World Cup Preview - Group B - Argentina
Nickname: "La Albiceleste (The White and Sky Blues")FIFA ranking: 8th
Coach: Diego "Hand of God" Maradona.
Game Schedule:
June 12 – Argentina vs. Nigeria (Jo'burg, 7:30 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 17 – Argentina vs. South Korea (J'burg, 2:30 p.m., ESPN)
June 22 – Argentina vs. Greece (Polokwane, 2:30 p.m., ESPN)
Prospects: On paper, Argentina have everything going for them: a defense anchored by veterans such as Burdisso, Zanetti and Dimichelis; a midfield in which Maxi Rodriguez is surplus to requirements; and possibly the most potent attack in world football that includes Milito, Aguero and Messi. Add to that a relatively easy ride through to the quarterfinals, at which point they probably meet Germany, and Argentina fans might be forgiven for dreaming of a third World Cup win this summer. But I've picked Argentina to win in past the two tournaments only to see them fall apart. The big question mark this time around is the man in charge - the best footballer Argentina has ever produced but also a massive headcase and hardly the calming influence you'd want at the helm of a World Cup squad.
Key Player: Lionel Messi - for a player who is generally considered the best footballer in the world, it's time to step up and lead his team and himself to eternal greatness.
Youngster to watch: 21-year old Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, who just led his club team to European glory. He is all that.
Who Will Get the Goals: Take your pick - there are bags of goals in a side that Carlos Tevez will probably not get into.
Who Will Get the Cards: Liverpool's hatchet man Javier Mascherano starts on a yellow in my book.
Prediction: A smooth run in a reasonably difficult Group B, leading to an easy win over Mexico in the Round of 16 followed by a tight win in a bad-tempered match with Germany. Finally, edged out in a thrill-fest semi-final against Spain on July 7.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 10:12 PM
2 Comments:
The interest in their provo squad is the absence of both Cambiasso and Zanetti and the inclusion of J S Veron and penalty-nightmare, Martin Palermo.
Bags of attacking talent, and they'll skate through their group, but I see a difficult passage that they may not be mentally capable of getting through.
I saw that after I posted. Zanetti is getting on a bit, but I'd have still had him in the side for his experience. After all, Veron is fairly ancient too. And Palermo? Should be good for the "Favorite Hairstyle" category.
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