FIFA World Cup

[Always Laziali]

This is the thread to post all the latest news about Argentina's World Cup Campaign.Be it injuries,bust ups,anything which concern about Argentina's build up to the FIFA World Cup.

[Always Laziali]

This is the official lineup for the game against Nigeria.
Team: (3-4-3): Pablo Cavallero; Mauricio Pochettino, Roberto Ayala, Walter Samuel; Javier Zanetti, Diego Simeone, Juan Sebastian Veron, Juan Pablo Sorin; Ariel Ortega, Gabriel Batistuta, Claudio Lopez.

[valdanito]

well no Kily no Lopez:o

[valdanito]

In the past two World Cups Argentina failed to make a mark. While in 1994 Maradona's drug abuse scandal was to be blamed for their second round exit, four years later it was a mix of inexperience and bad luck that forced the Albino-Celestes to bow out in the quarterfinal round courtesy of a late Denis Bergkamp piece of magic.

This time they have no excuses. They have two experienced leaders like Gabriel Omar Batistuta and Claudio Paul Caniggia, their WC 98 rising stars Ariel Ortega, Javier Zanetti, and Juan Sebastian Veron are all in the prime of their career, and a set of new world class youngsters such as Walter 'The Wall' Samuel, Pablito Aimar, and fresh Lazio signing Juan Pablo Sorin have been added to the squad, thereby leaving coach Bielsa with an immense amount of solutions and alternatives.

The Argentine's go into this match with tremendous pressure on their shoulders as following the historic opening day upset suffered by World Champions France, the South Americans have been elevated to the status of tournament favourites.

The mission awaiting Bielsa's players is probably more difficult than the one France failed to achieve as Nigeria aren't new comers on the World Cup stage.

The African Eagles could quite possibly be the most "slept on" team going into the tournament, as very few reckon that the Super Eagles have what it takes to lift the most coveted trophy on the planet. The world could be in for a very big surprise in one month's time, however, should coach Adegboye Onigbinde succeed in getting the best out of a relatively untested, young team that arguably only trail four-time World Cup champs Brazil in terms of inborn footballing talent.

Whether youth will prove a blessing or a curse is the most significant of many questions surrounding the Nigerian side, who have been unshackled from the allegedly corrosive influences of former team generals Sunday Oliseh and Finidi George. Two "Super Egos" lighter, Nigeria now heavily revolve around the vital spine of the team, that is comprised of PSG's scintillating playmaker Jay-Jay Okacha, Arsenal's stilt-legged attacking wizard Nwankwo Kanu, as well as hard-nosed centre-back Taribo West (currently clubless). Complimenting their experience, is an enthusiastic and exhilarating bunch, who are mostly in – or just out of – their teens. Among those, a pair of potential rising stars of the tournament, in the form of Shakhtar Donetsk striker Julius Aghahowa and PSG forward Bartholemew Ogbeche.

How well Nigeria manage to weigh up against the Argentineans is likely to set the whole mood of the tournament for them, though Onigbinde – a former school headmaster turned coach – is not planning to prepare for the tournament favourites any different than he would for any of the 30 other contenders. "I respect all their stars, but I think more about the team as a whole," he said. "If you tell me a player has three or four legs, or two heads, then that's special. But to me, it's just one man."

TEAM NEWS

Argentina-Early on Saturday morning Marcelo Bielsa announced Gabriel Omar Batistuta, and not Hernan Crespo was going to be the team's sole striker against Nigeria. But the decision to field the Roma striker from the starting whistle wasn't the only unexpected decision the Argentine boss announced. In fact, keeper Cavallero and left forward Claudio Lopez will get the start over Burgos and Kily Gonzales respectively.


Nigeria-Onigbinde has insisted that Julius Aghahowa will be fit to face Argentina, despite the fact that he was forced to undergo medical tests after limping out of training on Friday. "It is a minor problem and nothing to be scared about," the coach assured. "Julius will be ready for our match against Argentina." Onigbinde was not as positive about the availability of Celestine Babayaro, who only just joined the squad after missing most of Nigeria's build-up through injury. Ajax starlet Justice Christopher is prepared to deputize for him should the Chelsea side-back fail a late fitness test. Another question the coach has is whether to opt for the more offensive-minded Pius Ikedia on the right-wing, or the more defensively-sound Garba Lawal. We suspect he will choose to move Lawal inside, effectively freeing up Ikedia - this in mind of Onigbinde's penchant for attacking football.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Argentina (3-4-3) Cavallero- Pochettino, Ayala, Samuel- Zanetti, Simeone, Veron, Sorin- Ortega, Batistuta, Claudio Lopez

Nigeria (4-4-2): Shorunmu – Babayaro, West, Okoronkwo, Yobo – Adepoju, Lawal, Okocha, Ikedia - Kanu, Aghahowa.


WHO'S HOT

Claudio Lopez: The Lazio player had a fantastic final part to his Serie A season, and has presented himself at the World Cup appointment in fantastic shape. Bielsa obviously noticed this, and gave him the nod at Liga champ Kily Gonzales' expense.

Julius Aghahowa: Nigeria's most prolific scorer in the qualifiers has encouragingly kept his shooting boots firmly fastened, having bagged three goals in his last three friendly appearances for the Super Eagles. The Shakhtar speed-demon is poised to present himself as a real handful for Argentina's sluggish defense.

WHO'S NOT

Gabriel Omar Batistuta: Bielsa's decision must have given 'The Lion King' a much needed confidence boost, as it appeared the Roma striker was destined to witness the Nigeria match from the bench. Honestly, I believe Bielsa took an extremely brave decision as Batistuta did nothing this season to deserve the start. Could he have possibly been saving both mental and physical energies for the last World Cup of his career? Only tomorrow's match will tell.

Celestine Babayaro: The technically-adept left-back is not likely to be at his best on Sunday, as he will surely be feeling some affects from the thigh injury he suffered playing for Chelsea towards the end of the season which so nearly kept him out of the tournament.

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

These two teams have met twice before in this decade. At USA 94 a Caniggia double allowed the Argentines to come back and defeat Nigeria in both teams' second match of the group phase, while two years later Nigeria got their revenge at the Atlanta Olympics as they clinced the gold medal at the Argentine's expense thanks to a late Amunike strike.


well! here we go........... Forza Argentina!

[Always Laziali]

Match Report:
headed goal by Gabriel Batitstuta on 67 minutes gave tournament favourites Argentina a deserved 1-0 victory over Nigeria in the Group F opener. The South Americans would have won by a more convincing margin but for a series of outstanding saves by Ike Shoronmu.

[Always Laziali]

Pablo Cavallero 6

Mauricio Pochettino 6,5

Diego Placente 6,5

Walter Samuel 7

Javier Zanetti 6,5

Diego Simeone 6,5

Juan Sebastian Veron 7
(Pablo Aimar 78') n.e.

Juan Pablo Sorin 7,5

Ariel Ortega 6,5

Claudio Lopez 5
(Kily Gonzalez 46') 6,5

Gabriel Batistuta 7,5
(Hernan Crespo 81') n.e.

THE BEST

Who else but today's match winner Batigol! The Roma striker looked like he was a finished player in the latter part of this Serie A season, but today he looked like his younger version! Quick, dynamic, and lethal.

THE WORST

Claudio Lopez was shaky as he usually is with Lazio. He failed to have any sort of impact on the game despite his great technical skills. His place is in danger if Kily raises his own standards.

The best player has to be Ortega who was teasing the Nigerian defence during the entire match at the Ibaraki today.

[Flukey Lukey]

Pablo Cavallero 6

Mauricio Pochettino 6

Diego Placente 6.5

Walter Samuel 7

Javier Zanetti 7

Diego Simeone 5

Juan Sebastian Veron 6.5
(Pablo Aimar 78') n.e.

Juan Pablo Sorin 8

Ariel Ortega 6

Claudio Lopez 5
(Kily Gonzalez 46') 6

Gabriel Batistuta 7,5
(Hernan Crespo 81') n.e.


I thought Sorin loked like a very good player, had a good game.

[Always Laziali]

And the best part is that he is joining Lazio next season.

[Always Laziali]

During the course of this campaign,i would be posting the profile of the man of the match for Argentina.According to reports,Juan Sebastien Veron is the man of the match and this is his profile:

SQUAD NUMBER: 11
NAME: Juan Sebastian Verón
POSITION: Midfielder
HEIGHT: 1.86 M
WEIGHT: 80 Kg
GOALS: 7
CAPS: 46
CLUB: Manchester United
BIRTHDATE: Mar 09, 1975

PLAYER BIO

The cynics will claim that Veron is using the World Cup as a platform to woo new employers after a season of speculation over his long term future in Manchester.
The midfield maestro signed for the Old Trafford club in a massive £28m deal last summer has the talent and ability to be one of the stars of the finals and his form will be crucial in deciding how far Argentina will go.

Scored five goals in qualifying.


PLAYER FEATURE

Manchester United's Juan Sebastian Veron is the hub of Marcelo Bielsa's Argentina, the player who dictates their tempo and creates many of their goals.
As such he would appear irreplaceable, to the point where Argentina's tag of favourites might lose its validity if he did not play.

As if to reinforce his standing in Bielsa's team, Veron scored twice when Argentina kicked off their South American qualifying campaign with an emphatic 4-1 home win over Chile.

Veron only missed two of the 18 qualifying matches and added another three goals including the first in the 2-0 away win over Ecuador at altitude in August that secured Argentina's berth in South Korea and Japan with four games to spare.

Bielsa has turned to Marcelo Gallardo of Monaco to run the midfield when Veron has been unavailable.

Their strength in depth, with the likes of Pablo Aimar and Juan Roman Riquelme also gunning for the playmaking role, can be a boon not only for Bielsa but also Veron, knowing the team do not depend too much on him.

Veron took the game by the scruff of the neck in the World Cup warmup against Wales in Cardiff in February, laying on the equaliser in a typically dynamic second-half performance to extend Argentina's unbeaten run to 15 matches.

That Argentina side was experimental and full of reserves. But when Veron is surrounded by the likes of Kily Gonzalez, Ariel Ortega and Javier Zanetti and with Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo up front, he can become the supreme conductor of the orchestra.

Argentina's rivals will need to neutralise Veron's mixture of South American guile and European energy matured during his years with Italian clubs Sampdoria, Parma and Lazio to dent their bid for a third world crown.

Veron has had a relatively quiet season after a dashing start with United in England, often seeming bewildered by the sheer speed of premier league football.

But the fact that he has not been playing every week, either through injury or indifferent form, means Veron will be fresh for the World Cup in June, when he will be one of the potential stars of the tournament.

[Always Laziali]

England drew 1-1 with Sweden,we are sure to top the group now.

[valdanito]

the table looks like this:

Argentina 3
England 1
Sweeden 1
Nigeria 0

one more victory will get us through to the next round, i want that victory to be against England but 9 points woould be great

[Always Laziali]

They will definitely get 9 points if they continue playing how they play against Nigeria and finish all their chances.

[valdanito]

well 9? i think if France end 2nd they loose their match onpupose to avoid them

[Always Laziali]

We must not get 2nd if not we would have a very hard draw.We would have to face the 2nd of Goup A and if we win them,we may have to face Brazil.But if we finish 1st and France 1st,we would face either Senegal or Denmark.

[valdanito]

well! what if France takes 2nd this is WC! anything can happen

[King Italy]

A France-Argentina second round match is looking a big possibility.

[Always Laziali]

But I fancy Argentina and France will top the group.

[Always Laziali]

Great news for Argentina!

Argentina skipper Roberto Ayala and Claudio Caniggia are expected to be fielded for Group F showdown with England, reported Sky Sports. Both players had to miss their win over Nigeria with injuries, however the team doctors believe Ayala, who was left out at the last minute after sustaining a thigh injury in the warm up will be fit for the upcoming match alongside with Caniggia, who seems to have overcome his knee ligament problem.
Ayala stated: "I'm sure that I will be in excellent condition. We were warming up half an hour before the match and I felt that the muscles in my right leg were too hard.
"I didn't want to risk myself because, if I'd played, maybe something minor could have turned into a major muscle tear. I will be having medical tests to see what the exact problem is, but I am sure it isn't anything serious."

[Roberto Abrego]

Hope Argentina beat the crap out of England.

[Always Laziali]

Don't worry,they will.

[valdanito]

only canniggia will be fit not Ayala:(

bvut we cant still kick their ass badly

[Roberto Abrego]

yeah u will.

[Roberto Abrego]

I predict a 2-0

[valdanito]

nice prediction

[Always Laziali]

Ayala is fit but Bielsa doesn't want to risk him for the England match and also because Placente is doing very well.

[Roberto Abrego]

Originally posted by juan botello
nice prediction

thanx

[valdanito]

if Argies loose i leave the forum!:mad: (nahhhh just triying to play the tough man)

[Always Laziali]

Argentinian footballing great Diego Maradona said on Friday he was confident that his nation would go on to success at the World Cup despite their 1-0 defeat to old foes England.

"I say that the team with history behind it never loses," said Maradona, who in 1986 skippered Argentina to one of their two World Cup triumphs.

"Teams like that are always on the edge of something great and Argentina is a team with history," he said from Cuba in a statement carried on Argentinian channel TN.

And Maradona said he would soon be leaving his home in Havana to travel to Japan to watch the World Cup after the government there finally agreed to grant him a visa despite his history of drug-taking.

Maradona, 41, whose infamous 'Hand of God' goal helped knock England out of the 1986 World Cup, said he most indentified with a handful of players in the current team.

"I identify myself most with the Witch (Juan Sebastian Veron), with Kily Gonzalez, with Cholo (Diego Simeone)... with boys who really love to play," he said.

A penalty from captain David Beckham gave England victory over Argentina in Sapporo, Japan, on Friday.

[Always Laziali]

Argentina have set their sights on avenging their painful 1-0 defeat to England in the semi-finals, where it is possible the teams will meet again.

The South American's must beat Sweden on Wednesday though to stand any chance of that happening.

Argentine football federation president Julio Humberto Grondona said: "They (the players) hunger for revenge. They are already thinking of playing them again in the semi-finals.

"They have already swallowed the match against England and now they want revenge, in a sporting sense. It would be a good opportunity to get that in the semi-finals.


It is wonderful they remian positive,they now need to go out there and give their best.The presence of Maradona will do well for the team as well.

[Always Laziali]

Diego Maradona sent an open letter to the Argentina team, professing his faith in their ability to recover from Friday's defeat to England.

He told the players that the 1-0 setback should not spell the end of their World Cup hopes and insisted it was time to move on and beat Sweden.

Maradona was originally banned from Japan due to his criminal record, but authorities have relented and he is expected to be at Miyagi on Wednesday for the Sweden match.

Below is the complete text of the letter, published in sports newspaper `Ole':

`Dear boys,

'Why would I deny it: the defeat against England hit me as much as any of you. I was sad and cried. I tell you that I cried a lot, as surely you did it too. But it's over. Crying is useful for nothing. It's the time for giving the heart and move on.

'When things are going badly, you have to find strength from anywhere if you want to accomplish what you desire. It happened to me, I gave my heart and could move on. And I know you will do the same, because I know you and I love you. You make up a great squad, something you proved me in my tribute match.

'The country is with you and you know that. From Fiorito to Ushuaia, there's a dream going on. In each place there's a person with the same illusion as you and me. The kids, the grandpas, [Maradona's daughters] Dalma and Gianinna, your family, we're all with this team until the death.

'That's why I think that one hit can't knock you down. It has to give you, on the other side, more push. And the valuable teams, as the one you make up, know how to react to these things. I know that you will defeat Sweden and qualify to the round of 16. I have no doubts.

'Argentina needs you. And me... I have a huge faith on you. I know that you will place the light blue and white flag in the top, as I did it some day. I want you to know that I never will let you alone. In each national anthem, in each dribbling, in each pass and in each stadium I will be with you. Because I always play for you.

'You can be sure of that. Sure as that my name is Diego Armando Maradona.'



Now i can be sure that Argentina will be more motivated to beat Sweden.

[valdanito]

ofcourse!!!!! they all look upo to him

[Always Laziali]

My prediction for the match Sweden 0 Argentina 1

[valdanito]

I expect more goals

[Always Laziali]

How can we score so many goals when we are only playing with the off-form Batigol.And not the on-form little Valdano?

[JD]

Originally posted by juan botello
if Argies loose i leave the forum!:mad:

bye bye botello

[valdanito]

lol!:D

Ariel Ortega refuses to contemplate any result other than an Argentina win against Sweden on Wednesday.

"I know we are going to beat Sweden," insisted the Fenerbahce-bound midfielder. "I'm not even considering any other scenario. We will definitely progress to the next phase.

"We've got a great group of players and I have every confidence in them. We are so together and we have got so much to give to the tournament. I think that it'll be 2-0 to Argentina."

Ortega, who now looks set to quit River Plate for Turkey, added: "We know that Sweden will be play a tough game. They are a big team and they will look to defend in numbers. But we will find a way of opening up their defence.

"We're not going to pass up this opportunity. Of course, everyone is slightly anxious, but we are trying to remain calm and patient. We've been waiting years for this."

Ortega admitted that Friday's 1-0 defeat has hurt the Argentina players - but not just because it was the hands of arch-rivals England. "What hurt the most we seeing our unbeaten run disappear," he said.

"Maybe it would have hurt a bit less if it wasn't against England, but I don't think we deserved to lose.

"We didn't play badly but they got that penalty and we simply didn't get the luck that they got. Personally, I was reasonably satisfied with my performance, but I know that I can give more."


lets hope all he said is true

[Always Laziali]

I always believe in Psychology.His words will lift up Argentina and possibily sprint them forward to the world cup final.He and Maradona still believes in Argentina so why shouldn't the rest do the same?

[Always Laziali]

Argentina refuse to contemplate a premature World Cup funeral in their decisive group F match against Sweden on Wednesday.

The pre-tournament favourites must beat the Swedes to ensure they progress to the second round from a tough pool often referred to as the 'Group of Death'.

Having made a good start with a 1-0 win over Nigeria, Argentina find themselves in third place, one point behind both Sweden and England with one match to go.

'I don't even look at my suitcases,' said forward Ariel Ortega, summing up the mood of confidence among the Argentines.

Gabriel Batistuta said that if Argentina's well-organised attacking style failed them, they would have to grind out a victory by sheer guts.

But Ortega added: 'To have guts is to play (good) football.'

Some of the more established players in the team have not be firing on all cylinders, notably Juan Sebastian Veron in Argentina's 1-0 defeat by England on Friday.

Midfielder Javier Zanetti said Argentina's best players so far had been World Cup debutants Walter Samuel, standing in as sweeper for injured captain Roberto Ayala, and Pablo Aimar.

Aimar, Veron's substitute against England, is expected to play from the start against Sweden to dictate a more typically South American attacking style based on dribbling runs with the ball kept on the ground.

The biggest question mark over the team to be fielded by coach Marcelo Bielsa is whether Veron has a place in it, in a deeper midfield role behind Aimar. If so, that could mean Diego Simeone is dropped.

[JD]

how big a mistake has Bielsa made in
1) not even trying out a 2 striker system before the world cup
2) leaving Saviola at home (maybe u can't play Batigol & Crespo together but Saviola could play with either1 of them)
3) not bringing Riquelme as a n alternate playmaker when Veron's form is so poor

[Always Laziali]

Bielsa is thinking of fielding Crespo and batigol together and who knows,they might be the most dangerous pair ever to grace the world cup.

[JD]

If he is he is idiot - how can it b tried 4 the 1st time in a world cup - he only ever played 1 out and out striker in every qualifier or friendly and I nevr saw those 2 play together at all!

4me the best Arge strike force would b Saviola and Crespo - which mayB Barca's strike force nxt season

[Always Laziali]

Barca has said they will not be signing Crespo as he is too pricey for them.Read in the Lazio forum!

[JD]

thats wot they say now lets c wot hapens...
Cragnotti is not very clear in his public statements - I think they are merely trying 2 maximise the $£$£ they will get4him

[Always Laziali]

Cragnotti won't be so stupid as to risk his life by selling them!

[valdanito]

this guys obviously does not know much about Lazio

[JD]

how ridiculous - without cragnotti you were not even challenging for lo scudetto, he has invested an enormous amonut of his own money in making u a big club and the fans threaten his life - wot an ungrateful bunch u are

[Always Laziali]

Okay imagine this Arsene Wenger won the treble in 2003/2004 and then sells Henry,Viera,Pires,Ljungberg and buy 3 players who performed lousily.What would be your reaction?

[Roberto Abrego]

my reaction will be fine as long as Ljunberg goes to FC Barcelona or AC Milan

[Always Laziali]

You never know.Managers can grow crazy all the sudden

[JD]

That is totally different. Wenger is a manger who gets paid by the club
Cragnotti has given enormous sums of money to a medium sized club and made it one of the biggest in Italy - without his monry Lazio could not have competed at the top level as they have.

Also whatever Wenger did, if he believed it 2b the best thing u hav2 back him. Do u think Cragnotti has ever done something that he knew was not in Lazio's best interests - no never

Cragnotti is the best fan u have ever had - he has given a massive amount of his time and money 2 the club he should be loved and adored - instead some of the leaders of Lazio's fans (the guy from TV) are racist and disloyal - they boo their own team and physically attack fans who support their team or players who they don't think have delivered. A ridiculous situation 4 any club. U should luv Cragnotti he has done everything 4 Lazio!

Violence solves nothing

[Always Laziali]

If Cragnotti sells Nesta,do you think it is for the good of the club?

[JD]

if the HUGE amount of money you would get for him was invested well it could possibly b a good thing. Maybe Lazio simply cannot afford not 2 sell him because of financial reasons- debt etc

[Always Laziali]

They are not in debt.They just want to buy players like Rivaldo......etc.

[JD]

if it isn't a financial necessity and the player wans2 stay I think it would b a mistake 2 sell Nesta but it is a worse mistake 2 threaten cragnotti Lazio's saviour!

[Always Laziali]

Don't ask me!Ask the Curva Nord and company.....they are the more powerful fans.

[JD]

Originally posted by HernanCrespo
Cragnotti won't be so stupid as to risk his life by selling them!
then Juan Botello wrote "this guys obviously does not know much about Lazio"

it sounds 2me like u r proud of fans threatening Cragnotti. Its all very well the fans trying to influence the purchase and sale of a clubs players but threatening the players/manager or chairmen u already have is always goin2 b counter productive.

La Viola rioted when Baggio wen2 Juve but he still went - all that resulted from the demonstrations in Firenze was damage to a beautiful city

[Always Laziali]

If I were him,i would follow the fans' wishes.Keep Crespo and Nesta and just sign a couple of players who are needed like Sorin,Oddo,Muzzi and a playmaker.It wouldn't even cost over £25m.We can easily sell Favalli,Pancaro,Liverani,Simeone,Lopez and Mendieta.