Argentina vs Uruguay – Game Commentary

After 17 WC qualifying games it all comes down to tonight.

Argentina vs Uruguay. In Montevideo.

In the legendary Centenario stadium.

With both teams needing a good result to qualify to the World Cup.

On the surface it seems that the pressure is really on Uruguay, as they need the win to qualify directly and are playing at home.

Argentina can still survive and still qualify to the world cup with a tie tonight.

And it appears that because of that Maradona will have a defensive minded lineup on the field tonight.

Argentina will have yet another different lineup in their last WC qualifier.

Maradona is going with 4 center-backs in the backline. A very unusual and senseless move to say the least.

Otamendi is going to play in the right-back position for the first time in his career and in his 3rd game ever with the national team.

Demichelis is back in the lineup as are Schiavi and Heinze.

That is Argentina’s backline.

A 21 year old player with 2 national team appearances playing out of position tonight.

A less than fit, out of form Demichelis.

And two mediocre, past their prime defenders like Schiavi & Heinze.

The midfield will have Jonas Gutierrez & Mascherano with defensive duties.

Veron will be given the responsibility, again, of leading Argentina’s attack.

And Di Maria will be on the left side of the midfield to help with the play buildup and protect his zone defensively.

Messi & Higuian will be upfront but in reality they will spend alot of time moving close to the midfield, attempting to have contact with the ball.

Isn’t all of this bizarre?

Is this as bad a starting lineup as there could possibly be for such an important, final, do or die, WC qualifier?

Tonight’s game is a historical one regardless of the result.

Argentina & Uruguay were the first to build the football greatness of South America with great teams, great players and of course, great games.

They played in the first Olympic Games Final, the first World Cup Final, played against each other in and won alot of Copa America’s going back to the first one held.

And there is alot of history between each countries club teams.

Argentina-Uruguay was the first and true South American clasico even though its been overshadowed now by the Argentina-Brasil rivalry.

It’s worth noting that Brasil did not become a football power in South America until the late 1950’s.

Uruguay has a long history of overcoming adversity and winning games in the most difficult of circumstances.

The garra/toughness that Uruguay is known for is no myth. They have a long history that backs it up.

I must be honest, I am bracing myself for the possibility of a defeat and elimination tonight.

This team, this manager, has not given me any cause for optimism.

So, what will happen tonight?

Will Messi finally do something magical?

Will Palermo come off the bench and save Argentina again?

Will an unexpected hero give Argentina the win?

What do you all think?

How are you feeling about tonight’s game?

———————–

- UPDATE –

The players are on the field. The national anthems are being played.

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!!!!

AGUANTE EL FUTBOL ARGENTINO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- UPDATE -

Argentina is wearing an away shirt of a color never worn before, a darker color than normal.

- UPDATE –

Game is under way.

- UPDATE –

5th minute

No Score

Uruguay is attacking, they had two clear scoring opportunities already.
The Argentina backline is struggling already.

- UPDATE -

8th minute

No Score

Heinze receives yellow card for a rough, unnecessary foul.

- UPDATE –

15th minute

No Score

- UPDATE -

16th minute

No Score

Otamendi receives yellow card. Two defenders now with yellow cards.

- UPDATE –

20th minute

No Score

- UPDATE –

25th minute

No Score

Uruguay is alot closer to scoring a goal than Argentina is.

- UPDATE -

30th minute

No Score

- UPDATE -

35th minute

No Score

- UPDATE -

36th minute

Maradona keeps telling Heinze to stay calm

- UPDATE -

40th minute

No Score

- UPDATE -

45th minute

No Score

2 additional minutes

- UPDATE –

HALFTIME

Chile 0-0 Ecuador

- UPDATE –

HALFTIME

Argentina 0-0 Uruguay

- UPDATE -

If both games end in a tie, Argentina will qualify to the World Cup and Uruguay will play a CONCACAF team for the last qualifying spot.

—————————–

As expected, a hard fought game with little football.

Uruguay has had the best and most goal scoring opportunities but was not able to score.

At this point, I suppose that Argentina is in control and can play more calmly and intelligently. We’ll see how Uruguay handles the pressure of having to win in the second half.

Uruguay might leave more spaces in their half of the field which Argentina could exploit.

A long 45 minutes remain.

- UPDATE -

The Argentina players are back on the field.

No substitutions.

- UPDATE -

Second half under way.

- UPDATE -

50th minute

No Score

- UPDATE –

Chile 1-0 Ecuador

- UPDATE –

55th minute

No Score

- UPDATE –

60th minute

No Score

- UPDATE -

65th minute

No Score

- UPDATE -

70th minute

No Score

- UPDATE -

72nd minute

Demichelis the best player in the backline tonight. Schiavi & Heinze should not wear the Argentina shirt any more.

- UPDATE -

75th minute

Monzon is coming in the game. Di Maria is OUT.

- UPDATE -

79th minute

Bolatti is coming in the game.

- UPDATE -

80th minute

Bolatti IN. Higuain OUT.

- UPDATE –

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Argentina 1-0 Uruguay

- UPDATE -

84th minute

Bolatti with the goal

- UPDATE -

86th minute

Tevez IN. Messi OUT

- UPDATE -

87th minute

Argentina 1-0 Uruguay

————————————
————————————
————————————

FINAL SCORE

Argentina 1-0 Uruguay

ARGENTINA QUALIFIES TO THE WORLD CUP!!!!!!!!

ARGENTINA QUALIFIES TO THE WORLD CUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE NIGHTMARE IS OVER……….FOR NOW………

MARADONA PLEASE LEAVE

MARADONA LEAVE IN A DIGNIFIED MANNER WHILE YOU CAN

LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TE AMO ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Argentina vs Peru – Game Commentary

Here we go, two hours left before kickoff.

Argentina is playing its next to last WC qualifier today.

Argentina will have yet another different lineup today.

There are different mathematical possibilities and different qualifying scenarios. But I do not have the mental energy to take all of this on.

It’s very simple actually. Argentina has to win today. Argentina is running out of must win games. It has to happen today. Today it is Peru. The Uruguay game is far away.

What are the Argentina players going to show today?

If not football, will the players on the field today show pride, personality, inner strength, love for the Argentina shirt?

If not football, can we at least see that today?

Argentina is playing a team that is in last place in the WC qualifying standings.

Argentina is playing at home.

Argentina has everything in its favor today.

Today is the first of two finals.

There are no more excuses. It’s time.

Time to win.

The starting lineup today:

GK – Sergio Romero

D – Jonás Gutiérrez
D – Rolando Schiavi
D – Gabriel Heinze
D – Emiliano Insúa

M – Enzo Pérez
M – Javier Mascherano
M – Angel Di María
M – Pablo Aimar

F – Lionel Messi
F – Gonzalo Higuaín

UPDATE – 4:35PM EDT

The Argentina-Peru history:

Argentina won 30 games, 11 ties, Peru won 5 games.

UPDATE – 4:45pm EDT

Aimar will be wearing the #16 shirt, Higuain will wear the #9 shirt.

UPDATE – 5:00PM EDT

Javier Zanetti asked Inter for permission to be at the game tonight. Argentina needs a right-back against Peru. A midfielder will be in that position and Zanetti will be in the stands watching the game.

UPDATE – 5:05PM EDT

The Argentina bench tonight:

GK – Mariano Andujar
D – Martin Demichelis
M – Mario Bolatti
M – Federico Insua
F – Carlos Tevez
F – Sergio Aguero
F – Martin Palermo

UPDATE – 5:10PM EDT

The Argentina players are on the field doing their pre-game warmups.

UPDATE – 5:20PM EDT

What kind of reception will Maradona receive in El Monumental tonight?

Needless to say, he ended up looking quite ridiculous with his over the top criticism of River’s stadium and pleading to play in Rosario.

Now, he’s back in River’s stadium for a do or die WC qualifier.

UPDATE – 5:50PM EDT

The Argentina players have entered the field.

UPDATE – 5:55PM EDT

A recording of the late Mercedes Sosa singing the Argentine national anthem is being played in the stadium.

UPDATE – 5:59PM EDT

The game is about to start.

VAMOS ARGENTINA CARAJO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- UPDATE -

25th minute

No Score

It’s all Argentina so far, controlling the ball, attacking and creating goal scoring opportunities. Higuain has missed two really good scoring chances. Di Maria is linking up well with Aimar but Enzo Perez is not.
This is a good game for Lucho Gonzalez to help with the play build up but he’s watching the game.

- UPDATE –

30th minute

No Score

Aimar is doing a good job leading the attack and linking up well with Messi but the ball is not going in.

- UPDATE –

35th minute

No Score

A section of the stadium is calling for Palermo.

-UPDATE-

38th minute

Aimar has been static the last 10 minutes, he needs to move around and take hold of the ball.

-UPDATE-

40th minute

No Score

Who’s brilliant idea was it to water down the field before the game?

Maybe Heinze will end up twisting his ankle.

- UPDATE -

43rd minute

No Score

Enzo Perez is making good runs down his flank but Aimar remains static in the center of the field.

- UPDATE -

45th minute

No Score

2 minutes of additional time

- UPDATE -

HALFTIME

No Score

- UPDATE -

Argentina came out with all guns blazing. Some good play buildup, scoring chances were created, Aimar for at least the first 30 minutes led the attack linking up well with Messi but then disappeared the rest of the first half.

A poor performance by Higuain so far. Inexplicably, Insua is not making attacking runs from his end. Di Maria is playing well overall, active in the play buildup.

Enzo Perez started out slow but ended the first half with some good attacking runs.

But the ball is not going in.

Peru is in total defensive mode.

The worst possible scenario right now.

Argentina will start the second half desperate for a goal.

- UPDATE -

The second half is about to start.

Palermo is coming in. Enzo Perez is OUT.

- UPDATE -

HALFTIME

Ecuador 0-0 Uruguay

- UPDATE –

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Higuain

Argentina 1-0 Peru

- UPDATE –

52nd minute

Argentina 1-0 Peru

Argentina is attacking, going for the kill.

- UPDATE –

60th minute

Argentina 1-0 Peru

Romero has made a handful of outstanding saves already in the second half.

- UPDATE –

65th minute

Argentina 1-0 Peru

Jonas Gutierrez looks horribly out of place in the right back position.

- UPDATE -

67th minute

Martin Demichelis is coming in the game. Higuain is OUT.

- UPDATE -

69th minute

Higuain scores a goal and then gets taken out of the game.

Demichelis is going in the right-back position.

- UPDATE -

67th minute

Ecuador 1-0 Uruguay

- UPDATE -

69th minute

Ecuador 1-1 Uruguay

- UPDATE -

75th minute

Federico Insua is coming in the game.

- UPDATE -

Insua IN. Aimar OUT.

- UPDATE -

78th minute

Argentina 1-0 Peru

Peru should be winning this game. Only a miracle is going to save Argentina tonight.

- UPDATE -

80th minute

Argentina 1-0 Peru

Argentina has been absolute chaos in the second half. Offensively and especially on defense.

- UPDATE -

84th minute

Argentina 1-0 Peru

The last place team in the WC qualifying standings is the better team and is making Argentina suffer the entire second half.

- UPDATE -

88th minute

Argentina 1-0 Peru

- UPDATE -

Argentina 1-1 Peru

- UPDATE -

G000000000000000000000000000000000000LL!!!!!!!!

Palermo

Argentina 2-1 Peru

- UPDATE -

FINAL SCORE

Argentina 2-1 Peru

- UPDATE -

Uruguay 2-1 Ecuador

- UPDATE -

Uruguay beat Ecuador 2-1

——————————–

And the miracle happened.

But Argentina did not deserve to win tonight. The last place team in the WC qualifying standings outplayed and humiliated Argentina in the entire second half.

Peru did not win tonight because of Argentina’s GK and because of their own failure to finish off the many goal scoring opportunities that they had.

This is where things stand heading into the final WC qualifier next Wednesday.

Argentina – 25 points
Uruguay – 24 points
Ecuador – 23 points

Ecuador will be playing against Chile which qualified to the World Cup tonight.

Ecuador will play against a Chile team that will not have anything to play for.

Argentina will be playing against a Uruguay team that will be playing at home, playing for a spot in the World Cup.

I’m not expecting any more miracles.

Argentina vs Brasil – Game Commentary

There are two hours left before kickoff.

So far no last minute changes or news.

UPDATE – 6:45PM EDT

The stadium is already very loud.

The players are on the team bus close to arriving at the stadium. Alot of players are singing on the bus and making alot of noise.

The video that Maradona showed the team had messages from friends & relatives of the players. The video also showed scenes of poverty & of working people all over Argentina. The message pretty clear. The players need to leave their heart & soul on the field tonight.

UPDATE – 7:00PM EDT

The starting lineup has been confirmed again. No changes from the lineup that Maradona gave earlier in the week.

UPDATE – 7:45pm EDT

All the Argentina players are on the field doing their pre-game walk. The crowd is in a frenzy. What an atmosphere!

UPDATE – 8:05 pm EDT

The Argentina bench will be:

Carrizo, Papa, Schiavi, Coloccini, Aguero, Milito.

UPDATE – 8:15pm EDT

Argentina has never won a WC qualifier with tonight’s ref, Oscar Ruiz, as the ref of the game.

UPDATE – 8:20pm EDT

The players are about to enter the field.

VAMOS ARGENTINA CARAJO!!!!!

AGUANTE LA HINCHADA ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!

LO MAS GRANDE QUE HAY!!!!!!!!

—————–

HALFTIME

And so it is.

None of it shocking, all of it predictable.

Brasil had three goal scoring opportunities and scored twice but it could’ve been 3 goals.

Tonight, one of the worst Argentina lineups ever was put together for a Brasil game.

Argentina’s playmaker tonight. The worst player on the field.

An old, slow, less than fit Veron was given the responsibility of leading the attack. It’s been a disaster. Long balls to nowhere. No vision on the field and completely irrelevant.

The first Brazilian goal was courtesy of the second worse player on the field, Heinze. Completely asleep as he allowed Luisao (the player he was supposed to mark) to walk in, completely unmarked, to score the goal.

Tevez has also been totally ineffective and as expected losing to the Brazilian defenders every time the ball is in the air.

Datolo has done little and nothing on the left side of the midfield. Contributing little on offense and defense.

and Messi?

Poor Messi.

There is nobody on the field that is capable of delivering the ball to him.

Messi has no choice but to go near the midfield just to have contact with the ball and when he has the ball, it is him vs the Brasil team.

Argentina is a team without football, without order in any of their lines and is a team full of players that did not deserve to be in the starting lineup tonight or on the national team, for that matter.

None of it shocking, all of it predictable.

Argentina vs Mexico – Game Commentary

HALFTIME

A very needed goal right before halftime.

An amazing free kick by Riquelme who placed the ball with precision right to Heinze who was at the end of his run on the right side, inside the box.

It’s been an open game as expected. Mexico is marking very tightly but fouling excessively, especially on Riquelme and the ref has been keeping the yellow cards hidden somewhere.

Messi has not had a good first half, he’s been marked well but he has struggled to find the ball and move forward and Messi is also playing too deep.

Tevez missed a goal he should’ve put away, one on one against the GK.

Veron, again, is not playing well, contributing very little in the playmaking and is not a factor on the field.

Mascherano, great as always.

It wasn’t a good first half for the team, despite having a few dangerous scoring chances, it’s struggling to break down Mexico’s defense.

The goal at halftime should hopefully open things up even more. Mexico has to go on the attack more than ever.

FINAL SCORE

ARGENTINA 3-0 MEXICO

A great second half with a masterpiece of a goal by Messi.

ABSOLUTE GENIUS

RECONTRAGOLAZO!!!!!!!!!!

and Riquelme put the game away with a beautifully taken penalty kick, touching it softly right up the middle.

A very different team in the second half, the team didn’t attack as much through the middle and started to play the ball out wider, on the wings more.

After Messi’s monumental goal the Mexican team fell apart, totally demoralized. Argentina controlled the ball, circulated it effectively and took charge of the game.

Mascherano? There just aren’t enough words to praise him, to describe what he means to the team, to explain the brilliant level of football that he is displaying. Masche is here, there and everywhere on the field, stopping attack after attack, taking the ball away and distributing it with skill. What would Argentina do without him?

Veron played better in the second half but I thought he stayed in the game too long, especially with a 3-0 lead.

Riquelme also looked better in the second half, controlling the ball, accurate with his passing, and was more effective leading the attack.

Not a great game by Tevez but he was a threat out on the wings, played hard and never gave up.

The backline had its first real test of the Copa and did well overall, especially Milito.

ARGENTINA HAS MESSI. NOBODY ELSE DOES.

On to another Copa America Final.

Another Clásico against Brasil.

Argentina vs Peru – Game Commentary

HALFTIME

No score.

The team’s controlling the ball and for the most part circulating it well but it’ s not able to finish on goal because it’s crashing head on with Peru’s defensive wall. The team is creating some good scoring chances.

Messi has broken down Peru’s defense with his usual electrifying diagonal runs and great dribbling skills but he still needs someone to link up with to be more effective, he’s alone and can not do it all by himself.

Veron’s played horribly so far, giving the ball away too often and not contributing in the playmaking.

Riquelme had more contact with the ball but has not been able to create much.

Zanetti has been very active, defending well and making good attacking runs.

Abbondanzieri has been a spectator so far.

Veron should come out of the game and Aimar should be brought in to help with the play buildup.

Argentina needs to score in order to bring Peru out of their defensive wall and open the game up.

FINAL SCORE

ARGENTINA 4-0 PERU

The goal finally came and the talent imposed itself.

A great second half by the team doing the same things as in the first half but the first Argentina goal opened up the game and the individual talents came together to create the collective plays that were needed to finish off Peru.

Argentina was in control in the second half and in reality the whole game.

Tevez came in the second half and right away showed the impact he can have on the team. Only a few minutes in the game and he combined with Riquelme, making a great pass to him, setting Riquelme up, who went on to score a fantastic goal. Tevez also came close to scoring as well, a header well made hit the crossbar. Tevez also made a great run and pass to Riquelme on his second goal and if that wasn’t enough, he linked up with Messi, combining on a beautiful one-two pass that Tevez took down the left flank and made a fine pass into the box that led to Mascherano’s goal. Tevez’s mere presence alone changes the team, for the better, his talent and football is great and undeniable.

It’s too obvious and crystal clear by now.

Tevez has to be in the starting lineup!!!

Riquelme scored two goals (the first a great shot that zoomed right through the Peru GK) and made a brilliant, well timed pass into the box that led Messi in, and Messi touched it lightly between the GK’s legs for the goal.

When Riquelme is on like he was in the second half, there is no player in the Copa America that can equal him. That’s Argentina’s big advantage over every other team in the Copa.

Messi was a big factor again tonight. With the ball in his feet he is capable of doing anything he wants. Uncontrollable diagonal runs, dribbling around players, great passes, and finally, scoring goals.

Messi is another huge advantage that Argentina has over every other team in the Copa. There is no player like him in the Copa, in South America, in Europe, in the North Pole, anywhere, that can do the things that he does. Especially, controlling the ball with the speed and precision that he can. Another great game for Messi tonight.

Zanetti and Cambiasso were superb once again. They continue to play better and better with each game. Defending well and helping the team on the attack.

Mascherano was a lion in the middle, as usual, and he scored another goal !!!!!

A great win, the team scored 4 goals once again in a game.

On to the Semifinals !!!!!!!!!

Argentina vs Paraguay – Game Commentary

HALFTIME

Not a whole lot to talk about so far. The team has 8 new players in the lineup.

And it shows.

Argentina is attacking and doing their best but Paraguay is defending well and defending with 2 lines in a bloc.

Some positives so far?

Zanetti is playing like the Zanetti we’re used to, alot of attacking runs, this time down the left flank and is actively participating in the play buildup.

Tevez and Palacio are constantly moving, fast, switching to both sides, and have posed a threat.

Cambiasso is having another good game and is participating more than ever on the attack, linking up with Aimar all game long.

Some negatives so far?

Aimar and Lucho have been inconsistent so far with the playmaking.

Gago has not done a good job distributing the ball, which is supposed to be his strength.

Diaz is struggling mightily against Cabanas who is moving past him with relative ease.

Paraguay seems content with defending and holding out for the tie, which strategically makes sense, with a tie they win the group.

Argentina has created the best chances (not many but chances nonetheless) in the game.

Another 45 minutes to go……….

FINAL SCORE

Argentina 1 – 0 Paraguay

Basile brought Messi and Mascherano into the game around the 68th minute and……..Messi made a run down the left flank and went around two Paraguay players and sent a ball into the box which was cleared right to Mascherano, outside the box, who stopped it and proceeded to place the ball, low, straight to the right post….GOLAZO !!!!!!!!!

After the goal Paraguay remembered that there was a game that had to be played and they attempted to attack but to no avail.

The player of the game?

Zanetti, easily. Who was outstanding playing in the left back position (unheard of for him with the Argentina shirt), no less. Will he remain there and relegate Heinze to the bench?

Basile made two moves (Messi & Masche), at the right moment in the game, and it paid off big time, delivering the win to the team.

Now it’s on to the Quarterfinals on Sunday against Peru…….

Argentina vs Colombia – Game Commentary

Another win, another disappointing performance.

That is quickly becoming the theme of the Copa America.

Watching Riquelme is really frustrating and aggravating. For most of the game he gave the ball away, over and over and over and was not able to lead the team, not able to be the playmaker he is supposed to be. And he then scores a fantastic goal (free kick). Tonight was the typical Riquelme performance with the Argentina shirt. Basile will not take him out of the lineup no matter what.

Veron did not play well, he had alot less contact with the ball but did help out defensively, more than usual but if that’s what Veron was able to do more effectively than anything else…. What does that say?

Mascherano was superb once again and Cambiasso had a really good game, alot more active with the ball and holding his ground on the left side of the midfield.

Messi was once again alone on the right side and not able to find someone to link up with but he was all over the field, played hard, and even gave a good effort on defense.

And speaking of defense…….the backline fell asleep, once again, on a set play. How could the Colombian player be so alone, in front of Abbondanzieri? This can not continue to happen.

In the second half, the team kicked the ball around, back and forth, in and out, in every way, but did not threaten the Colombian GK. A significant part of the game was spent or should I say wasted, doing that.

And the result?

The team made things complicated for itself, all of its own doing, for no reason. And spent the last 15 minutes hanging on for the win.

Argentina had in front of them a Colombia team without heart, without personality, a team that conceded possession of the ball, a Colombia team that had given up and refused to put up a fight. And Argentina did not finish them off.

Basile fell asleep at the wheel, Veron and Messi were clearly worn out and Basile waited too long too make the substitutions that were needed to bring the team back to life and to secure the win.

Argentina scores 4 goals again and wins but the feeling that is left after the game is one of frustration and disappointment with the overall football display, the slow pace in the second half and the lack of conviction shown by the team in finishing off an opponent that came out in the second half with a defeated attitude and was unwilling to do anything to change the result and course of the game.

Oh well, on to the Quarterfinals.

More tomorrow…..

More on Argentina-USA

The first game and first win out of the way. The game last night left much to talk about.

A weak football display. The team won 4-1 not because of what it was able to do throughout the 90 minutes but thanks to a couple of inspired moments by some gifted players who like the whole team, can and must do better.

It might be a rushed judgment after only one game but I still think that the Veron/Riquelme playmaker tandem is not going to work. I thought it was clear to see that with Veron on the field Riquelme struggled to find the ball, struggled with his positioning on the field, struggled to set his own pace, and struggled with the most important part: distributing the ball and imposing his football. With Veron controlling the ball, Riquelme is taken out of his game and can not give the team what he is capable of giving.

It has to be either Veron and Riquelme as playmaker and neither played well enough against USA for a case to be made for either one.

The GK and the backline were not seriously tested by the USA so it’s not possible to talk in depth about their performance.

Crespo continues to score goals when he is needed to and Messi began to play better once he moved to the left side and started to link up with Aimar. That was part of the problem in the first half, he was too isolated and even when he moved around to find a teammate to combine with, there was none.

However, there is no denying what an extraordinary player he is, he was not having a good game but a couple of inspired moments by him and GAME OVER. The best is yet to come from Messi and that is alot to look forward to.

I think that the most pressing issue at hand with the team is the midfield and the inclusion of Tevez in the lineup. Basile should reconfigure the team but will he? Aimar confirmed on the field what he has been showing in the practices. Aimar brought some much need explosion and gave clarity in the midst of all the confusion and he showed once again that he can form an ideal partnership with Messi.

Tevez came off the bench within minutes to score a fantastic goal and make it well known that he in great form and ready to go.

Where should the changes be made?

A change to look like this:

—————————Veron———–Mascherano———————————–

———————————————————————Aimar—————–

——————Messi——————————————————————-

——————————-Tevez——————-Crespo—————————

or a change like this:

————————————-Mascherano-——————————————–

————————————————————-Aimar———————–

—————————————–Riquelme—————————————–

———Messi—————————————————————————-

————————-Tevez—————————Crespo—————–

There is very little time left before the next opponent, Colombia, but enough time to make some necessary changes.

Argentina vs USA – Game Commentary

HALFTIME

After an electrifying start with Messi, Veron and Riquelme moving close to each other, making short passes back and forth, opening things up, playing our game, our football, and then the USA got a penalty that they converted and the team fell flat.

Veron dropped deep to take control of the ball but was not effective with his passing and gave the ball away too many times. Riquelme moved around alot but did not have as much contact with the ball as he’s used to and when that happens he is not a factor and when he did have the ball he did very little, also ineffective with his passing and at other times making passes that did not help the play buildup.

At least in the first half, with both in the lineup, the team does not have a playmaker, with both in the lineup there is more confusion and errors than football.

The team controlled possession of the ball for the most part but did absolutely nothing with it.

Heinze needs to stay back because his attacking runs do not lead to anything.

A terrible first half for Argentina. It can’t get any worse. I really hope not.

FINAL SCORE

ARGENTINA 4 – 1 USA

A great result, obviously, but with very little football.

The team did not play well. Veron and Riquelme can not be in the lineup together. It’s either one or the other. Veron improved somewhat in the second half, playing mostly from a deep position and improving with his passing, connecting more consistently with long passes on the ground and in the air, his trademark. It wasn’t a great performance by him though, not even close. Riquelme was not a factor most of the game, though he did make a fine pass (the only one all game) on Tevez’s goal. If Riquelme does not control the ball, he becomes a ghost on the field.

Messi improved in the second half when he moved to the left side and showed why he has to be in the lineup: at any moment, in a second, he can change a game, he can win a game for the team. That said, he will have to play much better in the upcoming games.

Crespo scored 2 goals and showed alot of mobility, even playing out wide at times. Excellent performance.

Mascherano was the teams best player, a great game by him, though not seriously tested, he was superb with his marking.

Tevez came in and immediately scored a fantastic goal, making a great run along with a great finish. Tevez can’t stay on the bench. Will Basile make room for him in the lineup?

Aimar scored a brilliant goal but he needs to play closer to the forwards not as close to the midfield to be effective.

The backline was not tested too much.

The team controlled possession of the ball and played along to its own rhythm but showed very little in the way of football, despite the result.

Tonight, all it took was a few great individual plays that led to the goals. Argentina will have to do alot more than that against the tougher opponents that are coming next.

Lastly, Basile needs to make a change in the lineup. Either Veron or Riquelme will have to go to the bench and Tevez has to fit in somehow, he has to be in the starting eleven.

It is late.

To be continued tomorrow……………