Is it arrogant for Argentina to think it can win the world cup?

I am well aware of the football at that time. Burruchaga played great, beyond what anyone expected, at the WC, but he never replicated that form with his clubs. He was a good player but was always carried by an exceptional one: Bochini at Independiente and Maradona with Argentina. His time in France is merely average, and there is a reason for that: even in a second-tier league at the time, he was unable to shine on his own.

The history of the rivalry between Uruguay and Argentina extends to nearly 100 years, we are speaking about a very specific and narrow period of time (85-89) when Uruguay was clearly better than Argentina, and only the genius of a unique player reversed what would have been a certain loss. Uruguay beat Argentina in two official matches they played following WC86: at Copa America 87 and again in 89. Finally, Enrique was not world class, Bilardo himself called him the "overall worker" type that he needed in midfield, implying he was no Ardiles or Cerezo.

I know you want to big up the River players, but here's an analogy: Passarella took to WC98 a team esentially made up of the River players that won the Libertadores in 96. Without a Maradona type, it went out at the quarterfinals.

 

You know what Pipiolo I think Sabella will adopt the same idea. Try and build a reasonably solid defence and work on the midfield a bit more and hope/plan that the magic upfront led by Messi does the business.

The way defending is going these days across the board this plan may very well suceed. Messi has not even peaked yet, di Maria is improving although Kun and Higuain need to develop a little more than they have.

 

Futbol is all about opinions.I dont agree about Enrique,Burruchaga or Ruggeri.Tell me who was better in his "working role" in 86 than Enrique.Burruchaga was magnificent for Independiente who in the eigthies were much more than a Bochini team.
What the hell has the River team in 96 have to do with Argentina in 86.Anyone who saw Uruguay in the 86 World cup and tell us they were better than Argentinais living in cloud cuckoo land.You try and make the point that Uruguay were better because of the 87 copa when Maradona played but interestingly absent thru injury were you guessed it Enrique and Burruchaga.

 

The answer to the question is no.

 

You need to watch the 86 game again: Uruguay almost equalized once Paz and Venancio Ramos came in, the two actually combined to beat the defense and Ramos was set up one on one with Pumpido but thankfully the referee whistled a marginal though correct offsides. If Argentina were so much better as a team according to you, how come Uruguay came within half a meter from tying it towards the end of the game? Also, Maradona pretty much single-handedly made that goal by Pasculli, so there is no evidence that Argentina would have managed to score without Maradona playing, so at best it could have gone to penalties where Uruguay would have to be favored, as Alves was a better pk stopper than Pumpido, and their shooters would have included Francescoli, Paz, Alzamendi and Da Silva.

The match in CA87 was lost because of the absence of Caniggia. Also, while their absence was indeed felt, Enrique and Burruchaga being better than their backups does not mean that either is a world class player, particularly Enrique who just isn't in that class by any stretch of the imagination.

 

If you watch all 14 Argentina goals in 1986 WC... 10 goals was assisted and scored by Diego, another 3 goals involved him in the process with only the first goal against Bulgaria has nothing to do with Diego. Plus countless wasted chance which created by Diego.

In WC 1990, Diego involved in 3 goals and Argentina only scored 5 in that tournament.

 

I never said Maradona wasnt important but you could make exactly your argument about Messi in Barcelona today but are u going to deny Iniesta or Xavi as key players?

 

with players like messi, di maria, higuain, pastore, lamela, tevez, arguero, lavezzi... they should be considered one of the favorites so no the answer is no

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Albi, various of your fellow Brits in the Twitter-sphere are hailing Zabaleta as the best right back in EPL.

I think Galgo could be more than servicable as a LB - he's tenacious, perpetually involved, clearly has offensive nous, would not avoid his defensive responsibilities. Colo in the middle with Garay or Fede - what the hell is wrong with that back 4? Nada!

Just give Arrogant Argentina the Cup now ...

 

you're still here? I see your still wrong. if you think Mascherano and Gago are average central midfielders thats your problem. the defense is average and improving.

so the question now shifts to, is it arrogant to act like you know a team when you dont? and already declare they will lose in the mundial when its still a year and a half away?

 

Since when did you pick up a coaching license ? Have you actually watched him play this position or is it the trendy thing to say ?

He has struggled in this position for Barcelona in reading the offside trap, has been caught out under the high ball and outmuscled a few times by bigger taller opponents. He isn't a central defender. River Plate's coaches are no fools and realized this and moved him to defensive midfielder and he is probably among the 2 best players in that position.

When Peruzzi and Pezzella come in they will strengthen the defence no end.

CC there is a paucity of quality fulbacks in world football. More often than not they can attack but they cannot defend. Zabaleta is probably the best fullback in the EPL.

He is tenacious and attacks well and gives 100% which has endeared him to his club's fans. He was again in the team of the week yesterday.

I think if we can get Peruzzi in at rightback then Zabaleta could slot into his preferred position of leftback.

I've already ordered the food and drink for the 13th of July and accompanying fireworks. I was thinking of coming to Brazil in 2014 but given the security situation there and the way Tigre were treated as well as the shambolic organization it might be better to give it a miss unfortunately.

 

Argentina can go very far in this tournament.
They have been playing very organized defensively. Look at a team like Holland in 2010. Their back line was not a defensive Juggernaut but they played well together as a cohesive unit. I guess you can say their Keeper (Stekelenburg) is much better than Argentina's but he was not experienced in big tournaments when he took over. Romero has a few games and Major tournaments under his belt to say the least.

I think Sabella is doing a pretty good job as manager and can lead this team far. Especially since the tounament is in South America.

 

Yesterday i was talking about Galgo Gutierrez, who i always enjoy watching play, always terrorizing the left flank. While the Maradona reign was forgettable, particulalry the placement of CBs all over the back four, i thought Jonas ripping forward and back down the left flank from his occassional LB position was one of the very few positives.

Peruzzi is the real legitimate hope out there.
Wherever Argentina or the US end up, i'm going to Fortaleza and relax!
Brazil's Northeast Coast = most underrated beaches in the world.

 

speaking about defense.... watching zabaleta for this season , he is fabulous in his position ... i will say he will be our new zanetti.... [feel free to disagree]

 

He's not that consistent actually, last season he was great for City. Against Newcastle last week he was solid but in Champions league games for example he's often exposed...against Saudi Arabia it was the same. But with his experience and workrate alone, he's solid player overall.

 

You're a troll and a very poor one at that. What are you doing on this board ?

Needless to say our very poor and flimsy defence is the tightest in current CONMEBOL qualification and restricted the mighty Germans to one goal and the other year we beat the mighty Portugual with relative ease.

Go and post on a tiddlywinks board. It suits your level of footballing knowledge you bitter Brazilian or England fan.

 

He is very solid. The best fullback in the EPL. That he has struggled in the CL ? Well so has Aguero and Tevez indeed the whole of the Manchester City side inc. players like Silva, Kompany have all underperformed.

 

Make sure it doesn't end up as the latest installment of Far Cry amigo. You'll have to run from Century's Best pretty quick......

 

Spot on. I don't think defences worldwide are up to much at the moment. I struggle to find a centreback or fullbacks that stand out above the crowd. Perhaps for once it may well be the side that can score most rather concede the fewest goals that will triumph.

 

Did you watch WC qualifier? he's good but not more than that.

Neutral always think German is a strong team and will win the World cup or Euro but what have they achieve since WC 90 and Euro 96? No WC, no more Euro... Italy did better despite looking sloppy and decent in qualifier.

England fans always think they could win it and they got world class players in all areas. Well, the only reach one final in any tournament and that's at home soil like half century ago.

Above the paper, WC 2006 belong to Ronaldinho's, Kaka, Adriano, Robinho, but did they got? You cant predict something that only happen once in 4 years. So, any country that has lifted the WC in the past, it's natural that their fans think they could do it again.

 

Is it arrogant for me to call this the worst thread on this entire forum? Well tied for first with "is it arrogant for Brazil to think it can win the World Cup?"thread

Is it arrogant for me to call this guy the worst poster on the forum?

 

I would say it's sensible.