SA Blog Number 23: World Cup Preview - Argentina

9th June 2010

A circus-like atmosphere has engulfed the Argentinian national team since Diego Maradona’s appointment in October 2008, quite a lot has gone on: he called up over 100 players, which while it was of course a little excessive, it should be noted that he faced a number of internationals for home-based players only; the high profile omissions, Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso were in poor form and were two of the most heavily criticized players in the team before Maradona’s arrival; the 6-1 drubbing in La Paz, can´t excuse that one; the Riquelme spat, ummm; Rolando Schiavi; the Italian tax bill; the weight loss clinic; the refusal to play Brazil at El Monumental; the website hackings; telling the press to “blow him” in Montevideo; the dog bite; Playstations, luxury bathrooms and 24-hour access to ice cream; and so on and so on and so on…. We´ve all had a jolly old chuckle at his expense, but it is worth noting the state of the team he inherited from Alfio ‘Coco’ Basile.

Argentina had won just one of their first seven CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers and were in complete disarray. While the world will continue to question his unorthodox methods, Maradona seems to have emerged from a difficult 18 months with everything you need going into a world cup: qualification, a system, and a strong, and settled, group of players.

Argentina begin their World Cup campaign with a tricky tie against Nigeria, this weekend and coach Diego Maradona is expected to line-up with the team that beat Germany 1-0 in March: Romero; Otamendi, Demichelis, Samuel, Heinze; Gutiérrez, Mascherano, Veron, Di Maria; Messi, Higuain.

Following Argentina’s troublesome qualification campaign, preparing for the World Cup was difficult for an ostensibly confused Diego Maradona. Faced with the dilemma of whether to follow Carlos Bilardo’s famous defensive blueprint or Cesar Luis Menotti’s renowned attacking philosophy, it seems that, despite his many, and well publicized, disagreements with Bilardo, Diego opted for a safety first approach and tightened the defence with four central defenders.

“Why do I need my full-backs to cross the halfway line?” Maradona asked recently, “That’s what my wingers are for!” For all his critics, the system was key to Argentina’s eventual qualification: stumbling across the finish line with an ultra-defensive performance in Montevideo. A victory believed by many to have been orchestrated by Bilardo.

They face Nigeria in their opener this weekend, who will be tough opponents. The Africans, who were undefeated in qualifying, are a well-organised unit, solid in defence, and coach Lagerback is renowned for forming hard-working teams with a strong group ethic. The Super Eagles won’t park the bus either. With a lack of natural wingers available, it seems unlikely he will switch from Nigeria’s tried and tested 4-3-3 to his favoured 4-4-2. Argentina’s vulnerable full-back positions may appear safe, but the dynamic Peter Odemwingie - aiming for revenge after defeat in the 2008 Olympics final - will be deployed as wide as possible to pressure the relatively untested Nicolas Otamendi and an ageing Gabriel Heinze.

Following Diego’s fall-out with the imperial Juan Roman Riquelme, 35-year-old Juan Veron was instantly installed as the team’s creative hub. With Jonas Gutierrez and Javier Mascherano expected to start alongside him in midfield, two workman-like defensive-minded players, Argentina could struggle to move the ball if Nigeria can stifle Veron’s rhythm. With John Obi Mikel ruled out with injury, Nigeria coach LL is expected to order Sani Kaita and Dickson Etuhu to nullify that danger; pressurizing Veron into mistakes at every opportunity, whilst also protecting the small area in front of the back four where Messi roams dangerously behind lone striker Gonzalo Higuain.  Furthermore, with no attacking fullbacks, Maradona has forfeited the element of surprise in case the midfield run out of ideas. Stop Veron, and you may just stop Argentina.

Though their recent friendly with Canada was more of a celebration than an important pre-tournament test, Maradona seems to have emerged from the match with a ‘Plan B.’ Maxi Rodriguez came into the midfield that night as Jonas dropping into full-back, not only did Maxi grab himself a brace but the team found a prosperous fluidity that had been missing during qualification. The sacrifices made in midfield – with the omission of Fernando Gago and Ever Banega - to accommodate six strikers, could still cost Los Albicelestes if they reach the latter stages and come up against more accomplished opposition. But with Carlos Tevez, Diego Milito and Kun Aguero kicking their heels on the bench, Diego has a wealth of options in the event that he needs to fill a hole between midfield and attack. "We have the best team, at the World Cup" says Leo Messi, who vowed to "repeat my performances for Barca for my country during the World Cup." Training is reportedly going well, with the coach claiming the team is in "frightening form," and they seem to be having a lot of fun too.

While the many skepics doubt that Maradona has the tactical nous to go on to become only the second man in history to lead his side to a World Cup both as captain and as coach, for Diego himself, everything´s going according to plan. After leaving the field in 1986 clutching the most coveted prize in world football, Maradona’s first words to coach Carlos Bilardo were, “come on, get it off your chest!” Bilardo’s reply: “leave it out Diego, this is something I’ve wanted a very long time and it’s not against anybody.”

For Maradona, everything must be achieved against everybody. So say what you will, but in the words of the man himself, you can “carry on sucking” because for all his many, many pitfalls, if El Diego had to write his own script to World Cup glory as coach - this is exactly how it would have gone up to now.

Rupert Fryer & Brian Maxwell, SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk

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