Rhydian Howell-Morris
Since favourites Argentina exited World Cup 2006 early, after being in command against Germany, and then were humiliated in the Copa América 2007 by Brazil in a 3-0 final defeat, the Olympics team gold win brought much needed cheer to a nation with arguably the best pool of talent in the world. So why do Messi et. al need a boost, isn’t Argentina already making amends for the 2006 and 2007 senior team failures by steam rolling into World Cup 2010 as on top of their victory at the Olympics?
Argentina started World Cup 2010 qualification well with Riquelme goals inspiring victories against Chile and Bolivia in 2007, and winning the first three games. The year of doom since World Cup 2006 was beginning to subside with the youth team also winning the 2007 World Cup U20 tournament in Canada. However, the senior team tasted defeat to Colombia in the fourth round of qualifiers and since have no win in five qualifiers, slipping to third in the South American qualifying section after eight rounds.
If this doesn’t stop soon, there is the looming threat of falling as low as sixth place behind Chile, currently level on points with Argentina, and Uruguay just one point behind. That Argentina sits third and not just second behind Brazil can be partly credited to a so far astonishing Paraguay team, who lead the qualification by four points over Brazil and Argentina; however, from this Argentina team, much more is demanded.
Confidence is low at the moment and, although the first half sending off of Carlos Tévez on two occasions, leaving Argentina with 10 men in a 2-1 away defeat to Colombia and then a home 1-1 draw to Paraguay didn’t help very much, there are deeper issues within the team such as: replacing the leadership and quality at the back of the retired captain Roberto Ayala, a lack of width in the team particularly with defensive full-backs compared to the days of Juan Pablo Sorín and Javier Zanetti, and finding a solution to playing Tévez, Messi, Argüero and Riquelme.
The last presents a much debated problem in that Riquelme when on form can string together the attack, but only in his specific role as Enganche, or playmaker; requiring the team to employ a particular system from the midfield forward for it to succeed, with the attack then largely depending on the performance of that playmaker.
There is no shortage of opinions on the situation of the national team. Diego Maradona, always vocal, has been particularly prolific recently in his comments, advocating the use of the big four in the attacking quartet, insisting “we cannot afford to leave out Tevez and Argüero”, “I’m sure Riquelme is going to play against Uruguay [Argentina’s next opponents in qualifying], come what may.”, on Messi stating “I can advise him to get rid of the ball quicker, make passes for a goal” and regarding the four as a whole “to have the best players is where we have the advantage”.
Many people want coach Alfio Basile “Coco” out of the job, from the thrashing by a largely under strength Brazil team in Copa America 2007 to labelling him primarily responsible for the worrying state of qualifying and issues along the way. There are criticisms of his tactics and selections, specifically a failure to find a winning formula in the attacking options and his continued faith in Riquelme in the playmaker system, all too often sticking with a 4-2-1-3, despite a renewed rise in criticism of Riquelme’s current powers.
Coco is criticised for not having tried enough to have an established target man option, with too many ball playing, diminutive attackers given preference and little chance given to Bordeaux’s Fernando Cavenaghi’s: the name being put forward most frequently to change the attacking system (barring recent calls for Crespo who has expressed his desire to return).
Several of the players have backed Coco publically, with Javier Mascherano saying “It’s easier to throw the blame at one, rather than 20, but we’re calm. We have mutual support just as much between us and the coaching staff.”, Messi giving his support, pleading “We have to stand by Coco in the stadium. I would love us to get the results so that he stays”, continuing “Coco gives us a lot of freedom and calmness, we all feel very comfortable working and playing in his teams. That’s why we want the best for him.” as well as Fabricio Coloccini revealing “The truth is that the criticisms are painful for the coaching staff. I think not only do we owe a debt to the people, but also to the manager who always gives us confidence. There isn’t just one person guilty here.
Whilst Argentina head into the second half of the qualifying campaign, the pressure is rising as the team’s performances fail to meet expectations. Qualification is a must; but with it growing more threatened, the nation demands changes from the wealth of options available on the field and it won’t be long before a dramatic change is taken should those expectations continue to go unmatched.
