been forgotten, but it is fundamental to feel it when the time comes to enter the field. Overseas [in Europe], they have excellent careers, but if they play badly one Sunday, they can make up for this the next week. Here, on the contrary, they must play their hearts out in two [World Cup qualifying] matches. But it is necessary to change some internal aspects which will improve by just talking.”

Regardless of who gets the job, Argentina’s main objective will be the World Cup. The team has enough quality players to be among the title candidates, but it needs a coach capable of injecting character into the side.

With the help of an experienced assistant, Maradona could possibly steer them in the right direction. Not only is he a renowned motivator (having played a key role in the dressing room as Argentina won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics), but the ‘86 World Cup winner contains a strong winning mentality. If he manages to incorporate this into the squad, even if he takes a secondary role, it could prove vital as Argentina looks to return to former glory.

“I will fight to become the national-team coach until the last minute” Maradona insisted. “The opportunities are there, my chances are still intact. I will have to put together my coaching team to compete with the other candidates. I’m fully devoted to the cause, and if necessary I will get to work at 8 in the morning.”

Maradona is clearly motivated to take on the role, and this could benefit the national team in certain aspects. What plays in his favor are the good relationships he has with Argentina’s top players, such as Sergio Agüero (his son-in-law), Lionel Messi, Carlos Tévez and Juan Román Riquelme.

In the past, coaches such as Basile, José Pekerman and Marcelo Bielsa found great difficulty in dealing with the number of egos in the Argentina dressing room, and that often affected the team’s ability to cope in the biggest games. Maradona might be the right guy to get the most out of his players.

Is it time for El Diego to finally assume the responsibility? Argentina is in serious need of a coach capable of turning around its fortune. Although a risky appointment of Maradona might not be an instant success, it could have its rewards in the long run. If Maradona gets the call on Monday, it would be the greatest birthday present he could possibly imagine

Posted from  United States

Sorry about how long it was but it does seem to boil down to those four. I would love to see Maradona as the coach if he has a great tactician at his side.

Posted from  United States

Bianchi or bust. Let Diego manage Boca first for a few years, I don’t want a Hugo Sanchez debacle.

Posted from  Belgium

Maradona shouldn’t take over the NT. Its ridiculous. He needs to manage a few clubs first before taking the helm. Bianchi is my best bet. He’s very accomplished - except I don’t know what happened during his spell with AS Roma and Atletico Madrid.

Either way seems like a most experienced manager we have out there.

Posted from  United States

Experience is a dangerous thing, if you are wanting to do something extraordinary.

I would vouch for energy, rather than experience.

Posted from  United States

Energy only gets you so far. All the best managers generally speaking have had to work there way up in the system. Dealing with adversity & limited resources makes them what they are.

Granted there are a few who have jumped in straight into the top job with sucess but generally they are few & far between.

Crespo appears to endorse Bianchi. Hope you know who is paying attention.
Crespo: Bianchi Gets My Vote

Out of favour Inter Milan striker Hernan Crespo affirmed that he “would like it” if Carlos Bianchi would become the new coach of the Argentine national team…

Hernan Crespo affirmed that Carlos Bianchi, who has never coached the player, “is a very capable person, he likes to work hard and he knows what he wants.” He added that it would be “interesting to see him in charge of the national team” as the successor of Alfio Basile, who resigned last week.

The Inter Milan striker, who wasn’t taken into consideration by Basile in recent months, admitted that he was surprised with Basile’s decision to resign.

“The whole situation surprised me because of everything that was said beforehand. If Basile decided to leave it was because he knew he couldn’t control the situation much longer,” he stated.

Crespo admitted that his choice for Argentina’s new coach would be Bianchi, who did extremely well during his time with Boca Juniors and Velez Sarsfield.

“It is difficult, because of everything that is heard and said. Of all the candidates, the one I like best is Bianchi. I like him a lot. He is a coach who knows what he wants and he sends a very direct message,” Crespo reiterrated.

According to Crespo, Bianchi “is in the perfect age for the national team [position].”

Earlier in the week it was announced that Julio Grondona will make the final decision public next Monday, when he returns from a trip to Zurich, Switzerland.

A pretty quiet CL for our boys barring Messi’s opener against Basel.
Chau amigos.

Maradona & Batista are not good tacticians. Well, for Diego, we don’t really know. If Maradona was a great tactician, I’d vote for him.

RUNE,
It’s ironic.

Posted from  France

Everyone is asking for the NT power.

Batista has said to the press that he would be suprised if he was not appointed as the new coach.

Noray Nakis, leader of the NT commission has said that he wanted Maradona as the new coach. He also said that Bianchi was absolutely never mentioned.

Posted from  France

http://www.tribalfootball.com/?q=content/villarreal-players-stunned-pellegrini-fury

At half-time, Villareal was in danger at home against Aalborg. Pellegrini changed his system, screamed, and sent in 2 players who then scored 4 gols! Result: 6-3. That’s a coach.

Posted from  France

http://www.tribalfootball.com/?q=content/inter-milan-want-benfica-pair-di-maria-yebda

Inter want Di Maria.

Posted from  France

hahahaah

check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TULex5YNdbY&feature=related

Posted from  Canada

Fab Hilarious. After watching Messi play yesterday my eyes were opened and I once again state that he has to be the focus now . The team needs to be built around him and what brings out all of his talents. His passing was unbeleiveable and he always moved to receive the ball. All over the field not just on the right side like last season. It was a work of Art. I beleive that he needs to be the focus and he needs fast skilled players around him that move a lot and open up space for him and he for them. I hate to say this but it might mean no more Roman as a starter. Aimar works so much better with the skill set that Messi brings. Players like Levezzi Higuain Di maria and Maxi are Lucho are the perfect compliments. It is time the coach realizes that the greatest player on the planet is Argentine and it is no longer Roman and in fact Roma limits what messi can do . This is no slap to Roman as he is great and still has a place on the national team but it is time for the caoch to do what is best for the team and for the greatest player of his generation.

Posted from  United States

Ole says mascherano wants Maradona as coach.

Posted from  United States

Christian is right about Maradona. He’s a great cheerleader, but not an organizer. He’s a nutcase. A nutcase who I personally love, but a nutcase just the same.

I really hope that it’s Bianchi. For one, he would be the best to get Riquelme’s game in his final WC, but mostly becuase he’s Arg through and through, and that’s important.

Posted from  United States

Ole: Bianchi tuvo noticias desde la AFA: un emisario de Grondona se comunicó con el Virrey para preguntarle si de verdad quiere trabajar. La respuesta fue afirmativa.
http://www.ole.clarin.com/notas/2008/10/23/seleccion/01787091.html

PLEASE GOD LET IT BE TRUE. I don’t care about his failures in Europe, they’re not important. He made Boca into what it is today, a team that’s made to win. People don’t seem to realise what Boca was before Bianchi arrived, a black hole of depression. He made Riquelme and Tevez the centerpieces of his teams and the prizes started piling up. He’s the man for the job.

What counts for me is that Bianchi has beaten, as a coach, top European teams in the intercontinental cup. This is important.

River fans know better than others how efficient Bianchi has been with Boca. He sent the club on top.

All this seems to be too nice to be true. Bianchi wants freedom and won’t have it with Grondona. The press is selling its paper by adding his name to the list of candidate.

I’m so afraid that AFA’s logic is to give the team to Batista because in theory, he knows the young generation better than anyone else.

On a totally different topic, ARG-GER referee Ljubos Michel ended his refereeing career few days ago. Futbol is less dirty without him now.

Posted from  France