La Selección Argentina

even though riquelme is like dinosaur live in modern age,

for me, sabella should consider him

his creativity in playmaking >>>>> other argentinian midfields

What's Argentina's defence line up?
And who is the 1st GK?

Romero is the starting GK, but he's being benched since the start of the season by Subasic at Monaco so that could change. Fernandez was starting even when he was 6th choice CB at Napoli and now that he's their best defender he should as well, Zabaleta and Campagnaro should be the fullbacks and Garay the other CB

Campagnaro is a CB though, I think Ansaldi is your LB.
Garay and Zabaleta are definitely starters.
Maybe the second CB should be Federico Fazio, he is having a great season in Sevilla.

And Caballero could potentialy be your first choice GK or at least get called up, because I don't see anyone better than him currently.   

http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1680751-pesimas-noticias-para-fernando-gago-lesionado-no-jugara-mas-por-el-resto-del-torneo

Gago is injured for the WC

I guess we're left with Banega and Biglia.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

shinigami99 wrote:NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

don't feel so upset

gago was just average in this boca league campaign

He will miss the first 3 matches that we're gonna win anyway. No offence but we don't need Gago to beat Iran

It's not that. It's that he won't participate in the month-long concentration to the WC (considering this is the only time the NT has to play together for an extended period of time, the importance of this cannot be overstated) and that we want him to be smooth on the ball at the WC, not rusty coming back from injury.

Should Speroni get called up?
I mean it's either him or Willy, I think Andujar and Romero aka Subasic's backup aren't decent enough to fill the spot.

good news   

Silver Lining for Gago

Reports coming from Argentina today have somewhat abated yesterday's alarms concerning Fernando Gago's left knee sprain, giving hope that the midfielder should be fit just in time for this summer's World Cup.
Having limped off during Boca's 0-0 tie with Colon, initial fears erupted that Gago could miss the World Cup, or at least the beginning of it. Boca Juniors' doctor, Dr. Jorge Batista, stated yesterday that Fernando would need "60 days". But that has now been clarified to mean the total recovery period, meaning if everything goes smoothly he could be back kicking the ball in training after just 35 days.
Argentina's national team doctor, Dr. Daniel Martinez, is understood to have communicated with Gago and Boca's medical team and ascertained that the injury will not ruin the player's chances of participating in the World Cup.
It is also speculated that Gago could feature in Argentina's last friendly before the competition against Slovenia on the 7th of June in La Plata. This would be the best time to test Gago's fitness before the Albiceleste take on Bosnia on the 15th in their first group game.

BusterLfc wrote:Should Speroni get called up?
I mean it's either him or Willy, I think Andujar and Romero aka Subasic's backup aren't decent enough to fill the spot.

If not Willy I'd prefer Saja/Barovero/Orion. Any will do, but I think Orion as already being called up has the most chances. Barovero's set piece defending does worry me though. Saja is the guy you want to have in a penalty shootout.

Good news about Gago

Been watching a lot of River lately. Barovero should at least be included as 3rd GK from what I've seen. Romero & Willy should go automatically.

Agreed about Barovero, he's been Primera's top goalkeeper in the past couple of years with Vélez and River.

I'm sweating over Pipa...

danyjr wrote:I'm sweating over Pipa...

Tests have confirmed Gonzalo Higuain suffered heavy bruising to the tibia, but no serious damage.

The Napoli striker was stretchered off during last night’s 0-0 draw with Inter after he collided with defender Marco Andreolli.

This morning he was taken in for more detailed tests, which “confirmed the initial diagnosis performed yesterday.”

It is a heavy bruise to the right tibia, so the base of the ankle where it meets the foot.

“His condition will be evaluated over the next few days.”

Although not serious, it is still a very painful injury and it remains to be seen whether Higuain will be fit for next Saturday’s Coppa Italia Final against Fiorentina.

http://www.football-italia.net/48398/higuain-injury-not-serious

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

Doesn't sound like he's at risk for the World Cup at all.

Thanks Dostoevsky.

So how do people see our chances within the group stage?

I'm not too worried about Nigeria, I think they are a fast and physical team but we have more experience and balance to deal with them. And defensively they are shit.

Bosnia are a bigger threat in my opinion. They got a few top class players like Pjanić and Džeko and they play the type of efficient counter attacking football that can hurt us should we decide to control the match.

Iran will certainly park the bus but I'm not too worried about them. If we score first that'll be the end for them.

As you pointed out, Nigeria have huge defensive issues which I believe is certain to be their downfall in the group stage, not simply against Argentina but also against Bosnia. Our recent 2-2 draw with them flattered them hugely, whilst they also looked extremely shaky at the Confederations Cup, I don't see them being able to keep up with you for an entire 90 minutes.

Bosnia's certainly the greatest threat, however one thing that is almost certain to play into your hands is your ability to flatten the smaller fish of the groups, giving you the edge on goal difference. Whilst I believe you'll probably win all of your group stage matches, a draw against Bosnia should prove sufficient to top the group as I can't see them thrashing the other teams to the same degree.

Egypt beat Bosnia 2-0 in Bosnia.

They're not a problem trust me

danyjr wrote:Thanks Dostoevsky.

So how do people see our chances within the group stage?

I'm not too worried about Nigeria, I think they are a fast and physical team but we have more experience and balance to deal with them. And defensively they are shit.

Bosnia are a bigger threat in my opinion. They got a few top class players like Pjanić and Džeko and they play the type of efficient counter attacking football that can hurt us should we decide to control the match.

Iran will certainly park the bus but I'm not too worried about them. If we score first that'll be the end for them.

Someone did an analysis based on FIFA rankings and we have the easiest group out of all 32 teams

That was me

the NT is not announced yet right?? any idea of possible announcement.....we have few injury issues, so probably it will not be announced until deadline.....

pls Di Maria...recover for WC

He's fine. He might even play in the CL final.

this year alone has provided some injury scares for argentina
messi, di maria, aguero, gago
all that's missing is higgy.

Aguero is made out of glass.

Would be genuinely surprised if he doesn't get injured during the tournament.