Argentina’s World Cup draw preview
GROUP B
Argentina
South Korea
Greece
After a gruelling qualification campaign, Argentina have been handed a relatively comfortable group at the 2010 World Cup. Diego Maradona’s side shouldn’t fear the Greeks, Nigerians or Koreans with their vast resources. The only stumbling block could be if Maradona’s eccentric squad selections continue which is entirely possible.
If the Argies do manage to qualify in the expected top spot, their knock out draw is fairly kind if the seeded nations progress as expected. A probable 2nd round draw against either South Africa, Uruguay or Mexico would see Argentina as the favourites. In particular, a match against Uruguay would be memorable as the two are bitter rivals although they would be the biggest threat to a place in the last eight. The quarter finals would see Maradona’s management credentials tested to the limit with a likely battle against the Germans who always tend to sneak through to the latter stages of the major tournaments. Whether Argentina can progress any further with Maradona as manager remains to be seen.
ARGENTINA SQUAD
Maradona’s squad selection over the past qualification campaign has been so unpredictable that it would be foolish to try and predict his 23 man squad for the World Cup in June. However, here is a shortlist of players that are in with a chance of making the plane to South Africa. I have bolded the people that I think will most probably be chosen.
GOALKEEPER
Sergio Romero
Mariano Andujar
Juan Pablo Carrizo
DEFENDERS
Martin Demichellis
Nicolas Otamendi
Emiliano Papa
Pablo Zabaleta
Fabricio Coloccini
Gabriel Heinze
Emiliano Insua
Rolando Schiavi
Nicolas Burdisso
Javier Zanetti
Daniel Diaz
Walter Samuel
G Milito
MIDFIELDERS
Pablo Aimar
Ever Banega
Mario Bolatti
Jesus Datalo
Angel Di Maria
Fernando Gago
Esteban Cambiasso
Jonas Gutierrez
Javier Mascherano
Maxi Rodriguez
Lucho Gonzalez
Juan Sebastian Veron
Sebastian Battaglia
FORWARDS
Sergio Aguero
Gonzalo Higuain
Ezequiel Lavezzi
Martin Palermo
Lionel Messi
Carlos Tevez
Diego Milito
Lisandro Lopez
Gonzalo Bergessio
PREDICTION
With a vast array of talent at their disposal, Argentina should be capable of going all the way in South Africa. However, weaknesses amongst the coaching staff and problems in getting the best out of star player Lionel Messi will probably see them progress no further than the quarter finals.
Romero (Carrizo)
Zanetti – Samuel – Dimechellis – Angeleri (Heinze,Insua,Collocini,Papa,Otamendi)
Mascherano
Messi – Aimar – Di Maria or Guttierez (Gago,Maxi,Cambiasso,Veron,Datalo)
Higuain – Tevez or Aguero
(Substitutes)
i think if we have a solid back 4 and someone protecting them like Mascherano or Gago then once we get to ball into midfield and the final third we have a lot of inventive players that can make things happen.
Getting the ball to Messi on one side or Di Maria/Guttierez on the other side will cause any opposition problems as they have the ability to breeze passed defenders and produce a final ball to Either Higuain or Tevez or Aguero. We know Messi can cut in from the wing and either go on himself to score or thread a ball through for our strikers.
it all depends on our strenght from the back – as soon as Mascherano or Gago in front of defence getting the ball they have to get Aimar and Messi to take on the attack – releasing them early so that they have a bit of time is important.
Not that anything i say matters because Maradona will suprise us all and take whoever he wants to take – usually these players are players others say no to – its an Ego thing!!!
BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD WORST MANAGER IN THE WORLD – PROVE US WRONG WITH THE LATTER
I am a great of Argentine Football team. I wish they will win the world cup 2010. Argentina has got a strong forward line up. But their main weakness is on the back 4 and the absence of Riquelme. Who can replace him? Can veron or Aimar provide the passes to Messi or Higuain. Maradona please bring Riquelme back. If he is also there with the team Argentina will be atleast 30% stronger than the current team.
My team prediction.
———————- Ustari——————————-
Zabletta—-Milito——Demichelis——-Heinz
———- Cambiasso———-Macharaono——
————————-Aimar —————————-
Messi—————————————–DiMaria
———————— Milito —————————–
or
———————- Andujjar—————————-
Zanetti—-Samuel—-Demichelis—–Otmandi
Rodriques-Macharano–Cambiasso–Veron
————–Messi—————-Higuein ————-