Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players 2011-2013 (Part II) [R]

I've said this before, but the Samuel situation with regard to the NT has always struck me as odd. He has been, imho, the only genuine world class centre half we have had for the last 8 years, yet he didn't get selected for the 2006 world cup, was injured at the 20102 w/c and then didn't get picked for the Copa (even though Milito and Burdisso did). In between that, even allowing for his injuries, he was very rarely a starter for the NT. In an era when we have not exactly been blessed with top quality defenders he somehow has been overlooked. Too late now obviously, lets hope we can turn up a couple of quality defenders in the next couple of years.

 

I'm Sure we won't have any CD problems in 2014. There are Garay, Fernandez, Otamendi, Musacchio, Munoz, Pezzela, Gonzalez Pirez, etc. I'm pretty calm about this position. We lack Full Backs. I see only Tagliafico, who can play on the highest level.

 

Hey single malt scotch drinking bostero - keep your facts and logic out of my sweeping generalizations ...

 

I have severe doubts with Otamendi. Hasn't improved in 2 seasons. Munoz is pretty lumbering unfortunately.

The others need first team football ASAP and exposure in the seleccion to make sure they are battle hardened and pick up experience prior to 2014.

Don't forget Matias Silvestre too. He deserves his chance as Campagnaro has albeit two years overdue.

 

As far as the goalkeepers go, again we are not exactly over burdened (unlike Spain) with world class goalies. So, yeah, in my view, Romero is the best we have.

 

Partly agree about Otamendi and Munoz. They wouldn't be my first choice, but don't forget, they are young and have some time to improve. Munoz could be used in some concrete situations. I remember he totally switched from the game Ibra, last year. Though Otamendi was pretty impressive last year. Let's wait, CB positions need age and experience if you aren't such pure talent as Pezzela is.
Totaly agree about Silvestre. He deserves to be tested on NT level.

Unfortunately Romero is the best we have.

 

Hallo tato.

It is a bit unfortunate in one circumstance the ages of these players. If it was now 2010 or those kids jad two whole seasons of league experience and more international caps 2014 would be a better prospect for us.

As it is I don't think we can rely on Campagnaro or others as they will be too old for the campaign and speed of the game. And these kids are still pretty inexperienced.

I think Andrada and Martinez in the long run are better prospects than Romero. As I said during the friendly for one thing he needs to learn how to distribute the ball accurately like Pato.

It is a vital aspect of modern goalkeeping. Playing in serie B isn't all that great either. That injury he had at Alkmaar when his star was rising seems to have impacted negatively on him.

 

Agustin Orion has been playing great for Boca this past year and a half. He'll be 33 next WC though, but that was Abbondanzieri's age at WC06.

 

What's wrong with Romero?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uy6Vo0TODE"]Sergio Romero "The Wall" [HD] - YouTube[/ame]


I don't watch the Serie B but I keep my eye on Sampdoria(for Romero and Icardi's progress) and it looks like Sampdoria have the 3rd best GA in the league. I also see that in the last 3 games they have shutout the teams. Also 6 out of the last 7 games they have blanked the other teams. Now, I am not sure how much that has to do with the defense or whatnot but it seems like Romero is doing a good job. Since the WC I think Romero has improved a lot.

 

Romero saved our asses from embarrassment at the Copa a number of times and has been really solid since the World Cup where he was shaky.

 

Agree about Romero. but fact is, that we don't have better keeper right now. Also, I'd add that he seems very poor in penalty shoot out. This can be disadvantage in play offs.
Now about CB-s:in 2014 Garay will be 27 years old, Otamendi 26, Fernandez 25, Musacchio 23... and if you remember, in 86 there were Cuciuffo-25, Brown-29 and Ruggeri-24 in defence... they didn't play a single game in World cup qaulies... didn't play much in friendlies as well... but they were very good durig the whole tournament. Brown even didn't play for any club... Defence is system making of which is up to the coach... And I believe, That Sabella will find this System... Won't be surprised, if we'll see on world cup CBs, such as Desabato is... Lets see

 

Romero is actually not bad at saving penalty kicks. He saved quiet a few while with AZ Alkmaar. It's just Uruguay's penalty kicks were perfectly placed. And I mean freaking amazingly placed. So he had no shot at saving them (no goalkeeper in the world would have saved them). Even ours. All of our penalty kicks (Messi, Higuain, Pastore) were very well placed. Just that muerte missed his.

Like Brandon10 said, Romero saved our asses in the Copa. If it wasn't for him, we would have lost against Bolivia and Colombia.

 

Uruguay had a game that went to PK shootout vs Holland right before the Copa. I believe it helped them. While they played Holland we had Albania.

Higuain's PK gave me a heart-attack as did Pastore's.


I like Romero, and as long as he stays firm, he will do well. I think soon he may end up in a Serie A team.

 

Damn that was good from Bilbao.

 

Hey, Cholo is doing a fantastic job at Atlético Madrid as well. Has only lost once since taking over. And that loss was to Barcelona in a close game, which Messi's free-kick won them the game. Atlético also won today as well with Toto Salvio scoring(he has found himself since Sabella has called him up). Plus Cholo being at the club does not hurt his chances of getting games either.

 

Ho, ho, ho.

Real shame Napoli didn't complete the clean sweep and knockout Chelsea.

Simeone has done a fantastic job since he took over at Atletico.

Man Utd were absolutely demolished, almost as big a schooling as they got against Barca on 2 ocassions.

 

Guardiola:

"Bielsa is currently the best coach on the planet. It will be a wonderful cup final against Athletic."

This after Bilbao once again ran rings around Manchester United in the Europa League.

He has managed to turn a dour workmanlike side with an emphasis on physicality into a fluid pass and move side within months.

I would love to see El Loco (his mantra works for me) recalled to the seleccion at some stage.

 

So would I, I think he would fare better with this crop of munchkins Argentina has at her disposal for the 3-3-1-3 he likes to play.

Whom would any of you have as the starting lineup for that type of formation?

I'm about to go for a run, so I'll think about it as I slog through the Florida heat, but initially I think this:

Romero

Zabaleta - Garay - Cellay (going to get killed for this LB/CB choice)

Lavezzi - Mascherano- DiMaria

Gago

Messi - Higuain - Aguero

This assumes that everyone buys in goes 100% in their defensive responsibilities.

Think we'd score some fu(king goals?

 

Messi being Messi.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslpT3QTGxQ"]Golazo! Lionel MESSI Sevilla vs Barcelona 0-2 - YouTube[/ame]