Messi receives ovation from Brasil fans

Lio Messi was widely applauded by the Brasil fans during the WC Qualifying game which has caused a great deal of ire among the Brasil players.

So, Messi is a favorite among Brasil's fans.

What if Lio wore the other shirt?

What would he look like?



He would not look good at all.

Fortunately, Messi is ours.

Made in Argentina

Keeping up appearances?

Last night in Brasil, Riquelme having a warm moment with Messi.

Argentina-Brasil Lineup Update

Though this isn't official, Radio Mitre is reporting that Jonas Gutierrez will replace Maxi Rodriguez in the starting lineup and that Zanetti will move to the right midfield spot with Mascherano & Gago in the central midfield.

Also, Julio Cruz will replace Sergio Aguero in the starting lineup.

UPDATE - 7:50 PM EDT

The Official Lineup for tonight's game:

GK - Abbondanzieri
D - Burdisso
D - Coloccini
D - Heinze
M - Zanetti
M - Mascherano
M - Gago
M - Gutierrez
M - Riquelme
F - Messi
F - Cruz

Argentina vs Brasil

There's not a whole lot to say beforehand about an Argentina-Brasil game other than it is the biggest game in world football.

The news around tonight's game though has been marred by the news that's been widely reported of a rift between Lio Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme.

It remains to be seen what kind of an impact the controversy that has ensued will have on the team tonight.

Argentina is looking to bounce back from its very poor performance against Ecuador and end the latest stage of its WC Qualifying campaign on a very high note with a win over Brasil.

The starting lineup has not been confirmed yet and there are question marks on each line.

Either Gonzalo Rodriguez or Coloccini will replace Demichelis who will not be available because of yellow card accumulation.

If Mascherano plays he will move to the right side of the midfield with Gago in the central midfield spot.

If Aguero is fully recovered from his injury he will play if not then there's the possibility that Julio Cruz will join Messi upfront.

Basile will use a 4-3-1-2 formation with the following lineup:

GK - Abbondanzieri
D - Zanetti
D - Burdisso
D - Gonzalo Rodriguez/Coloccini
D - Heinze
M - Mascherano
M - Gago
M - Maxi Rodriguez
M - Riquelme
F - Messi
F - Aguero/Cruz

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

Verón: Messi is just as important as Riquelme

In an interview today on TyC Sports, Juan Sebastian Verón talked about the Riquelme-Messi controversy.

"I was surprised to hear what was said. I never saw any tensions, never saw a fight. I'm sure there are differences between them, mostly because of the age difference, differences of opinion but the objective is to win."

"These type of issues always come to light when players who are stars in their club teams, get together in the national team. I don't know what is being sought with this. Representing the country needs to be what everyone desires but it doesn't seem to be that way."

"Since I've been on the national team Grondona has always been inside the locker room before and after the games. and he talks with everyone not just with Messi."

"There are always going to be these kind of disputes because it involves two strong personalities, with influence within the team. In 1986 there was a dispute between Passarella and Maradona and we ended up world champions."

"Messi is just as important as Riquelme. Everyone is needed, Messi, Riquelme, Tevez, Aguero and the rest."

"Riquelme is not a complicated person, he doesn't speak to one person and not to another or does so behind anyone's back. He's a calm person, I don't see him as a trouble maker."

---------------

An interesting side note, Verón, who is recovering from an injury did not travel to Brasil with the team while Demichelis and Cambiasso, who are also not eligible to play against Brasil did accompany the team.

It seems to me that someone with the experience that Verón has and who is looked at as one of the leaders on the team should have traveled to Brasil to provide moral support and more importantly to provide leadership and help in maintaining team unity at this critical moment when the team is dealing with the explosive news of the Riquelme-Messi infighting and all the controversy that has ensued.

Mascherano Interview

Javier Mascherano spoke to ESPN about the game tonight.

Q - How do you anticipate a game against such an important opponent such as Brasil?

M - We've already faced them in the previous WC Qualifiers and we know it is difficult but it is a great motivation to play in such an important game and every player wants to play in this game.

Q - It's been 4 years since you made your debut against Brasil in a WC Qualifying game, at the time you had only played in a few games with River Plate, what did you think it would be like to play against, say, Ronaldo, who you had seen alot on TV?

M - Well, when you play against such important players and for the first time, those are things that make you grow. Now at this moment I'm a little more used to such duels, to playing against important players but it hasn't changed my way of thinking from 4 years ago, now of course I have more experience, but with the same eagerness to play.

Q - What are the things that motivate you to come to the national team after playing in the Premier League and everything you experienced in the last 6 months, besides the Argentina shirt, but rather the possibility of being once again a part of the national team?

M - For everybody it is important, I think, in a players career to play for your country, for your national team it is the most important thing you have and of course, it is a priority. I think that the day when you no longer want to do that, it is not an obligation. You say it and give the opportunity to another player but as long as you are eager to do it, it is a beautiful thing. In such a short career you have to take advantage of every moment.

Q - You have now surpassed 20 games with the national team, Do you feel you are an unquestionable model of this new group even though there are very important players like you on this team?

M - No. More than anything we follow the path set by the more experienced players. At no moment did I feel or feel now that I'm an unquestionable model but yes I do feel important because my teammates make me feel that way, like everyone that is here feels important. But the place of unquestionable model belongs to other people that handle that role very well.

Q - What do you feel about the opportunity to play in a game like this, for example in the way that these WC Qualifying games are played, playing well with your club team and then returning to the national team?

M - It is always like that. You get used to it. In this case it is a little strange because the Premier League season is over but I'm continuing to play but otherwise you continue to play in the Premier League, you go back and forth with the national team and everyone returns to their club team. The truth is that things don't really change that much. I'll say it again. One is here with the national team because you want to and are eager to be here and everyone that is here is proud and feels a great joy.

Heinze: We must land a blow on Brasil's table

Gabriel Heinze on the big game tonight.

"We will be going after the 3 points. It would be the best way of ending this stage of the WC Qualifying. I want to win in Brasil and believe that we will win. I can feel it. It's about time. Argentina must land a blow on Brasil's table . I am in debt with myself and want to pay it. I don't think of anything else."

"In football you can win, lose or draw. The important thing is to learn from the errors. I believe in these players. One bad performance does not tear anything down. All the national team games are vital because of the great expectations that it awakens. And there are always pressures when you play on the national team."

"It is true that the team did not function well against Ecuador and that is why we only had a draw. It made us really angry because we could not get done everything we attempted to do in front of our people. In the locker room there was a mix of sadness and anger. But it's done. We now have Brasil and we are going to give all our soul to beat them. Nobody should have any doubt of that."

Riquelme-Messi Fight

On the eve of the big WQ Qualifier against Brasil some really unfortunate news has taken over the headlines from tonight's game. That is, an internal fight between Riquelme and Messi.

According to a myriad of media reports after Argentina's dreadful performance against Ecuador, AFA president Julio Grondona approached Messi in the locker room and said to him, with Riquelme nearby and within listening range, "Look, you are the owner of the team."

Riquelme did not like the remarks made by Grondona. This incident appears to be the spark that has brought to light some ongoing tensions between Riquelme and Messi.

As far as Messi, it is being reported that he has confided in a teammate (Veron) that he cannot tolerate the airs being put on by Riquelme, that of someone untouchable, of being above everyone else and Messi went on to say that he can no longer stand Riquelme. It is also being reported that 3 days before the Ecuador game, Messi was very upset with the whole situation and came close to leaving the teams training ground. A teammate had stopped him.

What did Riquelme say about this latest controversy that involves him?

The player spoke with a reporter in the hotel where the national team is staying in Belo Horizonte.

Q - How do you get along with Messi?

R - Why?

Q - Because there are reports of a fight and of differences between you both?

R - No, definitely not. It's another invention that is being placed in my way.

Q - Why do you think that you are always in the middle of these things? It happened in Boca, in the national team?

R - It must be that I'm not liked by alot of people.


It's hard not to read the situation as a clash of egos between Riquelme and Messi. On one side there's Riquelme who is backed 100 percent by Basile, who always makes sure to praise him in public and who has made it known to everyone that Riquelme is the undisputed leader and heart of the team.

On the other side there is Messi who is without a doubt the most talented player on the team and the team's biggest star. The only superstar on the national team. It wouldn't be hard to understand why he would be angry about the special status that Basile has given Riquelme and the existence, according to Messi, of some outward airs by Riquelme.

At the heart of this alleged fight may very well be both players desire to be the undisputed leader of the national team.

If all or even some of what is being reported is true, it is not only sad but a really troubling situation that will cause serious harm to the national team.

What happens from here on? How will Basile handle this situation?

Starting Lineup Update for Ecuador game

In yesterday's training session the lineup was the following:

GK - Abbondanzieri
D - Burdisso
D - Demichelis
D - Heinze
M - Zanetti
M - Mascherano
M - Veron
M - Maxi Rodriguez
M - Riquelme
F - Messi
F - Aguero

Barring any last minute changes, Riquelme continues to recover the weight that he lost due to a case of gastroenteritis, that will probably be the lineup on Sunday against Ecuador.

Basile will use a 3-4-1-2 formation but with Zanetti in the right midfield spot, the backline easily becomes a 4 man line. Mascherano will once again be responsible for covering alot of space in the midfield as there will be no partnership with Gago, at least not at the start of the game. Veron will in theory play alongside Mascherano but he won't be static so he'll be in different areas of the field and will be looking to link up with Riquelme. Maxi Rodriguez will switch to the left side of the midfield.

Riquelme will of course lead the attack and Messi and Aguero will be the dynamic duo upfront.

Basile on not callingup Palermo

In today's press conference el Coco Basile addressed the much rumored callup that finally did not happen of Martin Palermo.

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"I like Palermo alot but since he's always playing with Boca and he did not have the possibility of playing in any friendlies, it would be disrespectful to the other 5 strikers that came from Europe for me to have calledup Palermo."

"If I bring him, the team then has to play for him in the way that he plays and if I do bring him, it is to use him."

"I'm still considering him (for a future callup)."

Veron: A climate has been created against me

Yesterday a media session was held with the players and Juan Sebastian Veron spoke. For whatever reason there is always controversy surrounding him and his callups to the national team.
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"I don't give any importance to what people say or what might happen and it doesn't affect me either. What I am accountable to, is the team, the shirt, and the manager, who has confidence in me, whether I play or not, and whenever I wasn't calledup, I always followed the team."

"I think its clear that since my return to the national team or since the World Cup, a climate has been created against me but I can't be paying attention to it or questioning what people feel or what they say or how its expressed. I play football, doing what I like and in this case, I'm accountable to the group that I'm a part of and that's why I always try to give my best."

"Because of my form as of late, I'm sure that I would contribute more to the team and the squad by being in the lineup. But the manager will decide which system to use and most of all, we'll have to adjust to what the manager requires of us. I think that by having so many options in the squad the manager will have at his disposal any system he thinks is convenient and necessary for this game and against Brasil. I think its good that he tries different things."

Possible lineup against Ecuador

The starting lineup for Sunday's WC Qualifier against Ecuador is not official yet.

Basile gave a press conference today and said that he would confirm the starting eleven on Saturday afternoon.

However, the training sessions have offered some clues.

The GK and the backline appear to be set with Abbondanzieri and Burdisso, Demichelis, Heinze defending.

The remaining questions revolve around Riquelme and Veron.

The first one is the status of Juan Roman Riquelme. If he is not 100% healthy then Basile will probably not include him in the lineup as it would make more sense to save him for the game against Brasil.


Will they play together again?

Based on what's been seen in the practice sessions it appears that Basile will go with Mascherano & Gago in the midfield and if Riquelme does not play then the team will probably have 3 players upfront. Messi, Aguero, Cruz. Basile will likely go with the 3-4-3- formation. This would leave Veron out of the lineup.

But, if Basile decides against going with Masche/Gago in the midfield then Veron might take Gago's spot. The other scenario is Basile including Riquelme & Veron in the lineup with Mascherano alone in the central midfield spot and Maxi Rodriguez on the left side.

At this point, nothing is officially confirmed so there is still a possibility that Veron will be in the starting eleven against Ecuador.

These are some of the lineup possibilities:

Lineup 1


-------------------------------------Abbondanzieri----------------------------------------


------------Burdisso------------------Demichelis--------------------Heinze----------------


---Zanetti------------------Mascherano---------Gago-------------Maxi---------------


---------------------------------------------Riquelme----------------------------------


-------------------------------Messi------------------------Aguero----------------------



Lineup 2


-------------------------------------Abbondanzieri--------------------------------------


--------Burdisso---------------------Demichelis--------------------------Heinze----------


----Zanetti-----------------Mascherano----------Veron-------------Maxi------------


--------------------------------------------Riquelme-------------------------------------------


---------------------------Messi---------------------------Aguero---------------------------



Lineup 3


---------------------------------------Abbondanzieri-----------------------------------------


----------Burdisso---------------------Demichelis---------------------Heinze-------------------


-----Zanetti----------------Mascherano-----------Gago--------------Maxi-----------------


---------------Messi-----------------------Cruz-------------------Aguero----------------------

World Cup Qualifying Resumes

The WC Qualifying campaign starts up again this weekend as the national team takes on Ecuador in Buenos Aires and then the following Wednesday in Belo Horizonte, the big one against Brasil.

Argentina is currently in second place, one point behind Paraguay in the standings, and while there are still many games left to play, the team is well positioned and should continue to progress towards securing a spot in the 2010 World Cup.

As is usually the case, there are some important issues taking place in and around the national team.

-The emergence of Sergio Aguero-


Ever since making his professional debut with Independiente at the age of 15, alot has been said and expected from el Kun Aguero. One of the greatest talents to come out of Argentina in the last 10 years. In the 2007/08 season he fully established himself in Atletico de Madrid, completing his best season in Europe, reaching new highs in goal scoring and in overall form.

This has crossed over to the national team as well. While still in its early stages, it appears that Aguero is starting to earn a permanent place in the starting lineup. More importantly, a fantastic partnership with Lio Messi is also beginning to develop.

Everyone obviously knows what Messi, even at his current age, means to Argentina but after Lio, I believe that Aguero is and will be for a very long time the national team's most important player.

All the hype and promise surrounding him is being fulfilled and at 20 years of age, el Kun has finally arrived.

- Maxi Rodriguez recovers from his injury -


Another Atletico de Madrid player. Since recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of the Copa America, Maxi went on to have a very strong finish to the 2007/08 season with his team , contributing some important goals along the way and as his performance in the recent national team friendlies in the USA confirm, Maxi is well on his way to earning a spot back in the starting lineup.

In the time that he's been away from the national team there has not been anyone who has impressed, let alone earned a permanent spot on the right side of the midfield. Basile has used other players but Maxi is the best option that Argentina has in that position and his strengths: pace, attacking ability, goal scoring, defensive skills, remains unmatched.

Maxi's recovery and return to the national team is truly fantastic news.

- Veron called up again -


After his poor performance in the last Copa America and his own announcement of retirement from the national team afterwards, it seemed that Juan Sebastian Veron's time with the national team had come to a disappointing end.

But Basile has decided to bring him back.

It's a callup that I find hard to understand. The immediate questions that come to mind are:

- Does the team need Veron?
- Is there a place in the starting lineup for Veron?

I think that Argentina has alot more to lose than gain at this point by having Veron back on the team. After the Copa America debacle, one of the very few positive outcomes seemed to be the end of the participation of a generation of players who had been with the national team for many years. The influx of younger talents and a revamping of the starting eleven, signaling the start of a new era with a new generation of players seemed to be the next logical step.

Viewing the team's footballing situation short term and long term that was clearly the way forward and it has been for the most part but that's why bringing Veron back is such a step backwards for the national team as it proceeds with its current and crucial generational transition.

In which spot would Veron play?

Basile has made one thing very clear. Juan Roman Riquelme is the teams playmaker and only an injury will take him out of the starting lineup. If the recent USA tour is any indication, without Riquelme in the lineup, Basile will change the tactical setup to 3-4-3 and even to 4-4-2. Leaving no room for any doubts that Riquelme is Basile's only choice in the playmaker spot and that he would go so far as to change the teams formation before using any other player in that position. That leaves Veron out.

The midfield?

Veron struggled enormously in the Copa America as he switched between playing in a deep midfield role, which has never been his natural position and it obviously showed as he did not have the pace and defensive skills that the role demands. There are players currently available who do fill that role. Mascherano, obviously, and to a lesser extent Gago.

Sharing the playmaking duties with Riquelme, an experiment conducted in the Copa America, despite the reality that both players have very different footballing styles, that neither one was used to sharing control of the ball and that neither was adept at allowing another player to lead the attack, resulted in a predictable individual and collective failure.

What purpose is being served by having Veron back on the national team?


- Mascherano & Gago midfield partnership -

One of the notable things that came out of the recent USA tour was Basile's experimenting with Mascherano & Gago in the midfield. Both players have strengths and weaknesses but I think that they have the potential to complement each others skills and deliver a superb amount of balance to the midfield. Mascherano's mobility and tremendous defensive presence combined with Gago's ball control and passing skills as well as being a more than adequate defensive partner.

It's a really interesting idea at the very least, that is worth pursuing. We'll have a clearer picture on the possibility of a permanent Masche/Gago partnership if Basile uses both players in the upcoming WC Qualifiers.


- Basile's tactical setup -

Another notable development during the USA tour was Basile's decision to try some different tactical formations. Most notably the 3-4-3 that worked well against Mexico. That setup won't be used with Riquelme in the lineup but as a system that would need more time and work, it could turnout to be a viable second option.

It's an important development as Argentina's WC Qualifying campaign resumes and the team continues to evolve and move forward.

Domestic Callup List for WC Qualifiers

The 5 remaining spots to complete the WC Qualifying squad are now official.

Basile selected the following players who will report tomorrow morning to the national team training grounds in Ezeiza.

GK - Juan Pablo Carrizo
M - Juan Roman Riquelme
M - Juan Sebastian Veron
M - Sebastian Battaglia
F - Rodrigo Palacio


The only surprise on the list, to me, is Battaglia. The current squad has Mascherano, Gago and Banega to cover the central midfield spot. I don't see the need for another player in that position but Battaglia has been playing well, in the domestic league and especially in the Copa Libertadores.

There were some rumors circulating that Martin Palermo would receive a callup but Basile chose to go with Palacio instead.

Juan Sebastian Veron has returned once again to the national team.