Tough Times

Turns out I was fortunate not to watch the Argentina-Brazil game live. What a buzzkiller for Labor Day Weekend. I really expected Argentina to come up with a victory and the 3-1 loss stings. The one thing that made me nervous going in was the inexperience of the central defense and that was what cost them. 2 set piece goals in the first half which are attributable to shoddy marking changed the shape of the game.

It is unfair to say the outcome would have been different under the leadership of another manager but it is undeniable that Maradona has hurt this team more than he has helped. With this latest result he has 2 wins and 3 losses in qualifying, a dismal record, and that includes an unforgettable humiliation in La Paz and this latest sour defeat to Brazil at home. At times it really seems like he doesn't understand what a national team manager does at the elite level. Almost like he thinks if he picks 11 players he likes and pats them on the back they can go out and beat anyone because the mighty Maradona believes in them. That is not the way it works. They were beaten by a Brazilian team that has continuity and identity. On top of that they had efficient execution of set pieces and clearly established ideas of how to play the game. Up against 11 players who were just out there to play, depending on the emotional charge of wearing the national team shirt to carry them through, the Brazilian superiority was never in question.

In less than 24 hours Argentina will play what is now the biggest game of the campaign to date, away to Paraguay. For all the stumbles of the Maradona era a win in Asuncion would put them within striking distance of a spot in South Africa. I hope the days since the defeat in Rosario were enough to study the opponent, fix what was wrong, and prepare for this match. Four changes have been made to the squad that started Saturday's game. Tomorrow night Argentina's 11 will be:

Sergio Romero (in for Andujar)

Emiliano Papa (for Otamendi), Heinze, Dominguez, Zanetti

Gago (for Maxi Rodriguez), Mascherano, Veron, Datolo

Messi, Aguero (for Tevez)


I am hoping for the best but to be candid this line-up screams out wait and see. Papa is a good player who can perform at this level but sliding Heinze into central defense to make room for him might not be such an awesome idea. His adventures in that alternate position are well chronicled. This incarnation of the midfield I think will do well. If there was a bright spot on Saturday it was Jesus Datolo, and with Gago in for Maxi I think there is some balance in the middle. Aguero for Tevez is not exactly like for like but it does not give the attack a radically different identity. That an offense featuring those two players plus Lionel Messi has only mustered three goals in the last four competitive games should send up red flags. It is crying out for something new. This would be a great place to try Messi alongside a true 9, either Milito or Lopez, like many have been suggesting for months.

On the other side of the equation there is cause for concern as well. Although Paraguay have looked wobbly in the last several qualifying matches they are still in a commanding position vis-a-vis Argentina. Tata Martino is a very good manager and he knows that a draw is a very comfortable result for his side. He also knows Argentina are coming in desperate and with something to prove. Given this I am sure he has spent the last few days building a safe and sturdy if boring counter-attacking game plan.

I am hoping for the best but doing so with the unfamiliar feeling that Argentina don't walk on the field with the inherent advantage I have come to expect.