Maradona, Bilardo, and doctor Donato are all in Madrid. Sergio Aguero y Jonás Gutiérrez are both injured and they’re not sure if they will be able to play. What do you all think? Can we do it? Or is Argentina futbol in trouble? I just think there are ups an downs and this is just another one of those downs. It’s not the first time this has happened. It happens with all great futbol countries.

Game time is:

21:00 UK
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Spain v Argentina

Porteros: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar, NED) y Mariano Andújar (Catania, ITA).

Defensas: Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marsella, FRA), Martín Demichelis (Bayern Múnich, GER), Cristian Ansaldi (Rubin Kazan, RUS), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle, GBR) y Nicolás Pareja (Espanyol, ESP).

Medios: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool, GBR), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid, ESP), Ángel Di María y Pablo Aimar (Benfica, POR), Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle, GBR), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter, ITA) y Maxi Rodríguez (Atlético de Madrid, ESP).

Delanteros: Sergio Agüero (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City, GBR), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, ESP), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Nápoles, ITA) y Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid, ESP).

Hello everyone!

Here are the upcoming friendly matches that Argentina are going to play:

14.11.09 Spain Argentina
16.12.09 Argentina Czech Republic
03.03.10 Germany Argentina

These are very important matches for us. Maradona has to show that he is truly capable of coaching the national team. I still have confidence and faith in him. I think there will be some changes in coaching staff, player shuffling, etc. What do you all think? Messi scored again today and Masherano played well too. Mascherano has said he is relaxed and now that Argentina is qualified he can focus on Liverpool. I think he will return to his best form. It’s just a matter of time.

In another news our Sub 17 national team has defeated Honduras 1-0 in the FIFA Under 17 World Cup being played in Nigeria. Our next match is on Tuesday against Germany. Take a look at the link if you want more information on this tournament.

Maradona has stated that he is confident in Di Maria and loves the way he plays. I agree with him on this one. He has also said that he has noticed the play of Javier Saviola and is keeping the doors open for him.

So there you go guys. Enjoy yourselves and remember to keep it clean!

love you all!

Julian

Ok guys here we go! Sorry it took so long to start a new thread for this huge game. Well here we are, it’s do or die for Argentina. Well a tie might do them good. I think AFA needs a big scare. I think Maradona will be replaced after Argentina qualifies. What do you all think? I think this is definitely a good thing because everyone agrees that Maradona isn’t a coach. He should be used as an inspiration to the players, not as the coach.

Game day tomorrow! It’s our last qualifier and it is again Uruguay. We all know the situation and the possible outcomes that could get us in or out of World Cup 2010 South Africa. Let’s give it our best analysis again. Let’s pray and hope for the best. We will definitely need it. I like the positive attitude by some of you guys, I also still believe in Argentina. We are still a great superpower, I am sure of this. Actually it might be a good thing that this is happening to us because now other teams might think we aren’t the old Argentina and think they can beat us. What do you all think?

Have fun and keep it clean!

Julian

Well here we are guys! Let’s analyze, criticize and discuss this matchup. It will be played on October 10, at 7pm, at the River Plate stadium in Buenos Aires. So, I read somewhere that Palermo is going to start and he is going to be able to select who he would like to start with: Aguero, Tevez, or Higuain. I would like to see Messi playing behind the forwards along with Aimar. I think even with Palermo upfront we should be okay. Palermo isn’t that bad, he can still head the ball. If you watched the game against Ghana, he’s good at it! He almost had 3 goals actually. He’s playing well, I think we should give him a chance. Maradona can always substitute him.

Maradona is going to announce the squad on Wednesday. As we are used to by now, there will be surprises. I think we can win this game. I’m more worried about Uruguay as they are playing really well. Argentina futbol is in trouble, not only the national team but also local teams. Tonight alone Velez Sarsfield, and Lanus have both been eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana. What’s going on? Maradona is very nationalistic, he wants to prove something, but I don’t think it is working. In my opinion, he wants to prove that Argentina still produces great players and we don’t need Argentines playing in Europe to win.

Anyway, we just have to wait and see. There’s not much we can do right? Of course, I will be worried as hell during the game, but that’s futbol. We can just hope for the best. Hopefully our boys come out hungry and score a fast goal to get them going. I still have faith. Do you?

Okay guys, let’s have it. Enjoy yourselves and remember to be respectful on here.

-Julian

Well Hello everyone! I am going to try my hand at updating the threads every week or so. I noticed that it hasn’t been updated for awhile, and I was getting tired of seeing the same old CHAMPIONS LEAGUE thing…how about you guys???

I think we should try to begin forgetting about Juan Roman Riquelme because I don’t think he will be back… Really guys, I know we all have mixed feelings about him, but it’s time to move on. It’s sad I know, but we should try to think positive, and make the best out of what we have. Let’s dedicate this thread to the Argentine National team.

So how about our qualifiers coming up? First against Venezuela on March 28 and then against Bolivia on April 1st. This is the REAL test for Maradona, it isn’t a friendly, it is for real. I have a feeling that we will do well. We have a pretty good record against Venezuela at home, I don’t think they have ever beaten us on home soil. Against Bolivia? Well again, we shouldn’t have a problem with them. What do you all think??? I want to read all your comments!

Another question… Now that we have the starting roster, and we know who will be playing, what do you think? Is it the same old, same old? or will it be totally different without Roman? Let’s not go off on a tangent about ROMAN (I know it’s hard to avoid, but we can do it!) Let’s think fresh! This is a new thread, it calls for it! )

Ok everyone, enjoy the blog! Take a look at the pictures… It fills me up with emotion and excitement! Now that I am in Buenos Aires, I feel it all around me!

Now let’s enjoy the thread!

-Julian

While many of the names come as no surprise (Mascherano, Messi, Agüero), the selection of Walter Samuel certainly is, with the former Boca Juniors player making his first appearance with the national team since September of 2006.

The list does not include players currently playing in Argentina such as Juan Román Riquelme and Juan Sebastián Verón, who could be called in this week, though they would have to miss the start of the Clausura season which begins February 6th.

In other news, the Argentina Under-20 squad will face Ecuador tonight in the South America Under-20 Championship. They will need at least a draw to qualify for the final hexagonal group stage if they are to advance to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. I’ve provided a link below, which should be at 6PM ET/3PM PT.

Full List For France Friendly:

Goalkeepers: Juan Pablo Carrizo (Lazio), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar)

Defenders: Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid), Daniel Díaz (Getafe), Nicolás Burdisso (Inter Milan), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Maximiliano Rodríguez (Atlético Madrid), Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle), Luis González (Porto), Ángel Di María (Benfica)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona de España), Sergio Agüero (Atlético de Madrid de España), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United de Inglaterra), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli de Italia), Lisandro López (Porto de Portugal), Germán Denis (Napoli de Italia)

Link for Argentina vs Ecuador U-20 Game

Watch live video from Futbol Mundial on Justin.tv

But before we completely shift our focus towards ‘09, let me take another opportunity to thank all of you again for making this site so successful. In looking at the traffic stats for the month of December, the Argentina blog was the second most popular site on the World Cup blog network, with nearly 9,000 total visitors. When you include Christmas and New Year’s, when traffic traditionally dips, that makes those numbers even more impressive.

In fact, the Argentina WCB has consistently finished in the top 5 most visited blogs on the site, with huge jumps in traffic during the qualifier against Brazil, the Olympics, and during the naming of Diego Maradona as NT coach.

What does that all mean? It means that Argentina, both on the national and club level, is as popular as ever, and that Argy players across South America, Europe, and even the U.S., are an integral part of the modern footballing world. Thus it seems that everyone out there has something to say, and thankfully for us, the WCB is for many the de-facto stop on the web to add to the discussion.

I realize this blog is far perfect, and over the past year there have been bumps along the way. The inactivity, the lack of posts (or in some cases, too many), the ever annoying trolls, and the occasional arguments that tend to get out of hand.

But I still see the same names who were here at the beginning of year still coming back every day, leaving comments, starting discussions, and making this site what it is. And I can’t express just how important their contribution is to this blog, and how we are all better off for it.

So whether you’re a daily visitor or the occasional reader, thank you again for your continued support. Let’s hope for a great year for your club, favorite player, and of course, the National team. And as promised, here’s my list of top moments from 2008, as well as some of yours as well. Enjoy.

*Best Game
The Olympic Final. The match against Brazil was arguably better and more exciting for obvious reasons, but it would have meant nothing without the gold.

* Worst or Most Disappointing Game
Take your pick – any of the 4 consecutive WCQ draws, or the 1-0 loss to Chile in October.

* Best Individual Performance
His red card in the United – Liverpool derby aside, I saw no better individual player over 2008 then Javier Mascherano.

* Best Goal
Sorry, you won’t be getting any objectivity from me here. Diego Buonanotte’s two goals in the Clausura final that gave River their 33rd league title.

* Breakout Player Award
Higuain, Di Maria, and Ricardo Noir a distant third

And for 2009:
*Predict What the Biggest Storyline Will Be
Without question, how will Maradona improve the national team through 8 rounds of qualifying. When will Tevez leave United? And can Messi stay healthy for the year to make his case for World Player of the year?

*Who Will Be the Next Big Player from Argentina
Again, Noir, though Buonanotte could be a revelation in Europe, assuming he isn’t a moron and goes to Qatar.

* Which Player Will Have the Most Impact
Messi no doubt, although if Tevez leaves United his absence will make a huge dent in United’s title hopes. Back in Argentina, Riquelme may be on his last legs with Boca, and rumors persist on Ariel Ortega’s return to River.

Here were some of yours:

Golazo

* Best Game
Argentina vs Netherlands in the olympics

* Worst or Most Disappointing Game
Argentina 0 – 0 Brazil for disappointing game
Ecuador 1 – 1 Argentina or Belarus 0-0 Argentina worst game

* Best Individual Performance
Mascherano in pretty much every game.

* Best Goal
buonattoe free kick

* Breakout Player Award
Angel Di Maria

Question I would like to post

*Most Underrated player
Maxi Rod

*Most overrated player
Cavenaghi

*Most essential
Mascherano

And for 2009:

* Predict What the Biggest Storyline Will Be
Tevez future

* Who Will Be the Next Big Player from Argentina
Brain Sarmeinto returning from loan to play for Racing

* Which Player Will Have the Most Impact
Garay

I would like to add

*Player to have break out seasons next year
Higuain

*Player to fade away next season
Riquelme =[

*Best player next year
Messi

*Surpise player to pop out of no where
Matías Delgado

————

MaxiLopez

*Best Game
ARG 3-0 BRA (without any doubts)

* Worst or Most Disappointing Game
ARG 1-1 Ecuador (all Basile games in general)

* Best Individual Performance
Mascherano

* Best Goal
Maxi Rodriguez (ARG-SCO)

* Breakout Player Award
Di Maria

And for 2009:

* Predict What the Biggest Storyline Will Be
Maradona trying to bring coordinated movement to our team

* Who Will Be the Next Big Player from Argentina
?

* Which Player Will Have the Most Impact
Mascherano

————

ajNYHC

*Best Game
ARG vs Netherlands – Messi’s through pass tore open the defense – like literally sliced open 6 players.

* Worst or Most Disappointing Game
ARG Vs Chile – We were decimated that game.

* Best Individual Performance
Riquelme in the earlier qualifying campaign with his amazing play and free kicks. But consistency goes to Mascherano.

* Best Goal
Any of Riquelme’s free kicks and/or Messi’s individual goal against Columbia.

* Breakout Player Award
Di Maria – no questions.

And for 2009:
* Predict What the Biggest Storyline Will Be
Tevez moving to Inter/Aguero moving to Barca.

* Who Will Be the Next Big Player from Argentina
Lucas Viatri – if he doesn’t end up in prison.

* Which Player Will Have the Most Impact
Messi.

————

Albo

I think that in 2008 Argentina didn’t merit any “best” tag in any field, except maybe their play during the olympic games and the excellent work of Javier Mascherano.

————

Debasish

* Best Game
Argentina 3 Brazil 0. I do not care about anything else. Have been waiting for too long, for that scoreline. As a matter of fact we also played a great tactical game.

* Worst or Most Disappointing Game
0-2 against Chile. I did not even make me sad. It looked we are standing up to get whipped.

* Best Individual Performance
Messi & Mascherano.

* Best Goal
Maxi Rodriguez against Scotland

* Breakout Player Award
Gonzalo Higuain

And for 2009:
* Predict What the Biggest Storyline Will Be
Tevez transfer & MESSI. Messi will rule 2009.

* Who Will Be the Next Big Player from Argentina
?

* Which Player Will Have the Most Impact
MESSI

————

Rune

* Best Game
-Argentina-Brazil 3-0(in the olympics)

* Worst or Most Disappointing Game
-Chile-Argentina…One of the worst games EVER

* Best Individual Performance
-Messi, by far

* Best Goal
-Messi against Columbia

* Breakout Player Award
-Angel Di Maria

And for 2009:
* Predict What the Biggest Storyline Will Be
-Maradona resigns and Messi’s injuries

* Who Will Be the Next Big Player from Argentina
-Viatri

* Which Player Will Have the Most Impact
-Mascherano

————

toddutah

* Best Game
-Argentina-Brazil 3-0 Sweet

* Worst or Most Disappointing Game
-Chile-Argentina… On a positive note it got basile out.

* Best Individual Performance
-Messi, Messi, Messi

* Best Goal
-Di Maria in Final Nice chip and most important

* Breakout Player Award
-Angel Di Maria

And for 2009:
* Predict What the Biggest Storyline Will Be
-Messi as the clear leader of Argentina and Riquleme not starting

* Who Will Be the Next Big Player from Argentina
- Lavenzzi on the NT level will becoem very important

* Which Player Will Have the Most Impact
-Messi Messi Messi

2009 will be the year of Messi and Barcelona. By the end it will be clear that messi is the dominant player of his generation.

————

munshi

* Best Game
Argentina vs Brazil – way overdue, made my year

* Worst or Most Disappointing Game
Chile vs Argentina – broke my heart

* Best Individual Performance
Messi/Mascherano

* Best Goal
Di Maria in olympics final – what a relief

* Breakout Player Award
Di Maria.

And for 2009:

* Predict What the Biggest Storyline Will Be
Maradona Messi fallout

* Who Will Be the Next Big Player from Argentina
Facundo Sebastián Roncaglia and Pablo Mouche

* Which Player Will Have the Most Impact
Gago

————

aimar 10

* best game
3-0 vs braazil, i wanted that one so bad

* worst game
losing 2-0 to chile they beat us in every aspect of the game

* best individual performance
definately messi, though macherano is more consistant he has the help of gago or cambiasso in the midfield. messi is more individualistic.

* best goal angel
di-maria against nigeria it is the goal which one us the tournament in those extreme conditions.

* break out player
lavezzi

* biggest story line
messi officially becomes the focal point of our team and not riquelme any more

* the next big player from argentina
i have so say lavezzi this guy has so much potential, he is just a joy to watch, if he can only start winning some trophies.

* the player with the most impact
macherano, maradonna has said he is the player who secured a spot, which leads me to believe he will play just about every game, therefore he will have the most impact.

————

day1star

*Best game for me:
Without a doubt has to be the 3-0 Argentina v Brazil game.

*Worst game for me:
All the matches that we lost in were bad but the Chile game was probably the worst, coz there were no excuses for losing.

*Best Individual Performance:
Hard to pick out one particular player.

*Best Goal:
Another one that’s really hard to pick, there were a lot of good goals scored in the past year. But the most vital was Di Maria’s against Nigeria, which got us Olympic gold.

*Breakout player award:
I think Di Maria, although Lavezzi has also been good.

*Biggest storyline will be:
The rise and rise of Messi, with Aguero following in his footsteps.

*Next big player from Argentina:
There are too many players who may become the next big thing to mention.

*Player who will have the most impact:
I have to say it’s a toss up between Messi and Aguero, it could be either of them.

Let’s just hope the next year is a good one for all our players, and Diego gets a lot of selection headaches.

So as before, please post your choices on the following topics:

* Best Game
* Worst or Most Disappointing Game
* Best Individual Performance
* Best Goal
* Breakout Player Award

And for 2009:
* Predict What the Biggest Storyline Will Be
* Who Will Be the Next Big Player from Argentina
* Which Player Will Have the Most Impact

The above topics are just a guide, please feel free to include any other points you wish. Your answers can include either national and club football, but obvioulsy, please keep it Argentina-focused. Have fun!

But there will still be plenty of football action over the weekend, so as always, I invite you to use this space for all your comments. Most eyes will be on the Manchester Derby this Sunday to see if Tevez can rebound from his current bad form, but Inter and Napoli face each other the same day in Italy, and if you have TYC Sports USA, Saturday’s Huracán vs San Lorenzo match in the Apertura should be a quality matchup between two hated rivals.

Thanks again for all your input, and enjoy the holiday. Chau chau.

Diego Maradona today released his list of 20 players to be called up for the November 19th friendly against Scotland, his first official act since becoming head coach.

At a press conference this afternoon, el Diez, standing between Carlos Bilardo and Julio Grondona, sounded quite confident in his selection, saying of the upcoming match against the Scots, “there are no friendlies, rather international dates where the prestige of the nation will be defended.”

When asked about what his expectations of the other men who will make up his coaching staff, he boasted, “Absolute loyalty. Iron strong. That they be ready to work and take orders from the number one head: me.”

One notable absence from the list below is Lionel Messi, who will not participate in the friendly as part of an earlier agreement between AFA and FC Barcelona.

Keepers: Juan Pablo Carrizo, Sergio Romero

Defenders: Nicolás Burdisso, Fabricio Coloccini, Martín Demichelis, Daniel Díaz, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Zanetti

Midfielders: Ángel Di María, Fernando Gago, Luis González, Jonás Gutiérrez, Javier Mascherano, Maximiliano Rodríguez, José Sosa

Forwards: Sergio Agüero, Germán Denis, Lisandro López, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Carlos Tévez

Your thoughts on the list? Excited? Disappointed?