In 2006 Pekerhead kept subbing Riquelne and it always backfired, against an aging, slow Germany he subbed Riquelme and didn't bring on Messi for extra time. Absolutely horrendous, I'm still not over it.
Don't remind me...I was there. . One name....Julio Cruz. Pekerman brought in Julio Cruz in a 1/4 of a WC and left Messi on the bench. Still can't wrap my head around this. I was right behind the goal during the PKs watching Lehmann checking his piece of paper.
I was at that game as well, when I saw Cruz coming on and no Messi my heart just sank. If ever there was a striker designed for the ponderous, slow defenders Germany had at that time it was him. Pekerhead literally threw that match more effectively than if he'd been bribed.
wow this is the most traumatic experience I have ever heard. Sorry bro, no therapy will help. You will feel better after we win this one tho
People always talk about that Riquelme substitution but forget that Cambiasso had been balling all tournament. He could have easily been a starter. It’s easy to criticize after the fact, but it wasn’t that bizarre of a substitution. The bigger abomination was bringing in Julio Cruz. I mean besides a young Messi, you had Saviola, who was in unstoppable form for Argentina at the time. Cruz was by far the worst option, but Pekerman thought he was being a genius with his “height” strategy
The problem with the Riquelme sub is that same thing happened every time like a script prior to world cup. Pekerman pulled out Riquelme while winning against England in a crazy game and we ended up losing. Even in his bad performance he slowed down the game while keeping possession that it neutralized the opponent. He pretty much walked and gave back passes but he kept control and required a lot of attention from opponents. When he was out it was like a huge gap in midfield. Cambiasso for me was a like a side-kick character never someone who can control the game.
We'll be doing just fine imo. Remember when Diego gets banned in 1991? We won back to back Copa , Confederation and Finalissima plus having 30+ winning streaks aswell. Again, that was achieved after Diego out from the team. Granted we need Diego's help to qualify for 1994 but that proof we could still win thropies without our main player.
Its still a bizzare subs since Roman was the team engine, literally. His assist put Argentina 1-0 up. Remember that we lost 2 friendlies prior to the WC , against England we led 2-1 and lost 2-3 after Pekerhead took out Roman. Against Croatia, we led 2-1 and he took Roman out again, we lost 2-3. He's pulling same stunt again in WC , its not by accident, its him being a coward that he's always been.
Plus Veron who assisted the winner in first game suddenly stop playing for subsequent matches due to phantom injury. Off course we all know how's Diego-Veron relationship.
Agree about CA, but wcup when it originated in all sports including olympics were seen as a cold war strategy for proving each country superiority in different sport, as wcups originated during the world War period and happened only between 8-12 countries and travel during that period was not easy so it was decided as 4 year once event. But now world order scenario has changed and travel is easy and nearly 32 counttries participate and it's purely commercialized now with whole world watching it on TV so it's a huge business now, so every two years for all wcups is an advantage only for viewership business, chance for many nations to win instead of regular ones and chance for players to play and prove for their NT more as they play more for clubs than for NT.
FIFA is already messing things up with making this tournament 48 teams. I can’t wait to see Latvia v Panama in a World Cup match. I can barely contain my excitement with this prospect!
lol that would be great and the best match to look for, agree but the point also is in CA we don't face the Euro teams and players definitely need to play for NT than for clubs as club football culture is killing the NT culture itself. Only once in four years and during CA the world remembers the NT jersey with passion. Also if Messi, when retired, will be known for his Barcelona achievements rather than for NT if we miss the cup this time, and also a chance for Messi to come back to wcup in 2 years lol
To be frank, I do not care what the world thinks about our passion or culture. We view this as more than a sport, it is something that really consumes us. There really is not another footballing nation that takes it to our depths. They cannot match our intensity and love for our teams. This passion has been here before Messi and will continue long after him. Like I said, it’s a cultural thing. And if you watch our clubs, you can see the same madness. And who cares what people will think of Messi… And what people exactly? The Twitter-sphere? His people, his nation, will always be indebted for his service to his country. That’s what should matter, not some pundit on television or some bozo on Twitter. As for not playing European teams. Well, I’m not exactly for this idea, but there are talks that ourselves and Brasil could join the Nations League. Now, I’m not sure exactly how this will play out. But if it requires us to give up the CA, then, no, I would not be for it. Not only that, will these matches only be played in Europe? There are several logistical issues that would be need to be fixed but I would hope that the Europeans make the trip across the Atlantic.
Mbappe was 18 in 2018, Ronaldo was 18 in 2004 when Portugal hosted the european championships, they were both starters for their respective teams. Messi was 18 in 2006, was brought on as a sub and only started in dead rubber against Holland, then was unused sub in q/f against Germany. Unbelievable.
There were times for Argentina where having eccentric managers (or philosopher) was seen as cool. Thanks we finally arrives at Scaloni instead of someone like Bielsa or Pekerman.
I have zero idea who wins this competition ! Any out of the last 8 other than Croatia I’d say … Holland and Morocco are real dark horses as well . The other five all have an equal chance .. guess it’s gonna come down to a bit of luck judging by Spain hitting the post with the last kick of extra time .. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I have the opposite opinion. Think the AFA and clubs are more focused than ever on developing youth. They have to. And plenty is emerging more than the norm. Just needs the right amounts of playing time, coaches to fully develop. We're getting defenders and keepers, midfielders and some forwards. It's been pretty unbalanced recently. We need more coaches like Gallardo. Others are coming in with new ideas and their experience of Europe. But clubs and AFA need to make sure we send the best selection and right coach to the junior Mundial's. And at last the AFA is keeping tabs on the diaspora abroad. There's a wealth of talent there and likely to remain so given the domestic situation in Argentina.
I think Argentina had better teams than this one. Scaloni did two great things. He organized a good defense (Argentina kept two clean sheets, they are 31st in saves per game) and used Messi in the best way, as a false nine, with several players giving him pass options and running towards him. Sabella tried to do the same. But Argentina's attack with Higuain and Aguero was slow and less defensively dedicated. Although Messi was younger and Higuain and Aguero were more famous players. I think Scaloni uses Messi better today. But I think Argentina had better teams in the past. This Argentine team has several players just above average. Doesn't mean you can't be a champion.