Defenders at the time were average at best. Gets caught on counter early and then unfortunate own goal just before HT killed our chance. I never really rates guys like Burdisso, Heinze, Colocini , let alone Guitierez & Garce who played during Diego's time.
Heinze was a beast... Coloccini was good early on in his career (2001-2005ish), but then his form took a steep dive. Burdisso I agree never was that great, despite having an accomplished career in Serie A and Boca. There were worse players though.. Cata Diaz was laughable. Gaby Milito was overrated and poor for the NT. Basanta going to the WC was random as hell, as was Campagnaro (although neither truly played). And then of course there's Rojo, who outside of his goal vs Nigeria and his flashy rabonas gave us countless disastrous defensive performances.
I think Coloccini was already a disaster in 2005, he was good for very brief period in 2001-2004. Heinze was great in his prime but he's no world class defender. He's too slow and often committed fouls in dangerous area. He almost got red against Mexico in WC 2006. Him , Burdiso, Coloccini, Gabi were always great supper for opponent counter attack. Demichellis wasnt that great either until Sabella. During the 2000s I always thought our defence has always been the achilles heel. The Confederation 2005 was good example. We scored 10 but conceided 10. In fact we conceided against every team we played (Tunisia, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Brazil). I dont think its just a coincidence.
And while all that was happening between 1998 to 2010 . . . somehow Javier Zanetti was not called for the 2006 or 2010 WC . . . oh, its so much fun to relive these old memories that make me feel like shit
Lol, you are right! I now remember this! Those eliminatorias were like a movie, lol I wonder if we are gonna help Ecuador this time , since the last WCQ game is againat them and s we are for sure qualified by then and they might not....would we put our C team to help our hermanos or not? Our C team is probably pretty great still but well...
Glad to see Dybala taking the penalties and FK’s for Juve again. Just scored a penalty(A bit lucky to go in but still).
Yea but also Tevez-Messi combo was just horrible on so many levels. Even though we lack Riqueleme now, our attack is much better more organized more width
We should have played Diego Milito after Crespo got injured, but Roman & Messi were able to carried the team to the final. Then we faced Dunga's Brazil who always play counter plus hundreds of fouls and with two forwards that always played roaming in deeper area, we couldnt break their compact defence. We clearly need someone who could pose aerial threat and escaping offside trap against team like that. Its also what Chile did in those 2 finals (minus Brazil counter ability), and Pipita was not an expert goal poacher as he rarely beat offside trap like Crespo or Bati. A team that rely on one player for creativity will eventually stuck at some point.
Why? Maybe if everyone gets injured, otherwise no. I don't care what the hinchas say and neither does Scaloni I'm sure.
Against Ecuador, I wouldn’t be surprised if we throw in our bench. I don’t think we will call up players who won’t be going to the mundial, it wouldn’t be fair for them or have an actually chance. If Ecuador isn’t qualified by then, then you know they’re going to take that game v seriously. I wouldn’t want one of their players going for a foolish tackle and causing a serious injury to a key player when the World Cup is only months after that game. I remember in 2011, we had a couple friendlies, and we took a weaker side. It was meant to give certain players who were on the cusp of making the Copa side. It was meant to give them a closer look. But news leaked that the list was already done and I don’t think anybody from that team was called up. So, they had to play a couple worthless friendlies. I didn’t understand the point of those games.
It's just funny to see the media campaigns to get certain players in the NT. I remember Tevez had a short run of form in 2020 and of course the Argentine press started talking about Scaloni taking him to Copa America. They even ended up asking Carlitos directly, and he was straight up like "no, I'm too old for the NT at this point, wtf" lol I don't think Rojo returning to the NT is in Scaloni's mind at all, I just found their attempt to stir up the debate of a possible call-up comical. .... then again, last year Rojo left Man United for Estudiantes after Scaloni recommended he seek regular playing time, so maybe he's not completely out of his radar.
So, De Paul and Correa are both on the bench for Atletico… Lautaro starts for Inter v Madrid and Tucu is on the bench. Messi and Paredes also start Licha Martinez starts for Ajax
Where is di Maria? So many overrated low iq players on this psg side. They don't understand messi movement at all.
Ugh, i just got home and missed Messi's game. It seems PSG sucked, maybe Messi is doing a bit...a performance in where he kinda sucks at the PSG so everyone thinks he lost his spark only to press play on Qatar with la Scaloneta and DESTROY every team . Fine by me.
Messi with a few giveaway passes today. He has been doing that for the NT lately as well. Needs to be a little more secure with his passing. He also had some nice dribbles today and hit the crossbar on a shot from just outside the box. Paredes had a horrible backward touch that almost gifted Brugge a breakaway. He then lunged and tackled the guy and got a yellow. He was subbed out early. He is a good player when he is focused and motivated. Unfortunately he isn't always that. Icardi looked the worst of the 3, missing a few chances and offside a few times. Hopefully he will sharpen up. Just back from injury. I saw a bit of the Atletico game but they are just so boring to watch. 2 shots on target to 1 against. De Paul was brought on in the 36th minute and hustled. Correa also came on early at 56. I'm OK with that!
Messi once said he'd trade all his club thropies with a thropy for Argentina, maybe thats why his club now played like Diego, Sampa, Bauza & Batista Argentina. Seriously, its probably due to preasure to win 10-0 with all 3 strikers getting a hattrick. Also , too much attention on "Messi finally play on another club"
How are players like hakimi and wudjwjatever rated at all? This is the level of midfielder nowadays just mindless runners
Julian Alvarez with two goals and two assists vs Newell’s on his return home from international duty. The kid played one hell of a game and pretty much single handedly won the game I know Scaloni is definitely taking note..
The CL game is 1:30 in my timezone ... I try to care about his CL debut with PSG, but still ended up Probably will only starts watching at KO stage. As much as I love our guys, its hard to care about PSG
I am still "hodling" my Julian Alvarez stock. I think he has talent and at 21 years of age, has plenty of time to improve more.