Argentina: Wilfredo Caballero; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolás Otamendi y Nicolás Tagliafico; Eduardo Salvio, Enzo Pérez, Javier Mascherano y Marcos Acuña; Lionel Messi y Maximiliano Meza; Sergio Agüero. DT: Jorge Sampaoli.
Pavon on the bench again as Sampaoli goes for a 3-4-2-1.
Who knows what will happen but the midfield still looks an issue - that Perez comes in, when he wasn't initially selected, tells a story in itself.
Article looking at he dark story behind the 78 World Cup:
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/the-...nd-argentinas-1978/1k53qqcgt7r8q19xcawarwgsls
Article looking at he dark story behind the 78 World Cup:
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/the-...nd-argentinas-1978/1k53qqcgt7r8q19xcawarwgsls
I note the mention of only Kempes playing outside the country. I had a look at the squad and was surprised to see no Boca players among the 22, despite the club's Libertadores success.
EDIT: Tarantini is listed in the squad as a 'free agent' due to a contractual dispute at Boca leaving him without a club in the months prior to the World Cup.
It's a shame how it is ending for a number of players but that was shambolic. Even worse than anticipated.
Sampaoli taking responsibility for the defeat in the press conference. Again, though, he talks of not providing the correct team for Messi.
He apologises to the support who came to Russia. I saw a report that stewards had to step in to move fans away from the bench area as the goals went it - a bottle of water also thrown at the manager.
An apparent audio clip of Simeone talking to his assistant German Burgos has been leaked and reported in Clarin:
"What is happening now, it's what unfortunately has happened to the national team in the last four years," Simeone allegedly said. "Anarchy, no leadership from the staff nor from those that guide her... I see a team that is lost. The team is bad, bad."
"We all always say that the players are the most important in this game. But they are 60 percent, not 90 percent of it, because when the coaches say we've screwed up, it's certainly worse than when the players screw up. Then it means that the coach has a lot of say in all of this."
"Tell me the truth German [Burgos], the goalkeeper had already done something like that," Simeone said. "He did against Spain, he did it against Italy... and I told you that it's a pity that he was not scored upon so that they realise that if you screw up at the World Cup, it's a goal."
"We don't realise that Messi is very good but I clarify that he is very good because he is accompanied by extraordinary footballers," he said. "My question is: If you had to choose between Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo for a normal team, who would you choose?"
If true, that will create a shit-storm in Argentina. Although, to be fair, there is already one happening.
Article looking at the reaction to last night from the Argentine press:
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...croatia-nigeria-iceland-qualify-a8410986.html
Everyone is venting from Kempes to Ardiles on Twitter. In among Kempes' criticisms was another interesting point:
"They're all 'Messi's friends' but not 'Messi's teammates' - this is the difference."
Have you seen any suggestion of Messi carrying an injury or being ill? Perhaps, he's just become overwhelmed by the pressure.
Everyone is venting from Kempes to Ardiles on Twitter. In among Kempes' criticisms was another interesting point:
"They're all 'Messi's friends' but not 'Messi's teammates' - this is the difference."
Have you seen any suggestion of Messi carrying an injury or being ill? Perhaps, he's just become overwhelmed by the pressure.
This picture, during the anthems, says a lot:
Reports 'breaking' on Fox about the divide in the Argentine captain - basically the 'old guard' vs. Sampaoli with the group of players insistent that they should play together for the last time.
Tapia confirming again, though, that Sampaoli will remain in charge.
Been reading reports about this. Pavon's agent having to deny the player had a fight with teammates. TyC reporting Sampaoli is no longer picking the team etc.........Sometimes you wonder who has come out of this World Cup worse: the Argentina team or the Argentinian press?
The Argentines certainly love WhatsApp - Macri + Aguero communicating and various audios emerging including one where the plot to instate Burruchaga is revealed.
Pavon punch-up apparently with Mascherano. Pavon's brother at training today... with a photo of Mascherano. All is good.
A big moment for the AFA and how much they believe in Sampaoli. After all, this tournament ends the international careers of many and a rebuild is necessary. He has a contract through to 2022 and I read that it would cost 16 million to remove him now (I've maybe misunderstood that figure).
Can't wait for the post-World Cup conspiracy theories - we think they are bad in Scotland but nothing tops what will come out of Argentina.
Doesn't really matter what the figure is, AFA can't afford to pay up his 4 year contract. Only way he will be gone, imo, is if Messi decides he wants another cycle and vocally says he wont do it if Sampaoli is manager.
It would be very interesting to see the public response. I'm not sure Messi will be in a position to dictate any longer.
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the worst tragedy in Argentinain football history: the tragedy of Gate 12.
https://footballpink.net/2015/05/27/river-vs-boca-68-the-tragedy-of-la-puerta-12/
An apparent audio clip of Simeone talking to his assistant German Burgos has been leaked and reported in Clarin:
"What is happening now, it's what unfortunately has happened to the national team in the last four years," Simeone allegedly said. "Anarchy, no leadership from the staff nor from those that guide her... I see a team that is lost. The team is bad, bad."
"We all always say that the players are the most important in this game. But they are 60 percent, not 90 percent of it, because when the coaches say we've screwed up, it's certainly worse than when the players screw up. Then it means that the coach has a lot of say in all of this."
"Tell me the truth German [Burgos], the goalkeeper had already done something like that," Simeone said. "He did against Spain, he did it against Italy... and I told you that it's a pity that he was not scored upon so that they realise that if you screw up at the World Cup, it's a goal."
"We don't realise that Messi is very good but I clarify that he is very good because he is accompanied by extraordinary footballers," he said. "My question is: If you had to choose between Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo for a normal team, who would you choose?"
Documentary 'Puerta 12', trailer:
I haven't seen it and I'm only aware of it due to a La Nacion article today:
https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2146368...s-motivos-que-la-causaron-aun-son-un-misterio
From what they say, it appears to have been an unfortunate sequence of events. Probably wasn't helped with Boca fans shouting Peronist songs and a testy police presence.
As much as I admire Ronaldo, I enjoy watching Messi far more but it’s a valid question isn’t it?
As wonderful as he is, can Messi function in and lift an imperfect team the way Ronaldo can and (to an even greater extent) the way Maradona did? Does his particular genius always need a very sympathetic environment? I don’t follow Argentina the way drg and you do but it’s always been my suspicion.
It's a tough one as I think Messi is a better player than Ronaldo, (Maradona is still the best I've seen), but he has had a better collective around him domestically than Ronaldo has.
This may sound a strange one, but ultimately Messi may be judged on the failings of Higuain. From memory, I'm pretty sure Higuain missed clear cut chances at 0-0 in the World Cup and Copa America finals. Would fans be looking at his recent performances differently if those chances, and potential victories, had gone in.
Also, in the the recent qualifying campaign, if it hadn't been for Messi then Argentina wouldn't be at the World Cup.
The biggest problem for Argentina is that managers, Martino aside, have tried to filter everything through Messi. This stifles Messi, teams can counter this at the highest level, and the team (any chance of thinking for yourself is gone - give the ball to Messi). Whereas, Portugal know Ronaldo is the best player but there is better team framework.
This is before we get into the accusations (albeit there is a degree of truth) of Messi having an undue influence on squad/team selection. Couldn't tell you about the influence Ronaldo has on Portugal.
Also, Riquelme's birthday:
I hope I'm not accused of teaching my granny to suck eggs, but a search of La Nuestra took me to this article. The subject I'm sure has been covered earlier in the thread, but with the possible elimination of La Albiceleste a likely possibility, it gives a useful summary of the importance of football to Argentina: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....story-most-football-obsessed-nation-earth?ampYesterday, 12th June, was the 92nd birthday of the great River Plate goalkeeper, Amadeo Carrizo. Part of the great La Maquina side, he was also the goalkeeper the day La Nuestra died: the 6-1 defeat to Czechoslovakia at the 1958 World Cup. A great pioneer for how goalkeepers played, he was voted the best South American keeper of the 20th century.
I hope I'm not accused of teaching my granny to suck eggs, but a search of La Nuestra took me to this article. The subject I'm sure has been covered earlier in the thread, but with the possible elimination of La Albiceleste a likely possibility, it gives a useful summary of the importance of football to Argentina: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.newstatesman.com/politics/sport/2016/09/tainted-love-history-most-football-obsessed-nation-earth?amp
We’re obviously agreed on Maradona. It’s old guy talk again but anyone saying anything else is obviously wrong. Maradona could obviously put anyone’s lights out if given the ball in the last third but he could also hurt you from very deep in a way even Messi could only dream of. And he did it at a time defenders could tackle from behind and were allowed to foul with impunity.
I think the rest of what you say also makes sense. Trying to filter everything through him looks to have been counterproductive and the missed chances of others are not his fault.
That said though, I reckon Ronaldo’s ability to attack crosses and his manic desire to get shots off just translates better to an average team than Messi’s more refined artistry does.