Let me begin by saying that I’ve enjoyed every day that I’ve spent on the blog talking about the national team & Argentine football with you all.

My decision to no longer blog was not a rushed decision or have anything to do with Argentina’s latest world cup failure, as humilliating as it was.

I made the decision before the world cup.

And it is due to personal and work considerations. Mostly work considerations.

I am embarking on a new career in marketing and it is going to require alot of my time and focus.

It’s really been an immense joy and wonderful experience to have maintained this blog. I will miss it alot as I will miss talking to you all.

The blog was a part of my daily life and it is difficult to end it after all the time & effort that I’ve devoted to it.

Thank you all for your participation, for making the blog a really fun place to meet up to talk about Argentine football and Thank you for your love and passion for Argentina.

Gracias Amigas y Amigos.

Hasta Siempre.

2. Messi, with the help of a semi-intelligent manager, will have his world cup in 2014.

-UPDATE-

The starting lineup confirmed:

GK – Romero
D – Otamendi
D – Demichelis
D – Burdisso
D – Heinze
M – Maxi Rodriguez
M – Mascherano
M – Di Maria
F – Tevez
F – Messi
F – Higuain

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

Maradona has not confirmed the starting eleven for tomorrow’s big quarterfinals matchup against Germany but according to Argentine media reports and from what was seen in yesterday’s training session, the starting lineup against Germany will be:

GK – Romero
D – Otamendi
D – Demichelis
D – Burdisso
D – Heinze
M – Maxi Rodriguez
M – Mascherano
M – Di Maria
F – Tevez
F – Messi
F – Higuain

I don’t like it.

Once again, Argentina will not have a strong play build up.

Once again, Messi will be isolated and will struggle to find someone to link up with.

Once again, Argentina will waste having the best player in the world.

Once again, Argentina will rely on its goal scoring power instead of its collective play and creativity from its play build up.

It worked against Mexico but I don’t think I need to explain that Germany is not the same as Mexico.

Basically, Maradona is betting on a defensively strong, counter-attacking strategy that will rely on the forwards making a great individual play, depend on a great goal by the forwards.

Pastore was right to say that the way to beat the Germans is “jugando a la pelota”. By playing football, the Argentina way.

Too bad Maradona was not listening.

Martin Demichelis speaking to the media today.

Messi did not participate in today’s training session because he reportedly has a fever.