Donovan versus D'Alessandro From Robert Wagman/SoccerTimes: ...Coach Marcelo Bielsa, recently rehired to coach Argentina after being fired following the nation's first-round exit at the 2002 World Cup, built this weekend's side around five players from Argentina's under-20 men's team that won the World Youth Championship in 2001. The stars are two River Plate midfielders, both considered prodigies: Federico Insua and Andres D'Alessandro... ...Saturday's matchup should prove informative on how American rising star Landon Donovan will perform against D'Alessandro, Argentina's midfielder of the future who is expected to be playing soon in Europe and earning millions of dollars annually. Bielsa was quoted in the Argentine press as saying he will D'Alessandro straight up against Donovan, the biggest test faced by the San Jose Earthquakes midfielder since the World Cup... This one should be interesting. As I recall, D'Alessandro was driving the full Mexican national team into Cobi-like fits of rage, even inducing a poorly-concealed right-hook to the face in garbage time. It should be real nice to see some wide-open scrimmaging between these two, especially with the implications that they may be battling it out at Germany 2006. Likewise with Richie.
They're both wonderfully skilled players, but I think that D'Alessandro, at least for now, has the edge. It's that creative something that a kid gets playing futbol in Argentina, and lacks playing AYSO in the States. It's also about finishing - I've seen D'Alessandro rip the ball for River Plate with the utmost confidence, whereas Donovan seems to want to play cheeky and smart all the time, instead of every once in a while (and necessarily) cramming the pill (ball) down the opponents throats. But I can't wait to see them on the same pitch...
D'Alessandro will have the edge. If I have the right player in mind, he's the number 10 for River Plate, and is also nicknamed 'little rabbit'. He's an incredible player. I've seen him meg opponents in the Argentine league at will. Terrific abilities.
Donovan versus D'Alessandro Overall I think Donovan has a solid edge but your criticism is definitely valid.
D'Allesandro needs to pick up his game and play better against US than he did against Mexico. He looked real nervous on the ball and made some really poor passes. I think LD has him beat all over the place. LD is cool and calm with great skill and speed. I think he's faster and definitely stronger. D'Allessandro gets knocked off the ball easily.
right now, id give d'allesandro a slight edge also, but im thinking LD has a slightly higher ceiling LD's finishing and consistancy are the seperating factors for me - i do think tho that hes gonna play like a champ tomorrow
Donovan versus D'Alessandro Actually It's "El Mago", "The Magician" Spanish. Thank you please come again.
Re: Donovan versus D'Alessandro Yeah, I read this too, and it puzzled me. I'm not sure how Bielsa's going to play the two straight up against each other given that D'Alessandro's impact is going to come in the U.S. half, as Donovan's is going to come in the Argentine half. I'm sure there will be jousting in the center of midfield, but they will duel only to the extent that Donovan tracks back defensively on D'Alessandro and, stopping the Argentine, moves into counterattack. In this sense, I think Donovan has the advantage, given that I see him playing a holding or defensive game vs. D'Alessandro's attacking game. I don't, by the way, mean to imply that the Argentines will completely take it to the U.S., but I do think that defensive weaknesses for the U.S. will mean that our midfielders are going to have to track back.
Re: Donovan versus D'Alessandro What happened to your friend Santana? "Thank you please come again." Sean
Re: Donovan versus D'Alessandro You're partially correct -- I've always heard him referred to as "Mandrake the Magician," but you have to pronounce "Mandrake" with a Spanish accent though. --df
Re: Donovan versus D'Alessandro Didn't Cantor keep calling him "El Cabezon" during the Mexico game. I might be wrong.
Who was Argentina's #7? He was giving Mexico real problems on the wings. Along with D'Alessandro, he seemed to be the most effective player.
I think D'Alessandro probly has a better technique than Donovan, not by much, but his ball control is a bit better(dribbling etc). That being said, the two are really different types of players, Donovan himself is more of a converted striker to the withdrawn midfielder/forward role, whereas D'alessandro is an attacking midfielder that can also play on the left.
D'Allesandro looked much better today. That may be because he was actually getting opportunities and creating them for himself (thanks to constant pressure from his teammates.) Donovan had very few chances today actually; but he had some great moments, particularly that sixty yard run before he was cheaply pushed down by the Argentinian defender. He just wasn't getting any help or service from his fellow players. Although he has to keep his cool; he was treating that Guatemalan ref like Gus St. Silva.
Re: Donovan versus D'Alessandro Insua plays for Independiente, not River. Do we need to start a thread for D'alessandro's apodos? I'd heard of Mandrake and Cabezon, but Conejito-I thought that was Saviola(and fits him better). As for the performances of Donovan and El Cabezon, both displayed flashes of class(and lack thereof after the whistle). D'alessandro looked a bit more exciting throughout, but his teammates helped with their spacing and timing.
Different type players but I prefer Donovan. OT:Bayer Leverkusen is in the relegation zone in Germany. If they fall to second division Landon Donovan may thankfully be out of contract with them.
Fact or guess? Please clarify. I know that many pro contracts have release clauses in the case of relegation, but there have been no reports on that for Donovan specifically.
Guess. As you rightfully pointed out "I know that many pro contracts have release clauses in the case of relegation". More importantly "...there have been no reports on that for Donovan specifically." I would also like to know.
Donovan and D'Alessandro played different positions, had two different sets of supporting players with two different strategies and objectives. It's difficult to compare them and say who's better, who will/won't succeed. I remember Argentina getting bounced from the first round in WC2002 and the US making it to the quarter-finals with significant help from Donovan.
Here's an article I wrote for TopDrawerSoccer.com that details how Landon and all of the other players did. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NationalTeams/1044751065/view -Tron