Diego Maradona match career reports (1976-1997)

Discussion in 'The Beautiful Game' started by Vegan10, May 1, 2020.

  1. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    Friendly

    28/02/1979 Argentinos Juniors 1-0 San Lorenzo

    Stadium: Atlanta (neutral ground), Buenos Aires

    This was the last game of preparation for the Metropolitan Championship. AJ faced a first division Argentinian team.

    La Nación wrote: “With few spectators Argentinos undeservedly won in a poor technical game and very poor in goalscoring situations created (...) Maradona was shutdown by the marking of the defender Collovani (...)”

    The only goal arrived in the 45th minute from a penalty kick that Maradona converted, after his teammate Bianchi had been taken down inside the box.

    The newspaper also printed that Diego had received offers of 2.5 million dollars to play for Barcelona of Spain and that his club was entertaining the idea by listening to offers.

    Now the domestic championship was next.

    Summary: 1 goal (PK)

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  2. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    So to start the new campaign in 1979, Argentinos Juniors sold various of their offensive players that had performed discretely in the previous season: Ovelar, Premici, Castro, etc. In return they bought Magalhaes, Moreno, Rodriguez and several other low profile names from Argentina’s first division. The manager had also been changed. The Brazilian Delem had been placed in charge.

    Suffice to say, not much of an upgrade had been made for the upcoming season.

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  3. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    The 1979 Metropolitan Championship changed formats this year. It was played in two separate sections of groups of A and B with home/away contests. 18 rounds per group and AJ was in group A. The top two of each group would advance to a semifinal round. It was a competition that lasted from early March to late August with the final rounds included.

    There would be lots of controversy for AJ on the way.

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  4. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    Just to add, in the 1978 Metropolitan Championship, the British World Soccer magazine provided their own final recap of that season. The most important part is how some views vary with the top goalscoring. While there was no doubt Maradona led the scoring charts, some sources claimed it was a joint effort with Andreuchi, but World Soccer, like some other sources, had Diego at the top by one goal of a difference. Another point is that the league had an average of 2.5 goals in that season, according to World Soccer.

    It said this about Maradona’s performance throughout that campaign: “seventeen-year-old Maradona never seemed to disappear from the game as other leading stars are apt to do, even when marked by two to three players which often was the case. Apart from organizing play, he found time to become the championship’s top scorer with 22 goals (exactly a third of his team’s goals) and he was chiefly responsible for putting his modest team into an honorable fifth place (...)”

    Needless to say, had he not missed 9 league games it’s probable the team would have ended on the podium.

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  5. MJWizards

    MJWizards Member

    Aug 17, 2019
    Cant wait for Metropolitano 1979!
     
  6. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    #306 Vegan10, Oct 15, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2020
    Metropolitan Championship 1979

    Round 1

    05/03/1979 Unión (Santa Fe) 1-1 Argentinos Juniors

    Stadium: Unión (Santa Fe)

    Field condition: very good

    La Nación headlined: “In opaque match Unión drew with Argentinos”

    “The field notably heavy due to the rain, determined a fight with scarce attraction. Unión entered with one sole objective: to isolate Maradona and for that assigned Alberto to stop him. The marker used all means — not always correct — to stop one of the best footballers, not withstanding such tight marking, he still managed to pull out applause from the fans that enjoy the good game.”

    El Gráfico
    “The game was played because the field of Unión was good at resisting the rain. And at times the game was not played well (...) Maradona did not come in contact that much with the ball, although every time he did he was stopped by infractions. In the second half Maradona played as a number 9 forward, Moreno worked as midfielder and Unión — moving up — forced various chances. They scored towards the end but it was not enough. Minutti then leveled”

    What stands out from the start of this season is how poor the frontline of Argentinos continues to be. With no quality striker up front, Maradona had been forced to operate as the team’s center-forward.

    Diego played a good match, rated a 7 by El Gráfico.

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  7. JoCryuff98

    JoCryuff98 Member+

    Barcelona
    Netherlands
    Jan 3, 2018
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    Young Maradona dribbled more similarly to Messi than he did in his peak.
     
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  8. MJWizards

    MJWizards Member

    Aug 17, 2019
    I always felt like Young Maradona preinjury was more entertaining...one could argue that he was never the same after the injury. Yes it sounds crazy i know...what do you think @Vegan10 ?
     
  9. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    There was a certain physical agility that comes with youth and then the mentality of having the ambition to achieve greatness. All of that when he was younger and still not involved with recreational drugs. At the same time once he got severely injured and had two metal screws permanently implanted to hold his tendons together, I would assume that certain flexibility was lost, but I’m not an expert on the subject.
     
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  10. Trachta10

    Trachta10 Member+

    Apr 25, 2016
    Club:
    CA Boca Juniors
    I love this videos





     
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  11. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    #311 Vegan10, Oct 16, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2020
    Metropolitan Championship 1979

    Round 2

    11/03/1979 Argentinos Juniors 1-5 Racing

    Stadium: La Paternal, Argentinos Juniors

    Field condition: good

    The teacher vs the student: Sivori coaching against Maradona

    Enrique Omar Sivori had to watch from the stands as his team thumped Argentinos by a resounding scoreline. Although the result had been somewhat exaggerated, decided in the last 15 minutes, with Racing considered the superior team, more compact and more talented.

    El Gráfico
    “The final minutes put conceptual justice to a result that was without a doubt “exaggerated” in its generosity. Because the superiority of the visiting team, with the tranquility that goalkeeper Cejas brings, aided by their defense and the sobriety of Olarticoechea, was less resounding on the pitch than in the result. Maradona maintained the result level for most of the game, but a single man can rarely beat a team, no matter how immature he is”

    “There was 15 minutes remaining when Maradona pushed the defender Moullia, won the ball and was fouled inside the box by Olarticoechea. Penalty, goal and level; a reward for the ingenious and skill of a player — the same Maradona — that searched for his goal since the start of the second half, with the fundamentals of his sidestep runs, his chips, his first touches that turn his opponents inside and out around the field, his physical strength and his shame without concessions (...)

    “Everyone waiting for the indefatigable genius of Maradona, that did lots of things, some brilliant, but ended a victim of his own loneliness little by little derived in nervousness”

    “Maradona was the gift of the afternoon, because he showed once again the qualities that distinguish him from other talents of our football: when things go his way — which is the majority of times — he is unique and unmistakable; when things don’t go his way, he’s useful because he fights for the team. One against him: he shouldn’t applaud cynically the official, as he did once the match ended (...)

    Sivori after the game said: “It became complicated because Maradona went up front as forward and he’s very skilled. We had no outlet. But that penalty that was not clear was a psychological factor in favor, like a spiritual smack. That’s when we grew and things got easier”

    Diego played a very good match, with the grade of an 8 from El Gráfico and a good performance with a 7 from Goles. But it was becoming evident that Maradona was being portrayed as a Lone Ranger, that he would need to carry all the offensive weight because the forward line had been substandard.

    Summary: 1 goal (PK)

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  12. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
  13. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    Metropolitan Championship 1979

    Round 3

    18/03/1979 Velez Sarsfield 1-3 Argentinos Juniors

    Stadium: Velez Sarsfield

    Field condition: regular

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    La Nación headlined: “Maradona: 2 goals and a brilliant performance”

    The first goal from Diego was scored from 30 meters out after 32 minutes. A few minutes later Velez leveled. Right after the half Maradona scored his second goal after beating 4 defenders and then deep in the game had Ischia sent off after a violent challenge when he was on his way towards goal.

    El Gráfico
    “With the permanent offensive attacks Argentinos destroyed a slow Velez side, disorganized at the back and lacking a defined criteria in attack. The fundamental factor of the win for the visiting side was the inexhaustible genius of Diego Maradona, who once again, showed his joyful football and besides productivity, waking the applause not only from his people but from the local fans. Velez renounced to continue “bouncing” against the defensive wall of the visiting red side and their desperation to stop the counterattacks from the Paternal team”

    For the fans that are into trivia, the second goal of Maradona goes into his catalogue of “Maradoniano” solo efforts, with 4 defenders of Velez Sarsfield beaten before he scored.

    Diego had an excellent performance and was rated man of the match with a 9 from El Gráfico.

    Summary: 2 goals

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  14. JoCryuff98

    JoCryuff98 Member+

    Barcelona
    Netherlands
    Jan 3, 2018
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    Obviously the title here is hyperbolic, but Maradona’s defending and workrate is underrated
     
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  15. MJWizards

    MJWizards Member

    Aug 17, 2019
    Matigol made some amazing stuff
     
  16. JoCryuff98

    JoCryuff98 Member+

    Barcelona
    Netherlands
    Jan 3, 2018
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    Matigol and Barbosa Football vidoes makes the best compilations I’ve seen.
     
  17. msioux75

    msioux75 Member+

    Jan 8, 2006
    Lima, Peru
    Better than Messi, for sure.

    hehehe
     
  18. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    Metropolitan Championship 1979

    Round 4

    25/03/1979 Platense 1-2 Argentinos Juniors

    Stadium: Atlanta (Platense were local)

    Field condition: regular

    La Nación headlined: “Argentinos, more fortunate”

    “Dull, fought, without clarity and imagination, without surprise, with errors. That was the match. Platense, conscious about their limitations, directed their primary objective in the annihilation of Maradona. For that job Percini, normally an offensive midfielder, did almost an impeccable job. He shadowed without hitting him once, all over the pitch against the virtuoso midfielder, who could not display his normal share of inspiration and skill. Argentinos, besides Maradona, does not have anyone else with many ideas (...)

    El Gráfico
    “Only a few chances of emotion (born from defensive errors) were not enough for a good spectacle. Platense with better intentions from the beginning, lacked a man to finish off their sporadic attacks. Argentinos (orphan of Maradona, well marked by Picerni in the first half) speculated launching long ball to Favret (too alone) and later waited for their opponent to make mistakes to take advantage. The “Olympic goal” (corner kick) from the number seven of Argentinos appeared to wake up the home side, which attacked with more strength but always missed. Then appeared what all expected: the gambeta (dribble crossovers) of Maradona, who undid the backline of Platense’s defense and obtained the goal of the tranquility”

    Maradona was rated the man of the match, graded with a good performance of a 7 from El Gráfico.

    It also must be stated that although Maradona had received the captaincy various times, still the seniority of goalkeeper Munutti had the edge over him in that regard.

    Summary: 1 goal

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  19. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    Metropolitan Championship 1979

    Round 5

    01/04/1979 Argentinos Juniors 1-0 Newell’s Old Boys

    Stadium: La Paternal, Argentinos Juniors

    Field condition: poor

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    El Gráfico
    “The expectations prior to the match of a good game went diminishing over time. The only spectacle was when Diego Armando Maradona could showcase his talents despite an injury he obtained in training which impeded him of producing more magic. A genius play of him signified the victory. He controlled the ball with his hand as appeared from above, but the action did not take away from the lustre of the previous play. Newell’s were not able to find ways to goal and when they did goalkeeper Munutti was in the way”

    Goles rated Diego with a very good performance with an 8 and El Gráfico with a good 7.

    Summary: 1 goal (was shades of the “hand of God” involved ?)

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  20. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    Metropolitan Championship 1979

    Round 6

    08/04/1979 Huracán 1-3 Argentinos Juniors

    Stadium: Huracán

    Field condition: Good

    El Gráfico headlined: “Argentinos by the hand of Maradona”

    The legendary 1940-50s retired Huracán forward and of the Argentinian NT, Norberto “Tucho” Mendez, was in the stands to witness his former club take on Maradona. Asked what he thought of Diego, he replied: “This kid could have played in my era and after. He brings me great joy because he has all the daring of a football that is more amateur, less professional than these days. He has it all even the stamp of a crack. Check that balanced physique, in those classical movements. But you know what is his greatest virtue? That he goes forward, he attacks at the heart of the defense and they don’t like that. Besides they kick him and he doesn’t fold. I see him play and it brings me back to the days playing on the streets. I may be getting old but I don’t care, that’s what I like.”

    “Argentinos was leading 2-0, when after 70 minutes a long high ball was controlled by Maradona with his backheel, and when he brought it down under control, he hooked it to his right leaving the defender Galván kicking air. “What amazement what he did ! This kid is ours”, said Tucho Mendez.

    Argentinos would go on to win 3-1 with Maradona’s prints all over the goals, with a direct assist in the second from a free kick.

    El Gráfico
    “Taken from the hand of Maradona, perfectly accompanied by Saggioratto, Argentinos established a superiority that didn’t break even in the second period when Huracán went on the attack. The absence of special marking assignments facilitated actions from both sides which made the game attractive (...)”

    El Gráfico captioned: “The left foot of Maradona carries the ball tied to his boot. Cheves and Galván suffer his play. All Huracán paid heavy price of his virtues of his incantation. Argentinos today is the first place team in their group A.”

    Maradona played a very good game with the grade of an 8 and was El Gráfico’s man of the match.

    Summary: 1 assist

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  21. poetgooner

    poetgooner Member+

    Arsenal
    Nov 20, 2014
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    This is such a cool quote to me.

    As an Arsenal fan who witnessed Fabregas' entire career with us, I've always found it fascinating when a u-20 player can establish himself as the undisputed best player of a good team, and how that affects him.

    Quick questions:
    1. How good would you say Maradona's teammates were at the time? Was this a case of Maradona being a very good player among average teammates so he stood out, or were his teammates good, but he was already one-of-the-best-in-the-league good and would've been the best player of almost any team he played for?
    2. What kind of expectations were there for Maradona at this young age? Is it possible that the media may have been a bit sympathetic when Maradona isn't playing at his best, because of his age? Or did he face the same kind of pressure as any of the top players, and good performances were demanded of him every game?
     
  22. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    Every year that Maradona was with the club they were changing managers and players, producing a lack of stability and cohesion within the squad. The rosters each season consisted of role players with Maradona as their franchise star.

    The expectations at the age of 18 was to not fall into the trap of conformism of being considered the best with all the fame and money that goes with it. But there was no sympathy. If he was going to be paid the best and hailed as the best talent in Argentinian football of the past 20 years since Sivori, and projected as the future player of his generation, then the pressure was higher than for anyone else. Bear in mind, this was a business and there was no time for fraternizations amongst the media and player unless they were receiving an invested benefit. He may have had his admirers for sure, but the average reporter had no ties with him and could be very critical with their evaluations. And in contrast with some previous icons, there was certainly more pressure on him since he was being compared to them, which is something that kind of gets ignored over time.
     
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  23. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    So Diego now took a trip to Brazil to visit Pelé, in this iconic photo captured by El Gráfico. The caption stated that Pelé said to Diego: “so you scored a goal with your hand ? “, referencing his goal against Newell’s. Pelé said, “Don’t worry that’s a problem for the refs”.

    Diego said he had wanted to meet Pelé since the Youth South American Championship held in Uruguay.

    Some advice from Pelé to Diego: “Never think you are the best when they hail you as the best. The day you think you are the best you will never again be the best”

    Pelé would give Diego as a gift a signed ball, a medal that he earned with the NY Cosmos in his farewell match and obviously the iconic photo signed.

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  24. Vegan10

    Vegan10 Member+

    Aug 4, 2011
    Metropolitan Championship 1979

    Round 7

    15/04/1979 Argentinos Juniors 3-1 River Plate

    Stadium: Ferro Carril Oeste (Argentinos were local)

    Field condition: Good

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    Goles headlined: “Gentleman, take your kids to watch El Diego”

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    El Gráfico headlined: “Argentinos, with an outstanding number 10”

    “River fell under his influence the genius of Maradona marked the difference”

    El Gráfico
    “This River side without Fillol, Alonso, Lopez, González and Luque was defeated without mitigations by the Argentinos Juniors of Maradona. In the mentioned names one can explain the result. Every time the genius of the number 10 of the local side touched the ball the opponent suffered with impotence. At times the only way to stop him was through fouls, but not even that hampered his game. The usage of violence was like a boomerang for River, who ended collapsing, meanwhile Argentinos continued to caress the ball effectively.”

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    La Nación headlined: “Maradona: excellent work”

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    The first goal of Maradona
    “Poor pass from Merlo that was picked up from Maradona, almost at the halfway line took off from the left wing, he was shadowed by the defenders De Los Santos, Lonardi and Horacio Rodriguez and the player of Argentinos Juniors made a pause in his run and then sprinted forward and left the three in his wake, he confronted goalkeeper Landaburu and feinted him, he let the ball go ahead of him and then crossed his shot to score in a brilliant play.”

    El Gráfico illustrated like this: “Merlo’s pass to Lonardi that was intercepted by Maradona in the final third; with two shimmies he left defenders Galletti, De Los Santos and Rodriguez in his wake, he faced goalkeeper Landaburu, he squared himself up and scored like on the afternoons playing in the slums on the streets”

    For the fans of this trivia it was another brilliant “Maradoniano” solo effort that nearly was repeated at the start of the second half, but which was stopped at the last hurdle.

    How many solo goals had this young man scored so far in his young career ? More than 10 probably... And now it was against the River Plate of Passarella, Saporiti and Merlo with Labruna as the opposing coach. However it must also be stated various key players of River had been missing.

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    Diego had been spectacular, with his best game of the season, scoring two goals and setting up another, and rated with the perfect score of a 10 from El Gráfico.

    Some images exist of this match but like the first goal, it was only captured when he took the shot.




    Summary: 2 goals, 1 assist

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  25. JoCryuff98

    JoCryuff98 Member+

    Barcelona
    Netherlands
    Jan 3, 2018
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    #325 JoCryuff98, Oct 22, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2020
    Matigolvidz makes the best Maradona compilation videos. He’s a hardcore fan for sure. Btw Gentile definitely was a bastard in 1982 World. Probably a dribbler’s nightmare for sure in those days. Considering I’m relatively a young chap, I do find the lack of referee leniency in the older era pretty annoying, but at the same time I do find simulations and referees giving cards to the players for simple contact in the modern era annoying as well.
     

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