WC Qualifiers 2018 - South America

[ammarfcb]

If that's the line-up I think it'll be something like this:

Playing Di Maria in the center is stupid, though Sabella has done it before and it failed. That's a great line-up, depends on how you can get the best out of them ofc.

if argentina can sort out how to get the best out of their forwards - JIZZ

 

[Raed]

Funny thing is that this formation begs for Tevez in place of Aguero, because he can track back like a menace. The same way Tevez made Maradona's formation seem plausible until it was exposed as not. It is a bit too romantic but beats any other piece of shit line up before.

I love how it limits Messi too, not because I do not want to see him shine but because he was doing too much. Like way too much. This way he can focus on owning the midfield and dictacting play, and you do not need anyone else to help him because he can run this muffucka on his own while Gago and Masch can both just defend like crazy. Worst case Scenario is to remove Di Maria and add Evar Banega to control the midfield and have Messi play behind Aguero and Higuain. There would be limited width, but Messi would roam from either side like Kaka used to do for AC Milan.

 

[zanela]

From the recent training session Sabella has fielded a very offensive team which could be the one lining up against Ecuador. The only question is that Jose Sosa has replaced Higuain in the second session. Except that no changes.

Romero; Zabaleta, Garay, Fernandez, Clemente; Mascherano, Gago, Di Maria; Messi, Aguero, Higuain.

Very surprising line-up knowing Sabella's defensive approach. Nothing is certain until it's officially confirmed. Love that line-up btw.

He'll field his love-child Sosa on matchday i'm certain. But fullmarks to Sabella for trying to achieve some consistency in central defense. He's allowing Garay-Fernandez to grow together and forge a partnership(looking positive so far), which if come to fruition 'll go a long way in addressing their defense woes. Now if only Ansaldi makes his way at LB.

 

[Chainsaw]

He'll field his love-child Sosa on matchday i'm certain.

Yep, when there is a change Sosa is always involved! In the recent training session Sabella kept the same line-up, only replaced Gago with Sosa.

 

[jamrock]

if its a straight up 4-2-3-1,and not that narrow 4-3-3. it could be the start of something, though you would have to drop kun for lavezzi or tevez. but its good, now get in pastore,benega,biglia,ansaldi,colo and that young left back whose name slips me a the moment in the squad for some of the shit there. find a stable and GOOD XI make them gel and argentina are back in business

 

[Chainsaw]

if its a straight up 4-2-3-1,and not that narrow 4-3-3. it could be the start of something, though you would have to drop kun for lavezzi or tevez. but its good, now get in pastore,benega,biglia,ansaldi,colo and that young left back whose name slips me a the moment in the squad for some of the shit there. find a stable and GOOD XI make them gel and argentina are back in business

It could be something like this instead of seeing Messi as the playmaker.

-----------Higuain---------
--Di Maria--Aguero--Messi--

The important thing is how the team functions, no matter who plays where. Would like to see how Sabella make use of those 4 attacking players upfront.

 

[AURELIUS]

I patented the lovechild remark Zanela. Alejandro does seem to have a fixation with Sosa for reasons unknown as he hardly offers anything out of the ordinary.

Defence is fine and both fullbacks offer attacking options. And at last there appear to be some fine young fullbacks coming along whose performances in the Libertadores have caught the eye.

Matias Rodriguez has been called up and hopefully gets the chance to play. Gino Peruzzi had Neymar in his pocket when Velez played Santos and then there is Sanchez Mino at Boca.

Not neglecting Nicolas Tagliafico and Ansaldi. At some point in time Sabella needs to bleed these younger players into the team. Fernandez is aerially commanding and pretty speedy but he needs regular first team football from next season.

Silvestre and Musacchio also need consideration at some point along with Colocinni. Yes I never thought I'd hear myself say that.

Sosa unfortunately replaced Gago in the last training session which to me unbalances the side in being too attacking. This might be fine against Ecuador who will play Chelsea's favoured 10-0 formation but against other sides it is unsuitable.

Gago is a much better balance even Brana alongside Masche. I can see di Maria, Kun, Pipita and Leo all prepared to work back and defend but not him. There seems to be no defined formation upfront so I hope to see plenty of interchanging and movement.

Kun can drop into that shadow nine role with ease though I'd prefer that we have real width and di Maria hugs the left touchline. Leo ?

Yes he can be the playmaker. Though again I'd prefer that Pastore and Lamela be given that role eventually. Pastore finished the season well with PSG and Lamela under Enriques guidance at Romas has come on and improved game by game (aside from that disgusting spitting incident) and should be one to look out for next season.

If he does sit there then teams will put 1-2 DM's onto him so it is imperative other players use the space created by it and do not just watch him in amazement and put some faith into their own not too small abilities.

We saw this with Barca this season at times what has been an endemic problem with the seleccion where the solution to problems on the field seems to be ,let Leo crack it by himself.

Playing Leo there does detract from his scoring potential a bit and personally my preference is to use some other playmaker there and put Messi up top on either flank with the freedom to roam at will.

---------------------------Romero----------------------------------
Zabaleta-----------Fernandez-------Musacchio---------Ansaldi------
----------------Mascherano----------------------------------------
---------------------------------------Gago------------------------
---------------------------Pastore---------------------------------
--------Messi-------------------------------------di Maria----------
--------------------------Kun/Higuain------------------------------

 

[Raed]

Pastore won't get called in. Put in any defense line you want, I do not give a shit. Just let Banega, Masch and Gago protect the midfield and three of the four of Messi, Di Maria, Higuain and Aguero all tear it up front. Really very dysfunctional but too talented not to go anywhere far.

 

[AURELIUS]

I agree with that Pastore , Lamela whoever comes along is unlikely to be called.

It's a criminal waste of flair and skill but Sabella is a pragmatist first and foremost.

He will defend in numbers and hit on the counter as a preference rather than take the attack to the opposition. So as you say 2 DM's a back four sitting would be his choice and leave the front four to get on with it although he will also demand they work back too.

That said he is overhauling the defence. New talent is appearing (how else could it be in a country steeped in football) and he has managed to get the fullbacks operating in an attacking sense as he likes to do say with Angeleri at Estudiantes.

What is surprising is his line up. It is very attacking.

Perhaps he recognizes the fact Ecuador with a pretty ropey defence will defend on the box (wonderful what Chelsea have lent to the world of football) and most of the game will be played in their final third.

I do hope Matias Rodriguez get's his oppurtunity at some point preferably for Clemente with Zabaleta switching to his more preferred leftback role.

Clemente is another like Campy who will be struggling to make it for 2014 I feel in terms of the congested schedule. Not everyone can be like Zanetti and even he would struggle with that fixture pile up.

 

[zanela]

I patented the lovechild remark Zanela.

I was the first one to use it a while back on the Arg thread. You're the guilty one.

Now to some football talk,

I'm worried for the immediate future of 3 players - Romero, Musacchio, and Federico.

Sampdoria looks set for promotion. Though not certain yet. Either way, i think he should move to a better team. I'd like to see him in LL (may be malaga or pathetico) Still wonder y there is so li'l interest in him from other clubs. He's a starter for Arg Nt, and ain't that bad.

Musacchio has been alright this past season. But with Villarreal's relegation, where do ya think he'll end up? or the best destination for him? (inter, napoli and Bayern i hear are tracking him).

Federico as you've said need to be playing regularly next season. 12 app just ain't good enough for someone at his stage of development, and who most of us albaceleste fans 've pinned our hopes on to lead the backline come 2014.

 

[mitkoa7x]

Why isnt Coloccini in any of your squads?

 

[AURELIUS]

I did say Colocinni should at the very least be called up Mitkoa. It's an odd omission along with Lamela, Pastore, Musacchio who have enjoyed strong seasons as players.

Zanela Argentina manager's seme to have a lot of lovechildren. Basile had one in Insua and Diego must have been Ariel Garce's real father. Remember him. No ? Neither do I.

Yes it is critical that tese young players get first team football. It is the only way to learn and build match fitness and hone the spatial skills. Reserve team football and sitting on the bench is just going to stultify them.

Federico is behind a Napoli mini legend in Cannavaro and a stalwart in Aronica. Even Campy had to move out onto the flanks in order to accomodate them at times although he ended up as the fans second choice in their top players of the season ranking.

If he cannot for his career's sake he should seek a spot in one of the promoted sides from serie B. Hopefully Sabella gives his players this message that playing regular club football is a pre requisite for playing for the seleccion.

I would very much like to see Damian Martinez do the same and Ansaldi move to La Liga or serie A.

 

[La LL]

Does anyone know what TV channels in Spain will be showing Argentina vs. Ecuador?

 

[Corb]

Does anyone know what TV channels in Spain will be showing Argentina vs. Ecuador?

I think no one. But in NITRO you are able to see Brazil - Mexico at Sunday 21:00.

 

[La LL]

I think no one. But in NITRO you are able to see Brazil - Mexico at Sunday 21:00.

I looked it up and I think Esport3 might be showing Argentina vs. Ecuador around 1:30 AM but thats after Bolivia vs. Chile.