Pick your Argentina team for South Africa.

Ush1

Touching on this in the Rooney v Messi thread.

I think most people agree that something's not right as they have a large pool of extremely talented footballers that should have qualified far easier than they did. So what was the problem? Why can these players not reproduce close to their club form.

I would stick with the 4-3-3 with something like this:

---

Andújar

---

Zanetti-Demichelis/Samuel-G.Milito-Insua

---

Masherano----Banega

---

---

Veron/Aimar

---

Messi

---

Tevez/Aguero

---

Higuain/D.Milito/Lisandro

---

Could also have Lavezzi and Di Maria ready to slot in from the bench on either wing. Even Saviola is worth a look, doing very well with Benfica.

thorbarry

Ush1 wrote: »

So what was the problem? Why can these players not reproduce close to their club form.

When Argentina where playing the qualifying games for the WC, they selected more players than any other team, I think over 100 different players. I think its tough to add constancy to your game when you are constantly selecting new players. But, saying that, I read somewhere that when Maradona was a player, the coaches did the same thing. They would select alot of players from a large range of players, barley qualify for the word cup, then pick the best out of all the players, and do good in the WC. I think Maradona is just doing things like they did in the old days

dreamers75

Ush1 wrote: »

........

Diego?

Ush1

thorbarry wrote: »

When Argentina where playing the qualifying games for the WC, they selected more players than any other team, I think over 100 different players. I think its tough to add constancy to your game when you are constantly selecting new players. But, saying that, I read somewhere that when Maradona was a player, the coaches did the same thing. They would select alot of players from a large range of players, barley qualify for the word cup, then pick the best out of all the players, and do good in the WC. I think Maradona is just doing things like they did in the old days

Totally agree. But they reckon Maradona has a hidden agenda to prove to the rest of the world that the Argentine league is as strong as Europe which is why he picked so many domestic based players. Strangely when they got hammered by Bolivia at altitude, I think it was Peru who played Bolivia after and purposely picked all Peruvian based players as they would be able to deal with the altitude better and they beat Bolivia easily.

Ush1

dreamers75 wrote: »

Diego?

dreamers75

Ush1 wrote: »

Diego used 70 players in 11 games, wasnt sure if he was on here looking for tips :P

Ush1

dreamers75 wrote: »

Diego used 70 players in 11 games, wasnt sure if he was on here looking for tips :P

Haha, wouldn't be suprised!

Dont be at yourself

Their attack is probably the best in the world, and the midfield isn't far behind.

Glico Man

You do know Banega plays as a winger right?

pickarooney

DM, and I don't mean Mascherano.

Ush1

aaronh007 wrote: »

You do know Banega plays as a winger right?

Erm, no he doesn't. What game has he ever played right wing? Hernandez plays right for Los Che.

Gillington

I think that Argentina have the weakest GK of all the bigger nations and this could be their downfall

What about Cambiasso?

Smegball

I think Argentina will get knocked out early enough actually. Who is more likely to start? Aguero or Milito? The attacking players they have is quite amazing really, embarrassment of riches to say the least. The equivalent to Spains midfield.

Vokes

Here was the lineup against Germany recently:

22 Sergio Romero
13 Walter Samuel
2 Martin Gaston Demichelis
14 Javier Mascherano
6 Gabriel Heinze
15 Nicolás Otamendi
8 Juan Sebastian Veron
7 Ángel Di María
17 Jonás Gutiérrez
9 Gonzalo Higuaín
10 Lionel Messi


I'd probably go with that but replace Gutierrez with one of Tevez / Aguero playing as a number 10, and shunt Messi to his preferred right-wing forward position.

JPA

The fact Veron is in the team consistently means they will not do well in SA IMO.

Vokes

They don't really have a player of that ilk, unless they get Riquelme back in, do they?

Is Banega that kind of player?

JPA

Vokes wrote: »

They don't really have a player of that ilk, unless they get Riquelme back in, do they?

Is Banega that kind of player?

It's just the Argentinian need to have a playmaker in there when they do not have players of a high enough quality to fill that role at top class international level.

Ush1

Deleted User wrote: »

What about Cambiasso?

In for who? He has been a bit underwhelming this year also.

Ush1

Vokes wrote: »

They don't really have a player of that ilk, unless they get Riquelme back in, do they?

Is Banega that kind of player?

Riquelme will never play under Maradona.
Banega is more a mixture, combative and good passing. Fantastic player for me and has to be in the starting line up.

Jayob10

Argentina are gunna win the world cup. Its written in the stars. Maradonna is a one man soap opera.

Heres the team I would pick


Romero

Zanetti
Garay
Samuel
Ansaldi

Mascherano
Banega
Cambiasso

Messi
Higuain
Tevez/Aguero/Lavezzi (depending on form)

Higuain will be a crucial player for them though, very important he stays fit.

Argentina to win it out!!

Ush1

Jayob10 wrote: »

Argentina are gunna win the world cup. Its written in the stars. Maradonna is a one man soap opera.

Heres the team I would pick


Romero

Zanetti
Garay
Samuel
Ansaldi

Mascherano
Banega
Cambiasso

Messi
Higuain
Tevez/Aguero/Lavezzi (depending on form)

Higuain will be a crucial player for them though, very important he stays fit.

Argentina to win it out!!

So you'd push Banega foward? It makes sense, he's been smashing this season with great supply to the attackers at Valencia.

Bukman13

Vokes wrote: »

Here was the lineup against Germany recently:

22 Sergio Romero
13 Walter Samuel
2 Martin Gaston Demichelis
14 Javier Mascherano
6 Gabriel Heinze
15 Nicolás Otamendi
8 Juan Sebastian Veron
7 Ángel Di María
17 Jonás Gutiérrez
9 Gonzalo Higuaín
10 Lionel Messi


I'd probably go with that but replace Gutierrez with one of Tevez / Aguero playing as a number 10, and shunt Messi to his preferred right-wing forward position.

In most of the World Cup games I've seen Argentina play, Maradona has played a 3-5-2 formation.

Otamendi is a defender but has played on the right wing.

He plays 2 holding midfielders.

Maradona has said that the first 3 names on his team sheet are: Messi, Mascherano, and Gutierrez :eek:.

Higuain and Messi will probably play up front.

Leaving, Aguero, Tevez, Milito, Lisandro on the bench or out of the squad.

Jayob10

Ush1 wrote: »

So you'd push Banega foward? It makes sense, he's been smashing this season with great supply to the attackers at Valencia.

The thing about the midfield above is that all 3 can sit, and 2 out of the 3 (excluding Mascherano) can push on. I think Argentina will need to rely on keeping it tight at the back and being competitive in the midfield and the midfield 3 there will do that.
I'm sacrificing a Veron/Aimar for a player such as Cambiasso.

Banega is creative but hes a diminutive player, can stick his foot in too. And Tevez will work back too leaving at front 2 of Higuain and Messi at times.

For some reason, I think Rafa Benitez would be a great manager for Argentina

Ush1

Jayob10 wrote: »

The thing about the midfield above is that all 3 can sit, and 2 out of the 3 (excluding Mascherano) can push on. I think Argentina will need to rely on keeping it tight at the back and being competitive in the midfield and the midfield 3 there will do that.
I'm sacrificing a Veron/Aimar for a player such as Cambiasso.

Banega is creative but hes a diminutive player, can stick his foot in too. And Tevez will work back too leaving at front 2 of Higuain and Messi at times.

For some reason, I think Rafa Benitez would be a great manager for Argentina

Well I think any manager worth his salt should be able to get a good thing going with those players.

The potential of their foward lines is just mind blowing, if they could get them all playing and geling together...*shudder*

Headshot

Messi doesnt really cut it at international level compared to Barca, dont get me wrong still a great player but just doesnt bring his barca form with him

Ush1

Headshot wrote: »

Messi doesnt really cut it at international level compared to Barca, dont get me wrong still a great player but just doesnt bring his barca form with him

Name a single Argentina player who has brought their club form?

JPA

Headshot wrote: »

Messi doesnt really cut it at international level compared to Barca, dont get me wrong still a great player but just doesnt bring his barca form with him

Wrong choice of words there, doesn't cut it is wrong. The team doesn't make the best use of his talents is the problem.
However he was a star at the Copa America in 2007 and this upcoming WC is his first chance to star at a WC.

Headshot

Ush1 wrote: »

Name a single Argentina player who has brought their club form?

doesnt matter, im talking about Messi not anyother player, he never brings his club form to the International stage in recent times, maybe its to do with all the pressure on him but for a WC class player you'd expect better

Ush1

Headshot wrote: »

doesnt matter, im talking about Messi not anyother player, he never brings his club form to the International stage, maybe its to do with all the pressure on him but for a WC class player you'd expect better

Well he's played out of position for one thing.

Headshot

Ush1 wrote: »

Well he's played out of position for one thing.

he's played out of position for barca sometimes and does a fabulous job too


at one stage

argentina had a line up of

tevez

---

kun

---

messi

now that's his position but yet still doesnt show up

Ush1

Headshot wrote: »

he's played out of position for barca sometimes and does a fabulous job too


at one stage

argentina had a line up of

tevez

---

kun

---

messi

now that's his position but yet still doesnt show up

Fairly vague there to be honest, what game was that?
I've seen him play well for Argentina many times but doesn't get the quality supply as with Barca. As was stated, Maradona plays 2 holding midfielders and Argentina rarely dominate possession as a result. There is clear reasons why he is more effective with Barca.

Headshot

Ush1 wrote: »

Fairly vague there to be honest, what game was that?
I've seen him play well for Argentina many times but doesn't get the quality supply as with Barca. As was stated, Maradona plays 2 holding midfielders and Argentina rarely dominate possession as a result. There is clear reasons why he is more effective with Barca.

im talking about the times before Maradona

Alfio Basile was the manager

Ush1

Headshot wrote: »

im talking about the times before Maradona

Alfio Basile was the manager

He played very well in the Copa under Basile in which they got to the final?

Pro. F

Headshot wrote: »

Messi doesnt really cut it at international level compared to Barca, dont get me wrong still a great player but just doesnt bring his barca form with him

Headshot wrote: »

doesnt matter, im talking about Messi not anyother player, he never brings his club form to the International stage in recent times, maybe its to do with all the pressure on him but for a WC class player you'd expect better

It's silly to question Messi's ability or temperament in this situation. Diego is clearly a shìte coach, if they have any success it will be inspite of his influence. All the Argentinian players' form suffers when they play for their country these days and you're on here questioning whether Messi can handle the pressure? Me thinks you have an agenda.

Warper

I would like to see Higuain as the main striker with Di Maria and Messi on the wings. I think Di Maria is a star in the making and those 3 up front would be terrifying.

I would have Mascherano, Veron and Cambiasso in the middle.

Dont know too much their defense but Heinze is an accident waiting to happen and they should try for someone else there. I still dont know how Guiterrez is getting on the team.

pickarooney

Lucho Gonzalez could be worth a punt for the midfield/playmaker role.

Xavi6

Needs more Mad Zab

Jigga

Bukman13 wrote: »

Maradona has said that the first 3 names on his team sheet are: Messi, Mascherano, and Gutierrez :eek:.

Please tell me that is not true! On paper they have the most explosive forward line in the World Cup in my opinion. I'd love to see Argentina win the World Cup as with Maradonna manager it would be a good fcuk you to Fifa and Blatter who despise him but if a Championship player is one of the first names on the team sheet than I'm afraid its not gonna happen!

Bukman13

Jigga wrote: »

Please tell me that is not true! On paper they have the most explosive forward line in the World Cup in my opinion. I'd love to see Argentina win the World Cup as with Maradonna manager it would be a good fcuk you to Fifa and Blatter who despise him but if a Championship player is one of the first names on the team sheet than I'm afraid its not gonna happen!

Yea, from what i've read he rates him very highly. Maradona said he has no problem with the fact he is playing in the championship and that he will defo be in the Squad for the WC.

First 3 names on the team sheet!!! - Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/sep/04/diego-maradona-argentina-world-cup

Ian_K

Can somebody please tell me how Jonas Gutierrez has even been let near players of Messi's class??

eZe^

---

Romero

---

--Zanetti

---

Garay

---

Samuel

---

Heinze-

---

Cambiasso

---

Mascherano

---

---

Banega

---

---

Messi

---

Higuain

---

Di Maria

---

That team is good enough to win a WC.

Frisbee

eZe^ wrote: »

---

Romero

---

--Zanetti

---

Garay

---

Samuel

---

Heinze-

---

Cambiasso

---

Mascherano

---

---

Banega

---

---

Messi

---

Higuain

---

Di Maria

---

That team is good enough to win a WC.

Is Banega suited to playing that more advanced role of the midfield three?
Does he not usually play slightly deeper for Valencia?

kinaldo

Jonás Gutiérrez is class, and works his socks off. Far too good for the Championship.

Isn't it remarkable, and a damning indictment of Diego, that Higuaín wasn't picked for Argentina until their penultimate qualifier, and is now their first choice with 4 caps and 2 goals to his name?

The problem is clearly Maradona himself. Riquelme should be in the team but has said that as long as Diego is in charge, he won't be coming back - "We don't share the same codes of ethics. While he is the coach of the national team, we can't work together."

eZe^

Frisbee wrote: »

Is Banega suited to playing that more advanced role of the midfield three?
Does he not usually play slightly deeper for Valencia?

He was primarily bought as a DMF, but this season he has proven that he is a much more all around player, he's quite capable of playing as a creative midfielder imo, he's like........ em............ Deco maybe? Strong, aggressive, complete midfielder.

Frisbee

When you look at that as well it would have to be considered close to the best front three in the competition.

Who else could rival them? Spain? France? That's probably about it.

Unfortunately as long as Diego is in charge I can't see them winning it.

eZe^

Their front three potentially has ridiculous depth iswell;


Higuain
Milito
Messi
Di Maria
Tevez
Aguero
Datolo
Perotti (SO underrated)
Guitierrez
Lavezzi
Zarate
Lisandro Lopez
Maxi Rodriguez
Pablo Aimar

It's no wonder Maradona used so many bloody players in the qualifiers, there's too many to choose from.



Also, another thing I just realised about their midfield trio, if you want a more attacking threat you could easily go with;

---

Banega

---

Mascherano

---

Lucho Gonzales

---

Argentina have RIDICULOUS strength and depth in attack. Spain are their only rivals who have potentially forwards in;


Villa
Torres
Llorente
Guiza
Negredo
Navas
Mata
Silva
Pedro
Iniesta
Pablo Hernandes
Santi Cazorla
Diego Capel
Riera


This world cup is going to kick soooo much ass!

Ush1

eZe^ wrote: »

Their front three potentially has ridiculous depth iswell;


Higuain
Milito
Messi
Di Maria
Tevez
Aguero
Datolo
Perotti (SO underrated)
Guitierrez
Lavezzi
Zarate
Lisandro Lopez
Maxi Rodriguez
Pablo Aimar

It's no wonder Maradona used so many bloody players in the qualifiers, there's too many to choose from.



Also, another thing I just realised about their midfield trio, if you want a more attacking threat you could easily go with;

---

Banega

---

Mascherano

---

Lucho Gonzales

---

Argentina have RIDICULOUS strength and depth in attack. Spain are their only rivals who have potentially forwards in;


Villa
Torres
Llorente
Guiza
Negredo
Navas
Mata
Silva
Pedro
Iniesta
Pablo Hernandes
Santi Cazorla
Diego Capel
Riera


This world cup is going to kick soooo much ass!

Good call on Perotti! He's so quick and skillful.

CSF

---

Andújar

---

Zanetti---Samuel----G.Milito---Insua

---

Mascherano

---

Maxi

---

Di Maria

---

Aguero

---

---

Messi

---

Higuain

---

Very attacking of course, but you get the impression that any Argentina team that wasn't would be wasting a serious amount of match changing talent.

Panthro

.....and Franco Di Santo

Ush1

Cesar Delgado hasn't been doing his chances any harm this season either.