Argentina National Team, Post World Cup Discussion

[Lalo]

It was not easy but a point obtained in the altitude of Quito. An early goal from a penalty the Ecuador goalie committed against Palacio which Aguero converted. After that Argentina did not create many chances and did struggle in the air defending Ecuador's powerful players but the team held on as the game changed once Leo Messi entered the field. His presence put some fear in Ecuador and they attacked less just when you would have expected them to be at their best as Argentina tired in the altitude.

Both Peruzzi and Rojo struggled defending on the wings and Banega did not have a good game either, he did not pass the ball well nor did he help Peruzzi much defensively. I think Gago's absence was felt.

I thought Mascherano was probably Argentina's best player but then he goes and ruins it with a stupid expulsion for kicking at the guy driving the cart which carried him off the field after an injury!

Argentina are in excellent shape in qualifying but the team again showed a lack of creativity without Messi and for the first time in awhile some questions were raised by the defensive play. Sabella still has things to work on.

[CelesteBlanca10]

Another point in Quito as the NT draws 1-1 with Ecuador - a valuable point given the altitude and the strength of the oponent, but could've been 3.

Peruzzi simply wasn't able to hold Montero that almost always passed from that flank dangerously, and that's bad news because we need another good right back to backup Zabaleta.
Their goal was too easy - Fede Fernandez just missed his mark on that one, other than that, he did pretty good, especially taking the ball out of Caicedo's feet for Ecuador's winner at the end.

It was clear that the directions to the forwards was to shoot from outside - they did that and the first goal came from a good shot from DiMaria that Palacio took the rebound and fouled - an automatic red card for the keeper in my eyes, but oh well. DiMaria actually had a good few other shots, but how he didn't make a goal at the end is beyond me.

Messi came in and as usual changed the dynamics of the game. Ecuador didn't attack as much, and he could've scored as well a couple of times but missed. Funny how the altitude seems to bother him more than others - he was air-less after 5 minutes.

It was pretty amazing to see how the ball behaves differently in the altitude - you see how the players try to make a pass with confidence and the ball just flies out of bounds.

So the point doesn't secure us a spot in Brasil yet, but it does secure us being in the top 5 for sure. Next game is against Paraguay in September, in which a win means Brasil 2014. Oh yea, it'll be without Masche ... because .. ay Masche .. what a weird red card for him as he kicks the cart driver because he was driving too fast and wouldn't slow down lol ...

[enganche]

I agree with the comments from both Lalo and CelesteBlanca. Overall a satisfactory result in difficult conditions, a silly red card for Mascherano, more signs of how much messi means to the team but some concerns about the defense, especially on the flanks and in defending in the air. If Ecuador had success doing that what would a European team do against that type of defending? I hope Sabella uses the August friendly date to schedule a good European team to give the team more seasoning against that sor tof play.

[rosarino]

A point in the altitude is a decent enough result and while Argentina played the 2nd and 3rd place teams in this doble jornada, a pair of ties was not the best of results. But it does serve to highlight how much Messi means to this team. Without him it is just not the same team. Of course missing Higuain for 3/4 of these two games also effected the overall performance too.

But I am a little concerned about the defending against Ecuador, especially on the wings. I have been wanting to see Peruzzi with the national team and we got a chance but he had some problems. Do not discard him after this but it does seem clear he is still a work in progress. As for Rojo, well he simply does not seem good enough for a team of Argentina's quality. But who else is there to replace him?

Romero cannot be blamed for anything but I still hold out hope that Sabella will come to his senses and select Willy Caballero, who for me is one of the world's best goalkeepers.

And neither Biglia nor Banega really made their mark as alternatives to Gago. I believe Banega can still be productive as Gago's backup and he will likely receive more playing time but the Albiceleste do need to recover Gago and his calming influence in midfield.

[CelesteBlanca10]

Tonight Argentina is playing a friendly against Guatemala - a friendly that will be an opportunity for some players to try and impress Sabella.

After this game, Messi finally can get his rest .. he has played over 120 games this year, crazy ... That's why Seniorini, the PF in 2010, said This

A lot of starters are missing for different reasons - Garay, Zabeleta, DiMaria, Masche ...

Lamella will have his opportunity tonight to start, occupying DiMaria's spot. Looking forward to see his communication with Messi - he had a good season in Rome, and can add explosion to the attack.

Also we'll probably see Campanaro and Basanta playing together for the first time in the center of defense, while Peruzzi and Clemente might occupy the flanks. I wish Coloccini would start, but if he doesn't, i hope he'll get some minutes at least as I think he's a wonderful and experienced defender.

As I don't think Higuain is around, we might see Kun as the 9, as both Lavezzi and Palacio are more of a second striker.

To start this game, we might see something like this:

Romero (or maybe Orion?)
Peruzzi Campanaro Basanta Clemente
Banega Augusto Fernandez
Lavezzi Messi Lamela
Kun

[enganche]

4-0 for Argentina versus Guatemala in a low key friendly. Lionel Messi scored 3 goals, one via penalty, Augusto Fernandez with the other.

Argentina's team:

Andujar, Campagnaro, Coloccini, Basanta, C. Rodríguez, Fernández, Biglia, Guiñazú, Agüero, Lavezzi y Messi.

The numerous subs:

45' Rodrigo Braña por Lucas Biglia
45' Erik Lamela por Sergio Agüero
64' Javier Mascherano por José María Basanta
68' Rodrigo Palacio por Lionel Messi
71' Ever Banega por Pablo Guiñazu
79' Walter Montillo por Ezequiel Lavezzi


So did Basanta, Coloccini and Augusto Fernandez do enough to convince Sabella that they deserve more playing time? We will find out in August.

[CelesteBlanca10]

i have to say I was pretty impressed with Fernandez - dribbles great, very offensive ... loved how he played!! I want to see more of him.

Coloccini almost scores with a header ... was pretty cool to see how at the end of the game, Coloccini and Masche took the central defense under their control .. so much experience and confidence there.

I don't know about Basanta ... he wanted to help out offensively, but couldn't get one pass right

[rosarino]

Maybe an end of season friendly against a weak team like Guatemala is meaningless in manyw ays but I also thought there were some useful matters to emerge from the game. many of which CelesteBlanca touched on. Coloccini and Mascherano made a good defensive tandem. True they were not tested often but they looked comfortable together. Basanta is not a abd defender but I too question his ball playing ability.

As for Augusto Fernandez, he was an interesting addition to the team. I'd like to see him in August in a friendly before qualifying resumes again in September.