The Vamos Albiceleste thread v2.0 **SPOILERS**

[deviant]

Japon tu padre China tu Madre!!!! :D:cool:

v/hK5RSeQRkv0

[Arg10]

Ugly game. I never want to see Demichelis, Heinze or Burdisso on the team again.

On a completely unrelated note, this must be what Diego dreamt about when he made the list.

http://i53.tinypic.com/23t5hts.jpg

:o

[west501]

I watched this and think the 4-3-3 is difficult to accomodate an enganche without wingbacks
And as much as he represents el pueblo, I think Di Maria would have been better on the left than Carlitos

Di Maria-Higuain-Messi
Pastore
Cambiasso-Mascherano

I agree that the backline needs some recycling and that involves throwing Heinze on the bench at least

[west501]

It's official. Batista confirmed as coach of Argentina (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9147671.stm). West501 can sleep soundly again.

That said. Feliz cumpleaños, Diego. Even though I know he would not accept it from me, one of his perennial doubters, I wished him the best on his 50th anniversary on Saturday and have been reminiscing about what he meant to me growing up over the last few days with the help of the great matches released in the classics forum (namely this one (http://www.fbtz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165395) and this one (http://www.fbtz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165264)).

'Maradona' was one of my first words and is the very reason I love football. I've had numerous differences with him through the years, but it doesn't change anything in terms of my wanting the best for him. I just also want the best for the team and hope everyone involved can move on to bigger and better things.

[Arg10]

It's official. Batista confirmed as coach of Argentina (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9147671.stm). West501 can sleep soundly again.

That said. Feliz cumpleaños, Diego. Even though I know he would not accept it from me, one of his perennial doubters, I wished him the best on his 50th anniversary on Saturday and have been reminiscing about what he meant to me growing up over the last few days with the help of the great matches released in the classics forum (namely this one (http://www.fbtz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165395) and this one (http://www.fbtz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165264)).

'Maradona' was one of my first words and is the very reason I love football. I've had numerous differences with him through the years, but it doesn't change anything in terms of my wanting the best for him. I just also want the best for the team and hope everyone involved can move on to bigger and better things.

Like you, I honestly wish him all the best. I think for everything he gave the National Team, he deserved to get a chance to coach the National Team. It just sucks that it went the way it did. Him stepping down/the fiasco with Bilardo and Grondona really seems to have hit him hard.

With that said, it's time to move on and Batista got the job. Hopefully we can win the Copa America and build a solid base to the team. Mascherano, Messi, Banega and Pastore. There's the whole issue with the defence that needs to be sorted out and I'm sure he'll make changes at some time, but the domestic matches against Brazil aside, we only have 2-3 matches lined-up before the Copa America.

Just as I did with Maradona and Basile and Pekerman and everyone who coached Argentina in the past, I wish Batista all the best with the National Team.

Here's the list for the Brazil match:

Goalkeepers:
Sergio ROMERO
Mariano ANDUJAR

Defenders:
Javier ZANETTI
Pablo ZABALETA
Martin DEMICHELIS
Nicolas BURDISSO
Gabriel MILITO
Walter SAMUEL
Gabriel HEINZE
Nicolas PAREJA

Midfielders:
Javier MASCHERANO
Ever BANEGA
Lucas BIGLIA
Angel DI MARIA
Mario BOLATTI
Javier PASTORE
Andres D'ALESSANDRO
Nicolas GAITAN
Jose SOSA

Forwards:
Lionel MESSI
Carlos TEVEZ
Sergio AGUERO
Diego MILITO
Ezequiel LAVEZZI
Gonzalo HIGUAIN

I've read from a few places that Dario Conca deserves a chance and that Brazil wants to cap him. I'll be honest, I don't watch the Brazilian league so I don't know how good he is, but if Brazil is willing to cap him, I say just give him one match to "secure" him.

[west501]

I guess Cambiasso re-aggravated his leg injury on the weekend
when are the matches?
tough couple of matches for the newly confirmed coach..his challenge imo will be to incorporated Pastore as enganche and get the best from him
D'Alessandro was disappointing vs Japan but I think he can be important and am glad he remains in consideration


Romero
Zanetti-Demichelis-Milito-Zabaleta
Banega-Masche(c)-Di Maria
Pastore
Messi-Higuain

[Arg10]

I guess Cambiasso re-aggravated his leg injury on the weekend
when are the matches?
tough couple of matches for the newly confirmed coach..his challenge imo will be to incorporated Pastore as enganche and get the best from him
D'Alessandro was disappointing vs Japan but I think he can be important and am glad he remains in consideration


Romero
Zanetti-Demichelis-Milito-Zabaleta
Banega-Masche(c)-Di Maria
Pastore
Messi-Higuain

The first match is on November 17 in Qatar. The other matches (both with domestic based players only) are home and away. The first match is in Argentina on December 12. Then we face England in February.

It's good that D'Alessandro got called-up again because to be fair, 95% of the team had a crappy game against Japan and don't forget he travelled all the way from Brazil to Japan. That's a long flight to play a useless friendly.

Batista announced an Argentina B team and some plans for the future.
http://www.mundoalbiceleste.com/Article.aspx?id=2144&title=a-new-era-begins

[west501]

It's good that D'Alessandro got called-up again because to be fair, 95% of the team had a crappy game against Japan and don't forget he travelled all the way from Brazil to Japan. That's a long flight to play a useless friendly.



I guess I just got used to Diego, jajaja. :(

[Arg10]

Samuel and Gabriel Milito are out of the Brazil friendly match. Samuel is also out for 6-8 months, which means he'll miss the Copa America. Otamendi has been called-up to replace them. :eek:

The draw was made for the Copa America and here are the groups.

Group A:
Argentina
Bolivia
Colombia
Japan

Group B:
Brazil
Paraguay
Ecuador
Venezuela

Group C:
Uruguay
Chile
Mexico (U23/Olympic team)
Peru

Our opening match is against Bolivia.

[west501]

Pastore scored a natural hat trick in the Sicilian derby (http://www.canchallena.com/videos/17701-liga-de-italia-los-tres-goles-de-pastore)
Varsky calls, though with an admitted sense of irony, for Messi and Pastore + 9 (http://www.canchallena.com/1325011)

edit: apparently we will go with Masche, Banega; Di Maria, Pastore, Messi; Higuain against Brazil, multiple injuries in the defence could prove important, but I hope for a great match, finally between two sides poised to attack each other

[Arg10]

v/t2oCUWe7Ejo

Future National Team star for sure. Vamos pibe. ;):)

[west501]

v/t2oCUWe7Ejo

Future National Team star for sure. Vamos pibe. ;):)

The term 'the next Maradona' takes on literal significance here.

[deviant]

west quien es este Juan Manuel Iturbe?

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/e7/fullj.8eed39dbb213526570337b6a7abfca81/ap-2bfb7a830f054128b58ee25843372bbe.jpg

[Arg10]

west quien es este Juan Manuel Iturbe?

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/e7/fullj.8eed39dbb213526570337b6a7abfca81/ap-2bfb7a830f054128b58ee25843372bbe.jpg

Iturbe is a long story. The kid is born in Argentina but grew up in Paraguay. He represented Paraguay for their youth NT (if I'm not mistaken). He used to play for Porteno (in Paraguay) but the club got into an argument with his dad over contract disputes. So his dad took him and left Porteno to join Quilmes (Argentina) but later on handed in his Argentine citizenship to play for Paraguay. Long story short, his dad really messed up the kids career (and he's only 17). So now he's playing for Argentina's U20 yet doesn't have Argentine citizenship.

He was part of the U20 "sparring" team that Batista took to the World Cup to train against the senior team.

He's really talented and he's being called "The New Messi". In the South American Youth Tournament so far he's scored 3 goals, 2 of which were Messi like runs.

BTW, that's not Iturbe in the picture you posted. :p

[deviant]

BTW, that's not Iturbe in the picture you posted. :p
Its neymar weeping isnt that better?

[west501]

Its neymar weeping isnt that better?

jaja It is...it is much better. ;)

Did any of you see the Portugal friendly? I was pretty happy with how we played after not being too satisfied with the Brazil match. Batista is doing very well with 3 CMs and Messi was incredible in this match, which cancelled the need for another big personality (Tévez) up front.
Any word on why Batista didn't cite el Apache or el Kun here? I have not been keeping up. I believe D.Milito was called up, no?

[deviant]

jaja It is...it is much better. ;)

Did any of you see the Portugal friendly? I was pretty happy with how we played after not being too satisfied with the Brazil match. Batista is doing very well with 3 CMs and Messi was incredible in this match, which cancelled the need for another big personality (Tévez) up front.
Any word on why Batista didn't cite el Apache or el Kun here? I have not been keeping up. I believe D.Milito was called up, no?
Yeah I thought they played pretty well it was the most "satisfying" performance from the Argentine national team I have seen in a while. The reason I say that is because everyone looked very much involved. Why no love for Di Maria? He looked excellent out there he was involved in most of the attacks and found the open spaces. I really like what Ever Banega brings to the team he seems to be one of those players than can do it all when needed (attack, defend, box to box). I still dont like Cambiasso he looked like he wanted to attack a little much when he should have been defending. Burdisso also gets a D IMO he looked pretty shakey at the back Garay has been excellent for us when called upon he should definitely be given the chance to play more. I think the CB position is probably the most vulnerable part of the team it seems like either they are too old or lack quality in that department.

[Arg10]

jaja It is...it is much better. ;)

Did any of you see the Portugal friendly? I was pretty happy with how we played after not being too satisfied with the Brazil match. Batista is doing very well with 3 CMs and Messi was incredible in this match, which cancelled the need for another big personality (Tévez) up front.
Any word on why Batista didn't cite el Apache or el Kun here? I have not been keeping up. I believe D.Milito was called up, no?

Grondona said a few days ago that the real reason Tevez was not called up was because he didn't want to travel for the Japan match/was giving attitude. Batista said the reason why Tevez wasn't called-up was so that he can try out different formations. Aguero it's because he isn't 100%. Milito was called-up but got injured.

[west501]

Yeah I thought they played pretty well it was the most "satisfying" performance from the Argentine national team I have seen in a while. The reason I say that is because everyone looked very much involved. Why no love for Di Maria? He looked excellent out there he was involved in most of the attacks and found the open spaces. I really like what Ever Banega brings to the team he seems to be one of those players than can do it all when needed (attack, defend, box to box). I still dont like Cambiasso he looked like he wanted to attack a little much when he should have been defending. Burdisso also gets a D IMO he looked pretty shakey at the back Garay has been excellent for us when called upon he should definitely be given the chance to play more. I think the CB position is probably the most vulnerable part of the team it seems like either they are too old or lack quality in that department.

I love Di Maria. Actually I think he is becoming indispensable both for the national team and for Madrid. Banega is also a very complete player. I am a big fan of clogging up the centre of the midfield with these immense talents. It is very much the Barcelona style but I do feel it leaves a player like Pastore looking for a role in the starting eleven. It's true we need some ideas in defence, but more than lacking quality I think we just have to go with a solid young guarantee defender for that role. It's different here than with the more form based attacking spots. We just need consistency in defence. Get Carrizo back in goal and build a defensive line in front of him and we'll be the team to beat in the Copa America.

[DSGB]

Get Carrizo back in goal and build a defensive line in front of him and we'll be the team to beat in the Copa America.

Lol. Your love for Carrizo is one of a kind. I just picture you 40 years from now... "If only we had used Carrizo....."

[west501]

Lol. Your love for Carrizo is one of a kind. I just picture you 40 years from now... "If only we had used Carrizo....."

I just want a boss back there. We need a strong personality keeper and central defensive pair badly!

Today they're talking about Diego going to coach Ucrania (http://www.canchallena.com/1355781-maradona-dt-de-ucrania). :p
I say he should train the Siberian U-17 side. Find the Maradona of the Gulags. :rolleyes:

[Arg10]

List against United States and Costa Rica.

Goalkeepers:
Sergio ROMERO (AZ Alkmaar)
Mariano ANDUJAR (Catania)
Adrián GABBARINI (Independiente)

Defenders:
Federico FAZIO (Sevilla)
Javier ZANETTI (Inter)
Ezequiel GARAY (Real Madrid)
Pablo ZABALETA (Manchester City)
Marcos ROJO (Spartak Moscow)
Gabriel MILITO (Barcelona)
Nicolás BURDISSO (Roma)
Nicolás OTAMENDI (Porto)

Midfielders:
Mario BOLATTI (Internacional Porto Alegre, Brazil)
Javier MASCHERANO (Barcelona)
Ever BANEGA (Valencia)
Lucas BIGLIA (Anderlecht)
José SOSA (Napoli)
Esteban CAMBIASSO (Inter)
Fernando BELLUSCHI (Porto)
Angel DI MARIA (Real Madrid)
Javier PASTORE (Palermo)

Forwards:
Ezequiel LAVEZZI (Napoli)
Lionel MESSI (Barcelona)
Nicolás GAITAN (Benfica)
Eduardo SALVIO (Benfica)

No Tevez, Aguero or Lisandro.

[west501]

if he plays with no targetman, may he try Messi with Pastore and Di Maria

good article by marca on Messi, the 10 who played as a 9 (http://www.marca.com/2011/03/21/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1300704465.html)

[Arg10]

http://www.canchallena.com/1363341-riquelme-bajo-la-lupa-de-la-seleccion

Román a la selección?

Thoughts?

[west501]

I don't know. I stopped reading after
El predio de Ezeiza vivió su momento riverplatense con la vuelta de Juan Pablo Carrizo a la selección !!!!!!!!!
:D:cool::rolleyes::o

In all seriousness I do think a last hurrah at the Copa America would be wonderful if he can cap his international career with a win in the final at the Monumental. :)

It would also force Batista to consider incorporating his position (ie Pastore) into our formation.

[Arg10]

Batista has released his lsit of U25 players for the matches against Nigeria and a team to be announced in early June.

Goalkeepers:
Oscar USTARI (Getafe)
Augustin MARCHESIN (Lanús)

Defenders:
Mateo MUSACCHIO (Villarreal)
Nicolas OTAMENDI (Porto)
Ezequiel GARAY (Real Madrid)
Pablo ZABALETA (Manchester City)
Marcos ANGELERI (Sunderland)
Federico FAZIO (Sevilla)
Emiliano INSUA (Galatasaray)

Midfielders:
Tino COSTA (Valencia)
Nicolas BERTOLO (Zaragoza)
Mario BOLATTI (Internacional)
Fernando BELLUSCHI (Porto)
Alejandro CABRAL (Legia Varsovia)
Diego PEROTTI (Sevilla)
Mauro FORMICA (Blackburn)

Strikers:
Pablo PIATTI (Almería)
Marco RUBEN (Villarreal)
Jonathan CRISTALDO (Metalist)
Nicolas GAITAN (Benfica)
Mauro BOSELLI (Genoa)
Franco JARA (Benfica)

[bigb0i13]

Does anyone think Gabriel Milito can get his legs back and be close to the player he was 3 years ago?

[west501]

I think Milito is past it. Batista needs to make an asserted decision and assign a defender who will take the starting role the way Pasarella did with Ayala.

What's up with those friendlies with Nigeria? Haven't heard anything about them!

[icho4life]

In all seriousness I do think a last hurrah at the Copa America would be wonderful if he can cap his international career with a win in the final at the Monumental. :)
It would also force Batista to consider incorporating his position (ie Pastore) into our formation.

You do realize Carrizo is only recently turned 27? Keepers can play well into their mid 30's so there is world cup 2014 possibilities for him.

[Arg10]

You do realize Carrizo is only recently turned 27? Keepers can play well into their mid 30's so there is world cup 2014 possibilities for him.

I think he meant Riquelme and not Carrizo.

West, you did not just compare Batista (as a coach) to Passarella, did you? Passarella had guts, Batista has... umm... a good coke dealer?

The friendly against Nigeria (and Poland) in early June is for the U25 players. It looks like Batista will evaluate some players and see whether a few should make the Copa America squad or not.

[west501]

I think he meant Riquelme and not Carrizo.

West, you did not just compare Batista (as a coach) to Passarella, did you? Passarella had guts, Batista has... umm... a good coke dealer?

The friendly against Nigeria (and Poland) in early June is for the U25 players. It looks like Batista will evaluate some players and see whether a few should make the Copa America squad or not.

This is correct. I was joking that I stopped reading the article after the news Carrizo had been called up again. :p
Those following this thread know that my support for Carrizo in 2010, 2014, and 2018 for that matter is not up for debate. Imo he is the best keeper we have produced since the days of Gatti and Fillol.

What I am saying about Batista is that he should just pick someone for center back, not necessarily the best one, but just go for someone talented and young and make him CB. The biggest sin of the Maradona debacle was the inconsistency in the team, constantly trying different players. That's what friendlies are for. But hopefully a tournament like the Copa America can finally see some players take on roles that they will grow into for the next world cup.

[DSGB]

This is correct. I was joking that I stopped reading the article after the news Carrizo had been called up again. :p
Those following this thread know that my support for Carrizo in 2010, 2014, and 2018 for that matter is not up for debate. Imo he is the best keeper we have produced since the days of Gatti and Fillol.


Mmmmmmm, I don't have nearly as much faith in Carrizo after that horrendous goal he gave up to Boca, but I thank him nontheless. :)

[icho4life]

well, since guardiola kept putting Mascheranoon as a center back, maybe Bastista should follow pep's lead and stick him the middle there. We don't have many center backs worth a damn, not even in the local leagues or international. Either too old, too nervous, or too green. or a combo of two or more of these attributes, (eg Samuel-Demichelis-Cata Diaz too old&nervous; Fazio + 23 more too many to name are too green).
Probably should look back to olympic team, they should come back, Pareja especially
And give Garay another chance, and hope he don't get another injury to miss the copa again.

Whereas we have a surplus of offensive wingers and wing backs, who can't play because our current coach doesn't like using them in his current preferred system.:D

[west501]

Batista's list of 26 (http://www.canchallena.com/1379878-sin-batista-comienza-la-preparacion-para-la-copa-america), 4 of whom who will be dropped for the Copa America squad

Arqueros: Sergio Romero, Mariano Andújar y Juan Pablo Carrizo.

Defensores: Javier Zanetti, Gabriel Milito, Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolás Burdisso, Luciano Monzón, Ezequiel Garay, Nicolás Pareja, Marcos Rojo y Javier Pastore.

Mediocampistas: Javier Mascherano, Esteban Cambiasso, Diego Valeri, Ever Banega, Fernando Gago, Enzo Pérez, Lucas Biglia

Delanteros: Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín, Angel Di María, Sergio Agüero, Carlos Tevez, Diego Milito y Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Will be interesting to see if he incorporates Pastore as a defender. :o
In all seriousness, we gotta win this for il nonno Zanetti.

West's starting lineup for the final:
Carrizo; Zanetti-Pareja-Burdisso-Rojo; Banega-Masche(c)-Cambiasso; Messi-Pipita-Di Maria

[deviant]

Batista's list of 26 (http://www.canchallena.com/1379878-sin-batista-comienza-la-preparacion-para-la-copa-america), 4 of whom who will be dropped for the Copa America squad



Will be interesting to see if he incorporates Pastore as a defender. :o
In all seriousness, we gotta win this for il nonno Zanetti.

West's starting lineup for the final:
Carrizo; Zanetti-Pareja-Burdisso-Rojo; Banega-Masche(c)-Cambiasso; Messi-Pipita-Di Maria
Why not Pastore instead of Cambiasso?

[west501]

They don't really play the same position. I think in Batista's scheme Pastore replaces Messi, Di Maria, or Higuain.
I really would like it if Pastore is able to make a spot for himself in the team during this tournament. This is his moment to shine as it could raise his profile to attract the attention of a big team in the summer transfer market.

Edit: Squad released

Arqueros: Carrizo, Andujar, Romero
Defensores: Garay, Burdisso, Milito, Zanetti, Pareja, Rojo
Mediocampistas: Zabaleta, Cambiasso, Di Maria, Mascherano, Biglia, Pastore, Banega, Gago
Atacantes: Higuain, Messi, Tevez, Aguero, Lavezzi, Milito

[deviant]

I wish Roman was Mexican :(
v/H2oZKIvSkWI

[srex]

Bring back Diego :p

[west501]

Hey all. Hope your respective summers and in some cases winters are better than what is going on at the Afa! :p
I hope for the best with Sabella. When is our first game with him at the helm?
Should be interesting to see what formation he plays with our players.

Also the tactical nerds over at zonal marking are drooling over el loco Bielsa's Bilbao. I will certainly be keeping my eye on them as they seem set on another long term project. I would hope that within a season or two they can end years of Barcelona and Real Madrid in first and second place (currently seven straight).

I went 3 months with no computer so now I'm back. Let me know if I missed any classics? Thanks!

[chauchey]

Did we get a new coach? I'm guessing Chile is looking for one?

The problem with argentina has been a good playmaker, playing the role of playmaker. They have Di Maria(great passer if they ever play him as such) and now Pastore, who I know very little about. But seemed to do well when he played. My starting 11 would be...

Tevez -----Higuain----Messi
----Di Maria------- Pastore---
---------Mascherano---------
Zanetti-G. Milito-Demichelis-Burdisso


I'd like to see them really start focusing on developing passers of the ball. Banega seems to be a good 'average' playmaker, but not a Di Maria or better. There's no clear cut "Roman", which was the last time Argentina looked convincing against top competition. I said before it hinges on Di Maria becoming a playmaker...but perhaps Pastore will change my mind as to the number of our options.

Do we have any friendlies scheduled in the next few months? I think there's a FIFA break in october right?

edit:
Aug 10 18:45 GMT Romania (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/_/id/473/romania) v (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match/_/id/315439) Argentina (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/_/id/202/argentina) Lia Manoilu
Sep 2 TBD Venezuela (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/_/id/213/venezuela) v (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match/_/id/322461) Argentina (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/_/id/202/argentina) Jose Encarnacion 'Pachencho' Romero
Sep 6 TBD Argentina (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/_/id/202/argentina) v (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match/_/id/322462) Nigeria (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/_/id/657/nigeria) Antonio Vespucio Liberti
Sep 13 TBD El Salvador (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/_/id/2650/el-salvador) v (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match/_/id/315452) Argentina (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/_/id/202/argentina) Estadio Cuscatlan (San Salvador, El Salvador)

[Arg10]

Hey all. Hope your respective summers and in some cases winters are better than what is going on at the Afa! :p
I hope for the best with Sabella. When is our first game with him at the helm?
Should be interesting to see what formation he plays with our players.

The AFA is a joke. Thank God Batista is gone and Bilardo as well (or atleast it looks that way for him).

The match against Romania was cancelled. Our first 2 matches with Sabella are on September 2 (Venezuela) and September 6 (Nigeria).

Also the tactical nerds over at zonal marking are drooling over el loco Bielsa's Bilbao. I will certainly be keeping my eye on them as they seem set on another long term project. I would hope that within a season or two they can end years of Barcelona and Real Madrid in first and second place (currently seven straight).

As long as Barcelona stays in first, Bielsa can have second place ;).

I went 3 months with no computer so now I'm back. Let me know if I missed any classics? Thanks!

Any classics? Well, for one, there's this...

v/SSZ3JVWDw4I

:p

Did we get a new coach? I'm guessing Chile is looking for one?

The problem with argentina has been a good playmaker, playing the role of playmaker. They have Di Maria(great passer if they ever play him as such) and now Pastore, who I know very little about. But seemed to do well when he played. My starting 11 would be...

Tevez -----Higuain----Messi
----Di Maria------- Pastore---
---------Mascherano---------
Zanetti-G. Milito-Demichelis-Burdisso


I'd like to see them really start focusing on developing passers of the ball. Banega seems to be a good 'average' playmaker, but not a Di Maria or better. There's no clear cut "Roman", which was the last time Argentina looked convincing against top competition. I said before it hinges on Di Maria becoming a playmaker...but perhaps Pastore will change my mind as to the number of our options.

Do we have any friendlies scheduled in the next few months? I think there's a FIFA break in october right?

Di Maria as a playmaker? No way. He doesn't have the footballing brain. It's either going to be Pastore or River's baby Lamela (well, now Roma's baby ;)).

The World Cup qualifiers begin in October, so Sabella doesn't have much time to experiment.

Btw, if you guys are looking for a good Argentine football website (in english), try this: http://www.mundoalbiceleste.com/

It's all in english, always updated, polls, a players section, a club football section, etc...

[west501]

I also love Pastore on PSG. I think it's a great move for him.

http://www.calcioline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pastore-Psg.jpg

I've seen el tano pasman, and imitate him regularly. Particularly when the commercials start. La puta que te parió. :o:o:p

[Arg10]

I also love Pastore on PSG. I think it's a great move for him.

http://www.calcioline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pastore-Psg.jpg


Dios mío, that shirt is like 10x his size. No wonder they call him flaco. :o

I've seen el tano pasman, and imitate him regularly. Particularly when the commercials start. La puta que te parió. :o:o:p

jajaja, you should see me during the matches. I was watching the Uruguay match with a Brasilero friend of mine... there were lots of la puta que te pario going around. Both at Batista and him!

[west501]

Lineup for Sabella's debut against Venezuela:
Romero; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Otamendi y Rojo; González, Mascherano y Alvarez; Messi, Higuaín y Di María

Good to see the return of Lucho and Higuain to the starting lineup, even if the latter is yet to win back the role for Real Madrid. You can talk all you want about the players, the formation, the desire to play like Barcleona, etc but it's really up to whether we can get some chemistry.
Looking forward to seeing Alvarez play. Let's see if Sabella invents a new player for this role.

[Arg10]

Lineup for Sabella's debut against Venezuela:
Romero; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Otamendi y Rojo; González, Mascherano y Alvarez; Messi, Higuaín y Di María

Good to see the return of Lucho and Higuain to the starting lineup, even if the latter is yet to win back the role for Real Madrid. You can talk all you want about the players, the formation, the desire to play like Barcleona, etc but it's really up to whether we can get some chemistry.
Looking forward to seeing Alvarez play. Let's see if Sabella invents a new player for this role.

Yeah, should be a good game.

Lucho has been so-so with the NT, but who knows, maybe under Sabella he'll do well. Alvarez is one that I'm looking forward to watching. He could end up being a real gem in midfield for us.

Would have dropped Di Maria for Aguero. Messi is now the captain, best of luck to him.

[west501]

Would have dropped Di Maria for Aguero. Messi is now the captain, best of luck to him.

Ah yes, that's right. I think it's a good move. For some reason Masche didn't wear it well.

I was very impressed by Venezuela's diminutive number 10, Yohandry Orozco. I hope he makes an appearance.

The match is curiously in India, where Messi and co are causing a furor. What does that do to the time? I feel I won't be able to see it until later in the weekend.

[Arg10]

Ah yes, that's right. I think it's a good move. For some reason Masche didn't wear it well.

I was very impressed by Venezuela's diminutive number 10, Yohandry Orozco. I hope he makes an appearance.

The match is curiously in India, where Messi and co are causing a furor. What does that do to the time? I feel I won't be able to see it until later in the weekend.

Match starts at 9:30AM Eastern, 10:30AM in Buenos Aires, 6:30AM in the west coast (Los Angeles).

The match is taking place in a stadium that fits 120,000 people... and it's sold out! :eek:

There are Messi posters/pictures all over the city in which the match is taking place.

[chauchey]

Di Maria as a playmaker? No way. He doesn't have the footballing brain. It's either going to be Pastore or River's baby Lamela (well, now Roma's baby ;)).

The World Cup qualifiers begin in October, so Sabella doesn't have much time to experiment.

Btw, if you guys are looking for a good Argentine football website (in english), try this: http://www.mundoalbiceleste.com/


Thanks for the site. On initial inspection it looks really good. :)
As for Di Maria, from a footballing brain perspective, you might have a point. But I was thinking that they could develop him in that position. Given his ability to place balls on the feet of running players, he's not far away. His passing ability was what fueled my hope when he was 19. Time is running short. Hence my hope for Pastore.
Can we agree though that Argentina's problems seem to stem from a lack of a clear(read good) play maker or two?

[west501]

Can we agree though that Argentina's problems seem to stem from a lack of a clear(read good) play maker or two?

I would agree to that. For some reason there was a removal of that role under, of all people, the greatest playmaker (but worst coach) of all time. While I feel Riquelme was past it anyway, we should definitely have given more room for Aimar and/or D'Alessandro. We may not have needed Roman, but we needed the role. Now players like Messi, Pastore, and Lamela look poised to bring the role back. But it really is up to the coach to incorporate it into the system.
Diego put Messi in as one man saviour, ie Diego's role, but Messi is a different kind of player who needs a team. And for all Batista's intent to play like Barcelona, doing so with 3 defensive midfielders, with Banega the only playmaker among them, was misguided at best, particularly when he'd used Riquelme with such success at the Olympics. Why not even try to replace him? Pastore must have played a total of 60 minutes under el Checho.
Having Lucho in is positive but let's see if we can't get Pastore in to run riot with Messi and co.

[Arg10]

It looks to be a 3-5-2 against Nigeria.

Sergio ROMERO; Nicolas BURDISSO, Martin DEMICHELIS, Nicolas OTAMENDI; Pablo ZABALETA, Javier MASCHERANO, Marcos ROJO, Jose SOSA, Angel DI MARIA; Lionel MESSI and Gonzalo HIGUAIN

Sabella's really experimenting and I like it. Better to do it now then in the qualifiers.

[matuag]

this happened at the game in Calcutta :o

v/RG-DjBtN0oo

[Arg10]

this happened at the game in Calcutta :o

v/RG-DjBtN0oo

http://i54.tinypic.com/1zp1tgk.jpg

Hahaha. Is that even legal? As in, could he get in trouble by FIFA?

20,000 fans showed up to watch the NT train earlier, each paying 13$ for a ticket. As for images, the NT's (well more Messi in these pictures) reception in Bangladesh earlier today:

http://i52.tinypic.com/35b72io.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/24pgdvd.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/3088bbn.jpg

A Messiah's welcome. :D

[matuag]

http://i54.tinypic.com/1zp1tgk.jpg

Hahaha. Is that even legal? As in, could he get in trouble by FIFA?

20,000 fans showed up to watch the NT train earlier, each paying 13$ for a ticket. As for images, the NT's (well more Messi in these pictures) reception in Bangladesh earlier today:


Yeah I think he's loved much more in Asia than in his own country :p

My friend from Calcutta told me there's a picture in the main newspaper of the city of security forces standing in a row with their mobile phones out to snap a picture of Messi rather than concentrate on their duty :D

[Arg10]

Yeah I think he's loved much more in Asia than in his own country :p

My friend from Calcutta told me there's a picture in the main newspaper of the city of security forces standing in a row with their mobile phones out to snap a picture of Messi rather than concentrate on their duty :D

I'm honestly not surprised to hear that, lol. He's huge in that part of the world. When he didn't play against Costa Rica a few months back, there was a huge backlash against the AFA. From what was said, the match in Calcutta was sold out (120,000 people). His popularity is just insane.

Well deserved though. :)

[west501]

Wow those are pretty amazing pictures of the Messiah in India. Would like to see more!
And I want to see the picture the linesman took. Incredibly low angle shot. :o:o:o

edit: Sabella has now won his first two matches as trainer. This formation was markedly different from what was started on Friday. I haven't seen either match yet. Has anyone seen them both??

[Arg10]

Goalkeepers:
Sergio ROMERO
Mariano ANDÚJAR

Defenders:
Martín DEMICHELIS
Nicolás BURDISSO
Federico FERNÁNDEZ
Luciano MONZÓN
Pablo ZABALETA
Marcos ROJO

Midfielders:
Javier MASCHERANO
Éver BANEGA
Fernando GAGO
Javier PASTORE
Nicolás GAITÁN
José SOSA
Pablo GUIÑAZÚ

Forwards:
Lionel MESSI
Ángel DI MARÍA
Gonzalo HIGUAÍN
Ezequiel LAVEZZI
Germán DENIS
Sergio AGÜERO

That's the list for the matches against Bolivia y Colombia. Demichelis and Burdisso versus Falcao...

[west501]

We play Bolivia on 11/11/11. :eek:
Would love it if we could somehow work a midfield with

Banega-Masche
Pastore-Di Maria

Sabella has done little so far to remove the performance anxiety that we seem to have at the international level.
Let's hope for some positive steps in this round before the 7 month break in competitive matches.

[deviant]

We play Bolivia on 11/11/11. :eek:
Would love it if we could somehow work a midfield with

Banega-Masche
Pastore-Di Maria

Sabella has done little so far to remove the performance anxiety that we seem to have at the international level.
Let's hope for some positive steps in this round before the 7 month break in competitive matches.

That better be the midfield.....no excuses, Higuain and Messi up front aswell. I dont want to hear about Lavezzi or any other muppet they think can play with Messi. Put in Higuain to use his instincts in front of goal.

[Arg10]

You're both right.

But it looks like Sabella is going with 2 different teams for both matches. The "B" team (or whatever you want to call it) stays in Buenos Aires to play Bolivia while the "main" team flies straight away to Colombia. They want the players to get used to the weather (the match in Colombia will be played at 4:00pm in the heat) and to avoid fatigue.

Pastore should have gotten his chance right after the World Cup, yet he hasn't. Maybe he'll play one of these matches, but whether it's with Messi-Higuain remains to be seen.

[Whoah10115]

Aguero has to be in before any striker. Though Higuain is deserving of starting as well, with Messi playing off of/behind them.

[west501]

Aguero has to be in before any striker. Though Higuain is deserving of starting as well, with Messi playing off of/behind them.

I still see Kun as a substitute of Messi and not Higuaín. El Pipita must start.
Too bad it looks like Banega is injured. Looks like it could be the knee.

[Whoah10115]

I still see Kun as a substitute of Messi and not Higuaín. El Pipita must start.
Too bad it looks like Banega is injured. Looks like it could be the knee.




I disagree. He's a striker. But like I said, play Messi behind the two. Higuain, then Kun, then Messi. Kun is your 2nd best player.

[deviant]

I disagree. He's a striker. But like I said, play Messi behind the two. Higuain, then Kun, then Messi. Kun is your 2nd best player.

I have yet to see a game where Messi and Kun have chemistry so its still Higuain and Messi for me. Kun is great no doubt but Higuain is obviously the better finisher/poacher. The rest can do the buildup, Messi, Pastore, and Di Maria is sufficient.

[Arg10]

I have yet to see a game where Messi and Kun have chemistry so its still Higuain and Messi for me. Kun is great no doubt but Higuain is obviously the better finisher/poacher. The rest can do the buildup, Messi, Pastore, and Di Maria is sufficient.

We can use all three (Messi, Higuain and Aguero).

In the World Cup, Aguero came on as a sub and all three wreaked havoc on South Korea. They scored two goals, BEAUTIFUL counter-attacking goals at that. I'd love to play those 3 and try and fit Pastore in there behind them somewhere. That would mean having to stick Di Maria on the bench which I'm willing to do and obviously trying to find the right balance with the team.

[west501]

We just need something to click. I don't care who it is (maybe excepting Jonas). I just watched that From the Sky Down documentary about U2 and feel like we're in a creative rut like they were. We have to dream it all up again and reinvent ourselves. We must bring the fun back into the game even if it involves making fun of ourselves. It will be by losing the fear of failure that we will succeed. Give the boys The Art of War or something!

No te estoy pidiendo 18 pases como en el Barcelona. Dame 3!!!
Vamos la puta los parió!!

[Arg10]

We just need something to click. I don't care who it is (maybe excepting Jonas). I just watched that From the Sky Down documentary about U2 and feel like we're in a creative rut like they were. We have to dream it all up again and reinvent ourselves. We must bring the fun back into the game even if it involves making fun of ourselves. It will be by losing the fear of failure that we will succeed. Give the boys The Art of War or something!

You would think with the amount of times this team has failed that the fear of losing would be no more.

The mental strength of this team is shot to hell though. It has been since I would say 2002. Losing the 2004 Copa final and conceding in the last seconds, the 2006 penalty shootout, 2007 Copa final, 2011 Copa... it's terrible. When the other team scores first, it seems like we're doomed. When we score first, we tend to win.

No te estoy pidiendo 18 pases como en el Barcelona. Dame 3!!!
Vamos la puta los parió!!

Easy there grumpy old man, we're not River. :p:D

[Whoah10115]

I have yet to see a game where Messi and Kun have chemistry so its still Higuain and Messi for me. Kun is great no doubt but Higuain is obviously the better finisher/poacher. The rest can do the buildup, Messi, Pastore, and Di Maria is sufficient.



That's true, but you've also yet to see them play with Higuain and Kun not being on the wing. And when you have a player as good as Kun, you have to at least try and see if it could work.

[deviant]

There might be a slight change in lineup now, Banega has been ruled out of action with an injury for a month. Its a shame because I really wanted to see both Pastore and Banega in the lineup.

[west501]

You know it's Pablo Aimar's birthday. Sabella should give him a call. :p:eek:;)

[deviant]

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/431002_10150782887399692_187440009691_12499254_771 611495_n.jpg

[chauchey]

So what did you guys think of the match today? Messi with a hattrick, great goals. I thought the midfield could have passed the ball alot better, but Pastore wasn't out there, neither was Di Maria. Kun played good I thought.

[Arg10]

So what did you guys think of the match today? Messi with a hattrick, great goals. I thought the midfield could have passed the ball alot better, but Pastore wasn't out there, neither was Di Maria. Kun played good I thought.

Messi with a hattrick was nice to see. You can tell it meant alot to him.

Aguero was great tonight too.

The midfield, Sabella really needs to work out. Sosa has to go (should never have been there in the first place) and Maxi shouldn't be there anymore. Lamela for Sosa and Higuain for Maxi. Play 4-3-3 instead of 4-4-2.

Garay and Fernandez were great in defense too. Hope they can form a good partnership.

[west501]

I didn't see much of the match to be honest, but from what I've heard/seen/read Messi saved us from a very mediocre 1-1. It's so funny how when we win and he doesn't score we complain about him playing better for Barça and when he wins for us we complain the rest of the team doesn't play like Barça.
All of that said, Sabella's treatment of the midfield worries me. He has no ambition of working in a traditional enganche and his Estudiantes selections, while not unexpected, make him look like a genius when he makes substitutions. Apart from the Messi-Kun connection, I thought Gago looked good at times. Disappointed Lamela, much like Pastore on other occasions, was an unused sub.
But honestly, what is a world cup but a match like this among hopefully 6 other wins?

Also, and this is much less of a jab at Messi (who is in my sig for three years already) and more of a tribute to an idol. With 22 goals Messi ties Passarella's scoring record for Argentina, and el Kaiser did it in roughly the same amount of games. Cheers to the soon to be broken goal record of Daniel Alberto Passarella!

v/T3-QejVvKnQ
v/zHNpyfKb04k
v/PagAxeZdUvg

[west501]

Taking my response here as it was off-topic for the Europa League Match Discussion Thread.

Damn, I miss Bielsa sometimes.

I remember reading that his first training session with Bilbao, it was like a huge fitness test where players were struggling to make it to the end. It's not a surprise that the team wasn't as smooth at the beginning of the season since it took the players a while to get used to his style.


I miss Bielsa all of the time. I remember the criticism of his side in Argentina was that they were 'too European' and 'lacked personality.' Nothing could be further from the truth. The period of time from 98-04 when Bielsa was at the helm of Argentina was by no stretch of the imagination one of the greatest sides of all time. You can't tell me Batistuta and his goals, Ortega and his well charm, or Sorin and his three lungs lacked personality. The explanations of our shocking world cup exit were also scathing, with international pundits saying that we simply hadn't faced opposition the likes of England and Sweden was ridiculous. But most importantly, the fact that Brazil won 2002 after barely qualifying, with a largely improvised squad, and with the seas of world class competition parting their way to a final against a German side with nothing but a keeper left a mark on our federation that we haven't been able to recover from. They basically threw in the towel there and we've had 5 coaches in the 8 years since Bielsa left. I root for Bielsa's teams unless they face Argentina or River, but it's still bittersweet for me.

[Arg10]

Taking my response here as it was off-topic for the Europa League Match Discussion Thread.

I miss Bielsa all of the time. I remember the criticism of his side in Argentina was that they were 'too European' and 'lacked personality.' Nothing could be further from the truth. The period of time from 98-04 when Bielsa was at the helm of Argentina was by no stretch of the imagination one of the greatest sides of all time. You can't tell me Batistuta and his goals, Ortega and his well charm, or Sorin and his three lungs lacked personality. The explanations of our shocking world cup exit were also scathing, with international pundits saying that we simply hadn't faced opposition the likes of England and Sweden was ridiculous. But most importantly, the fact that Brazil won 2002 after barely qualifying, with a largely improvised squad, and with the seas of world class competition parting their way to a final against a German side with nothing but a keeper left a mark on our federation that we haven't been able to recover from. They basically threw in the towel there and we've had 5 coaches in the 8 years since Bielsa left. I root for Bielsa's teams unless they face Argentina or River, but it's still bittersweet for me.

Bielsa's Argentina was amazing.

I've always loved Pekerman more, for different reasons, but Bielsa was demolishing teams left and right. Batistuta, Sorin, Ayala, Zanetti, Ortega, Simeone... amazing.

2002 hurt us I think more than anything. Watching us dominate in the qualifiers only to get eliminated in the group stages while Brazil had one of the easiest roads to a World Cup final you'll ever see was frustrating on so many levels.

Pekerman afterwards was a great decision. It was what came after Pekerman which was horrible. That 2006 team really had me believing we can go all the way. Maybe even more-so than the 2002 team.

Then you look at what Bielsa did with Chile and now Bilbao. He's an excellent coach, but it's sad that the European's are just beginning to realise how good he is now. People who follow the South American game have known that for well over a decade now.

Like you, the best of luck to Bielsa and I always root for his teams, except when facing Argentina or Barcelona.:o

[west501]

I didn't mean to gloss over Pekerman, but they are very difficult to compare.

[Magic_Red_Army]

in hindsight what do you think really happened with that bielsa's argentina in the 2002 WC? was it simply a case of tiredness? or something else?

for me I think expectations killed that team. Obvioously bielsas style requires an amazing level of fitness thats very difficult to maintain after an entire european season, but that surely had been anticipated by bielsa, and the other teams that beat argentina were facing the same scenario (england and sweden)

so what happened?

[Arg10]

I didn't mean to gloss over Pekerman, but they are very difficult to compare.

No, obviously not, they are difficult to compare. Pekerman built his team on the youth players he had and set it around Riquelme. I know it's not exactly the same, but it's similar to what Barcelona is currently doing (and other club teams like River Plate were doing in the past).

Pekerman had his team playing a certain style in the youth teams and by the time he was awarded the full team, those who played under him in the youth had him again and played under the same style. So it wasn't a real change in playing styles. And that is one of the things hurting our teams right now. Crap youth development and different playing styles between the youth and full team. There was an interview with Batistuta (I think in Ole) where he said we had to play the same style at all levels.

in hindsight what do you think really happened with that bielsa's argentina in the 2002 WC? was it simply a case of tiredness? or something else?

for me I think expectations killed that team. Obvioously bielsas style requires an amazing level of fitness thats very difficult to maintain after an entire european season, but that surely had been anticipated by bielsa, and the other teams that beat argentina were facing the same scenario (england and sweden)

so what happened?

I think a mixture of alot of things happened.

In-fighting and seperation of the locker room (Sorin and Veron). More on that here:

v/jwkGbPrUzzQ

Watching Veron walk to take a corner kick against England was disgusting for me. Even though I tried to cut him some slack when he came back to the team in 2007, I wasn't able to stand him since 2002. He was responsible for our elimination in 2002 and even 2010 to a certain extent.

Ayala getting injured, players tired, Bielsa going with Batistuta (who I adore) instead of Crespo (who I think should have been our starting #9 in that tournament), mixed in with no Riquelme or even Saviola. Take all that, sprinkle in a very tough group and a Michael Owen dive and you get the 2002 disaster.

[west501]

In 2002 the injury to Ayala was key. He was the Veron of the defence, and speaking of Veron (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBX6s4jVIa4), the lynchpin of the midfield was not match fit either. Ultimately I think we had an unlucky draw in the first world cup where 3rd place sides did not qualify. If we'd faced the likes of Costa Rica and China in the first round we would have had matches to set a rhythm, but the shock defeat to an otherwise average English side put doubt into our players. And it's difficult to say what was going on, but group A saw Uruguay and France (the two best sides) eliminated, Portugal shocked us in D. Spain and Italy, the only two sides that could have competed with Brazil in the round of 16 were eliminated well before the final. 2002 was in my estimation the poorest world cup of all time.

Edit: in a timely fashion Crespo speaks to your question in the audio interview here (http://www.cadena3.com/contenido/2012/03/20/94091.asp). He puts special emphasis on the world cup elimination in 2002, saying that it was special as we'd clearly built the strongest side. We were unlucky to face Sweden (he makes no mention of England) and despite having created opportunity after opportunity we were unable to capitalize. Sometimes you come up against a great keeper, or sometimes it's bad luck combined with a lack of finishing and the work of building a team during the qualifiers over 2 years is erased in 7 days. Things would have been easy with the qualification of teams like Turkey and Senegal to make it far, but it didn't happen. This is heavily paraphrased. You can listen to the interview in the link (http://www.cadena3.com/contenido/2012/03/20/94091.asp).

[chauchey]

I feel that Crespo has been the forgotten great of the Argentinian side. In 2002, he should have been the guy instead of Batistuta. I love Batigol, but he was a step behind when Crespo in his prime would have been at the end of the cross's. Against Sweden in particular. I can't believe they lost that game. A slightly aging Crespo paired with Saviola was our most dangerous dou in the '06 cup. Imagine what they could have done had Messi been allowed to play more often. The one and only fault I have with Pekerman, is that he made terrible substitutions. Riquelme against Germany cost us the game because we couldn't be dangerous without him. In the friendly against England was the same thing. As an aside, I believe it was the best friendly I've ever seen, even though we lost it at the end.
The 2006 side had me believing that with Pekerman and Messi we were going to win a cup soon. Maybe as soon as 2010. When he resigned I thought 'oh no...there goes our chance'.
I've never seen an Argentina squad more prepared. He prepared his teams as well as any coach I've ever seen, and that includes Pep. If we could convince him to come back I still think we'd have a chance.
Gabriels right, we need to play the same system from the youth squad to the senior team. It just makes sense in a world were you can't practice much together.

[chelsea_fan]

do i ever hate sabella and his estudiantes band!!, what a shame only picking his former players!! and some mediocre players like maxi rodriguez , the guy is past his prime. :mad:

overrated estudiantes band: andujar, desabato, m.rojo, c.rodriguez, brana, enzo perez, jose sosa, lavezzi!

8 f*#($#) players unacceptable!

this team will get rip to shreds by Germany again.

[west501]

I agree that this Messi + Estudiantes + 8 is not the right approach.
Aside from Lavezzi, who technically had nothing to do with Sabella in his short spell at the club almost 10 years ago, none of the Estudiantes players apart from Verón have much to do with the seleccion. Fernandez and Rojo maybe as subs because we're short on defenders. But not Desabato, and any of those midfielders. Sosa is a gifted player, but his career has stagnated somewhat.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for coaches bringing in their own, *cough* Passarella 98, but only when they're clearly the best for their roles.

[west501]

Great article about Messi (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1176635/lionel-messi:-remember-me-as-a-good-guy?cc=5901) highlights for me the importance of building a team around him, instead of based solely on him.

I'm not sure yet what to think about Sabella, and honestly, with 2 points separating 1st and 5th in the qualifiers, our place in the standings after the first half of qualification to 2014 shouldn't have too much bearing on how he should be judged. It's somewhat of a pity that Messi arrived on the tail end of a golden generation of players that we have been unable to repeat. That said, it doesn't take stars to build a great team, or even a winning team, as was shown by both Menotti and Bilardo. But I think to do either of those things, consistency is paramount. Sabella is racking up Maradona like numbers with his callups and variations on starting formations. I'd love to return to days where we have clarity in the starting 11.

[chelsea_fan]

Roncaglia,(ex-estudiantes) and Lamela, have been exceptional thus far this season.

i wonder if they will be called up. I hope so, drop maxi rodriguez and bring in lamela.

F.Fernandez is still warming up the bench at Napoli, he seriously needs to get a loan move or move to different club, or else i dont think its unfair that he gets automatically called up regardless of his fitness. :mad:
Fazio, Coloccini, would be two alternatives. even walter samuel has been quite solid this season for Inter.

Argentina have friendly in February against Sweden ( in sweden i think) and two Qualifiers against Bolivia(away) and Venezuela(home).

[west501]

This will be a vitally important year for the seleccion as Sabella's honeymoon period will end. I expect us to lose in La Paz, perhaps one sidedly. That will be a big test of the sides resolve.
I also think its time to see Lamela getting called up. I've been disappointed with what little I've seen from Pastore, who starts only occasionally for a Zlatan-centric PSG. But I think he should be called up for Sweden.

This was a depressing note on Saviola. link (http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1546171-saviola-me-falto-mala-fe)
He was the perfect example of a great player who left too young and he mentions this in the part of the interview where he ruminates on why he never got started in Europe.
Our youth system is currently broken as is evidenced by the current sub-20. Trobbiani is being scapegoated but is only one small part of a much bigger problem. I fear that Brazil, who are similarly dire, may have a greater chance to pull out of this because their more moneyed league holds on to its players. Hopefully they don't correct before 2014 though! :o

[chauchey]

This week has seen Buenonote come back to the Malaga side, and he was certainly their most dangerous player I thought. Hopefully he continues his form and the coaches take notice.

[chelsea_fan]

This week has seen Buenonote come back to the Malaga side, and he was certainly their most dangerous player I thought. Hopefully he continues his form and the coaches take notice.

one of my favorite, he has ambition, determination, and character, but its hard to see him break through the international team.

He needs more regular football, but pellegrini is using him more at malaga recently, maybe more opportunities next year, since Isco will be leaving Malaga.

malaga is in the round of 16 in CL, hope he can make an impact off the bench, than everyone will take a big note.

[matuag]

btw if somebody comes across his interview, please post it here:
https://twitter.com/ArgentinaFW/status/293158264735166465
Alfio Basile is the only man to have coached both Maradona and Messi. Tomorrow he'll give an interview and reveal who he believes is better.

[west501]

btw if somebody comes across his interview, please post it here:
https://twitter.com/ArgentinaFW/status/293158264735166465

I usually don't listen to Basile, but I thought the funniest thing he ever said was when he was getting a minor surgical procedure done on his throat: If my voice turns out like Buonanotte's I'll kill myself. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvZNl5r8AzI) :D