chris_glasgow 2 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 BUENOS AIRES - Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi and defender Fabricio Coloccini missed out when Diego Maradona named his 23-man Argentina World Cup squad on Wednesday. Liverpool right winger Maxi Rodriguez, like Coloccini a veteran of the 2006 finals in Germany, was retained as cover for Newcastle's Jonas Gutierrez. The only recognised full-back in the 23 was Clemente Rodriguez of Estudiantes with Maradona planning to field four central defenders in Argentina's Group B opener against Nigeria in Johannesburg on June 12. Javier Zanetti, Argentina's 136-cap record holder and an experienced full-back set to captain Inter Milan in Saturday's Champions League final against Bayern Munich, missed out on a place in the provisional squad. The man seen as having muscled Zanetti out is Colon's 30-year-old defender Ariel Garce, who cemented his place in the 4-0 win over Haiti on May 5. He won two caps in 2003. Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore, the only player in the squad without a cap, will cover 35-year-old playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron, who may struggle to last the pace of the finals if Argentina go far. Lavezzi was the only player dropped among the forwards on the 30-man list. TOP STRIKERS Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito and Sergio Aguero, father of Maradona's grandson Benjamin, are leading strikers in Europe's strongest leagues. Veteran Martin Palermo, Boca Juniors' record scorer with 222 goals and a Maradona favourite, is the sixth striker and one of five home-based players in the squad. Jose Sosa, on loan at former Club Estudiantes from Bayern Munich, had high hopes of making the cut with his good form in the South America Libertadores Cup but lost out to Maxi Rodriguez. Rodriguez, a dynamic runner who likes to cut in towards goal and has settled at Liverpool after his January move from Atletico Madrid, scored the goal of the 2006 finals, a left-footed volley from 35 metres into the top corner in the second round 2-1 extra-time win over Mexico. Argentina, looking for a third world title and first since 1986 when Maradona was captain, were knocked out by hosts Germany in the quarter-finals four years ago. They last reached the semi-finals in Italy in 1990. The four times that Argentina have reached the last four they have gone on to play the final. Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon) Defenders: Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes de La Plata), Nicolas Burdisso (AS Roma), Ariel Garce (Colon) Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle United), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes de La Plata), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool) Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboyrfc 296 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 The strikers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow 2 Posted May 20, 2010 Author Share Posted May 20, 2010 Lack of CMs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasGers 96 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 That's some amount of quality in their forwards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty657 1 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 RomeroOtamendi Samuel Demichelis HeinzeMascherano VeronMessi Pastore Di MariaMilito Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SandyIniesta-Nordahl Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 The best strike-force in the tournament.Glad there is no Coloccini, but I'd have Lavezzi over Palermo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SandyIniesta-Nordahl Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 It will be Higuain and Messi up-top, I'm pretty sure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinGers93 388 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Lack of CMs Maradona's defensive tactics are very fucked up but they worked against Germany playing 4 CB's as the back 4. I will tell you the starting lineup for Argetina right nowRomeroHeinze Samuel Demichelis OtamendiGutierrez Veron Mascherano (captain) Di MariaMessiHiguain Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SandyIniesta-Nordahl Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Lack of CMs Maradona's defensive tactics are very fucked up but they worked against Germany playing 4 CB's as the back 4. I will tell you the starting lineup for Argetina right nowRomeroHeinze Samuel Demichelis OtamendiGutierrez Veron Mascherano (captain) Di MariaMessiHiguainYou've got it. By all accounts, against Germany they were very impressive, with the defensive set-up working excellently.Germany didn't have a shot the whole game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott-RFC 308 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 11/2 not to make it out the groups....Nigeria/Greece 33sGreece/Nigeria 34s Nigeria/South Korea 54sSouth Korea/Nigeria 66s Greece/South Korea 88s South Korea/Greece 84sGoing to have a wee think about this between now and the tournament, I cant see them doing anything Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevpetrie87 0 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Their attacking force is unbelievably awesome, still think Maradona should have included Cambiasso if not for the starting line-up but even for back up he's a brilliant player. Zaneeti also his experience alone is an asset but apart from that he's still a quality player Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevpetrie87 0 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 11/2 not to make it out the groups....Nigeria/Greece 33sGreece/Nigeria 34s Nigeria/South Korea 54sSouth Korea/Nigeria 66s Greece/South Korea 88s South Korea/Greece 84sGoing to have a wee think about this between now and the tournament, I cant see them doing anythingThey're hit or miss but i'd still fancy them strongly to win that group Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenose_72 198 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Cambiasso and Zanetti should be in that squad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SandyIniesta-Nordahl Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 11/2 not to make it out the groups....Nigeria/Greece 33sGreece/Nigeria 34s Nigeria/South Korea 54sSouth Korea/Nigeria 66s Greece/South Korea 88s South Korea/Greece 84sGoing to have a wee think about this between now and the tournament, I cant see them doing anythingPut a bet on the group to end:Argentina/Greece/Nigeria/S.KoreaAround 6/1 IIRC, which is not bad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConorRFC51 38 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Cambiasso and Zanetti should be in that squad.Was gonna say the exact same thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SandyIniesta-Nordahl Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Cambiasso and Zanetti should be in that squad.Was gonna say the exact same thing.They should be 1st picks, and key players.Cambiasso was very poor when Maradona took over, that is one reason. But you think he'd include him following his performances this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConorRFC51 38 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Cambiasso and Zanetti should be in that squad.Was gonna say the exact same thing.They should be 1st picks, and key players.Cambiasso was very poor when Maradona took over, that is one reason. But you think he'd include him following his performances this season.Especially considering they don't have great depth - or any really - in CM. And you have to think you'd prefer Cambiasso over Veron. Since Maradona took over he's never once called Cambiasso up to the squad, despite him performing well on a regular basis for Inter. Something more personal in the matter, imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRfc 20 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 No Cambiasso or Zanetti then dropping Lavezzi when Jonas is still in the squad :anguish: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConorRFC51 38 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 It's such a shame that Argentina don't have a better defence. Their abundance of attacking options is frightening. Lavezzi should be there over Palermo too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenose andy 1 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 What a strikeforce Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bombaybadboy08 15,660 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 I can see them struggling,should have binned Maradona after qualification. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poetry_In_Blue 1,043 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 I wouldn't write Argentina of yet, they will probably be attacking from the start and other teams will have to break down a very solid defence, probably will be playing;Goalie4 Defenders6 Strikers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSuedeSambas 56,429 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Greece/South Korea 88s South Korea/Greece 84sIf I was a betting man I'd be having a flutter in that.Argentina are in dissaray and Nigeria are vasty over rated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papaguy51 941 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 They'll do nothing this year, maybe get out of their group. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trueblueal 2,117 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 I'd have included Banega of Valencia as creative cover for Veron and at the expense of Palermo who is past it. Too many forwards means he just isnt needed but Palermo seems to be Maradona blind spot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts