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

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

You can catch it live on GOLTV at 4pm ET/1pm PT.

GROUP A
Chelsea – (1)
FW Franco DI Santo

AS Roma – (0)

FC Bordeux – (2)
FW Fernando Cavenaghi
DF Diego Placente

CFR – (6)
MF Sebastián Dubarbier
MF Sixto Peralta
MF Cristian Sánchez Prette
MF Emmanuel Culio
FW Gustavo Oberman
FW Diego Ruiz

GROUP B
Anorthosis (0)
Panathinaikos (0)

Internazionale (6)
DF Javier Zanetti (Captain)
FW Julio Cruz
DF Nicolás Burdisso
FW Hernán Crespo
MF Esteban Cambiasso
DF Walter Samuel

Werder Bremen – (0)

GROUP C
Sporting Lisbon – (2)
DF Leandro Grimi
MF Leandro Romagnoli

F C Basel – (4)
GK Franco Costanzo (Captain)
MF Marcos Gelabert
FW Federico Almerares
DF David Abraham

FC Shakhtar Donetsk – (0)

FC Barcelona – (2)
MF Lionel Messi
DF Gabriel Milito

GROUP D
Liverpool (2)
MF Javier Mascherano
DF Emiliano Insúa

PSV Eindhoven (0)

Atletico Madrid (4)
FW Sergio Agüero
MF Maxi Rodríguez (Captain)
GK Leo Franco
MF Éver Banega

Marseille (1)
DF Renato Civelli

GROUP E
AaB – (0)

Manchester United – (1)
FW Carlos Tevez

Villareal (3)
DF Gonzalo Rodríguez
MF Ariel Ibagaza
DF Fabricio Fuentes

Celtic – (0)

GROUP F
FC Fiorentina – (2)
MF Mario Alberto Santana
MF Sergio Bernardo Almirón

Steaua (0)

Bayern Munich – (2)
DF Martín Demichelis (vice-captain)
MF José Ernesto Sosa

Lyon (1)
MF César Delgado

GROUP G
Arsernal (0)

FC Porto – (7)
DF Nelson Benítez
MF FW Lisandro López
Lucho González (Captain)
FW Mariano González
MF Mario Bolatti
FW Ernesto Farías
MF Tomás Costa

Fenerbahce (0)
Dynamo Kyiv (0)

GROUP H
BATE – (0)
Juventus – (0)

Zenit – (1)
FW Alejandro Domínguez

Real Madrid (4)
MF Fernando Gago
FW Javier Saviola
DF Gabriel Heinze
FW Gonzalo Higuaín

With Argentina’s first group match against Australia Nigeria only days away, things are not looking good for Messi, with any decision in favor of la pulga will most certainly be appealed by Barca to the Switzerland Court of Arbitration. Messi’s father has confirmed that the player will give a press conference tomorrow, where he will reportedly announce his desire to go.

What are your thoughts: will Messi start for el albiceleste? Should Barca let him go? Check back soon for the answer. In the meantime, here’s potentially what Argentina will be missing should FIFA rule against them.

The Argentina WCB will be focusing a lot on the upcoming Olympic games, so please stay tuned for more in the near future. In the meantime, the latest mega transfer rumor is Manchester United’s reported $87.5 million offer for Atletico Madrid and former Independiente star Sergio Aguero. … An internationally friendly against Scotland was called off after the Scottish Football Association fielded complaints from fans who feared higher ticket prices to offset the nearly £1million fee to fly the albiclestes across the Atlantic. The game at Hampden Park would have taken place this November. … Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney gives his take on the influx of Argentine players in MLS, with high praise singeld out on Guillermo Schelotto and Marcelo Gallardo, though I would disagree that either have discovered “stardom” in the states.

Coco Basile will be starting the following:

Roberto Abbondanzieri
Nicolás Burdisso, Martín Demichelis, Gabriel Heinze
Javier Zanetti, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Gago, Maximiliano Rodríguez
Lionel Messi
Sergio Agüero, Julio Cruz

Though Mexico is a team currently in transition, they should present a formidable challenge to el albiceleste, and if recent history is any indication (Maxi Rodríguez in the 2006 WC; Messi in the 2007 Copa America), there could be some beautiful goals on display.

While I still question some of the starters (Cruz looked weak against Egypt, and until Carrizo is available, the inclusion of Pato speaks for itself), this should still be a very entertaining and telling performance.

If anyone is attending the match, please leave your comments, pics, and videos below.

Gregory Sica focuses on the poor start from Argentina’s top clubs participating in this years Copa Libertadores. While I think it’s a little early to call this years campaign a total disaster, I agree that teams, especially San Lorenzo, need to find a solution and quick if they have any hope of advancing.

In the Guardian UK, Marcela Mora y Araujo has an interesting take on young Argentine prospects leaving earlier and earlier overseas, and it’s impact on clubs at home. An interesting fact in the article:

In 1978 Mario Kempes was the only player in the national squad playing in Europe. In the 2002 World Cup squad only one player was playing in Argentina.

What match-up are you most looking forward to? While everyone seems to be calling the youthful Arsenal versus the experienced AC Milan as the best draw, for me personally it has to be the Inter Milan – Liverpool tie, and the expected Mascherano, Cambiasso duel in the midfield.

For a preview, please check out Episode 11 of the Offside Podcast, where we preview each game and give our picks. Also, I open the show talking a little about the Copa Libertadores.

Tuesday
Inter Milan at Liverpool
Real Madrid at Roma
Chelsea at Olympiakos
FC Porto at Schalke 04

Wednesday
AC Milan at Arsenal
Manchester United at Lyon
Barcelona at Celtic
Sevilla at Fenerbahce

Here are some brief notes:

* Diario Olé has posted what appears to be the starting lineup:

Ustari,
Zabaleta, Demichelis, Fazio, Escudero
Banega, Mascherano, Sosa
Riquelme
Higuaín, Lavezzi

* As for Guatemala, coach Hernán Gómez will be without two of his biggest stars, Dwight Pezzarossi and Carlos Ruiz, both out due to injury. Look for Gómez to field a 4-5-1; I’ll post their starting line-up once it’s released.

* If you’ve already purchased tickets you can see both teams practice tomorrow. Guatemala will begin their practice at 4PM, while Argentina take the field at 7:30PM. Gates open at 3:30. Make sure to have your purchased ticket in hand.

* If you can’t watch the game live on satellite this Wednesday at 10:30 PM ET, Telemundo will show a replay next Sunday the 10th. Check your local listings for the time.