Vamos, vamos Argentina
With the football (for soccer for Americans and Australians) fever escalating to a 4 year high, the performance put up by Le Seleccion last night did not dissapoint any. The passing football, slick footwork and constant movement on show was soccer marijuana to me. This, to me, is what football is about. It is about technique, it is about grace and vision in passing, and most of all, it is about teamwork.
Le Seleccion plays football as a team, more than any other team. Players are constantly running off the ball presenting themselves to teamates as outlets to pass to. Players are constantly passing the ball, not trying to take on whole defences (ala Ronaldinho, and failing). And we haven't got to the final balls played; the through balls or crosses that i suspect were laser guided to the striker. On the occasions when a 1 man show took over, Tevez showed why he is the next big thing for Argentina (and maybe for Chelsea?).
This is football at its purest, purer than the showboating team in gold and green. In the movie goal, when Santiago Munez refused to pass the ball and kept up with his dribbling, the coach pulled him aside and show him that no man can run faster than a passed ball. This current Argentina side has demonstrated that they understand this principle very well, and their passing moves opposition players around and takes them out of play, opening gaps in defences. The players are aided in their passing game by their skills, as seen by the backheel assist by Crespo in the 2nd goal and the numerous flicks by Crespo, Riquelme and Sorin.
Which brings me to the trio of Sorin, Saviola and Riquelme. FC Barcelona rejects. Barcelona has been finding a striker of late and bought Gudjohnsen, but i cannot see why Rijkaard has ignore the goal scoring attributes of El Conejo. Saviola has pace, technique and good finishing, combined with determination as seen in the lead up to the 3rd goal, and great off the ball running as positioning as seen in the 2nd goal against Cote d'Ivoire, when he managed to stay onside and then latch on to the through pass.
Imagine Riquelme in Barcelona's midfield now. What a dream midfield it would be (except that it is missing Lampard, Ballack, Makalele, Joe Cole and Robben). Ronaldinho, Deco, Riquelme, Xavi, Giuly. With Messi and Iniesta ready substitutes. How did they let this gem of a player go?
They also let the inspiration and running of Juan Pablo Sorin go, who would fit in seemlessly at left back instead of van Bronkhorst. He would be able to support Puyol in defence as well as support the midfield in attack.
It is my dream to pass like Riquelme, and i will try to emulate Le Seleccion's style of play and the effectiveness of their passing.
TIP OF THE DAY: Argentina to win the World Cup!
Argentina are truly able to win this world cup. However, no team is perfect, and what can be said about this Argentinian team is that they do look gread with the ball and when attacking, but not so good defending and without the ball. The defence is not the best, with Ayala's lack of pace betraying his age, Heinze has just returned from injury and Sorin and Burdisso are not exactly great tacklers. And a heavy responsibility falls on Mascherano to sweep up the attacks in the midfield, as Riquelme, for all his attacking genius, is not going to help out much in that department.
If the defence is able to learn how to weather a storm, and protect fragile 1-0 leads, then they would be able to go all the way. If they don't, then results will hinge on the competency of their opponents to take advantage of this weakness.
Le Seleccion plays football as a team, more than any other team. Players are constantly running off the ball presenting themselves to teamates as outlets to pass to. Players are constantly passing the ball, not trying to take on whole defences (ala Ronaldinho, and failing). And we haven't got to the final balls played; the through balls or crosses that i suspect were laser guided to the striker. On the occasions when a 1 man show took over, Tevez showed why he is the next big thing for Argentina (and maybe for Chelsea?).
This is football at its purest, purer than the showboating team in gold and green. In the movie goal, when Santiago Munez refused to pass the ball and kept up with his dribbling, the coach pulled him aside and show him that no man can run faster than a passed ball. This current Argentina side has demonstrated that they understand this principle very well, and their passing moves opposition players around and takes them out of play, opening gaps in defences. The players are aided in their passing game by their skills, as seen by the backheel assist by Crespo in the 2nd goal and the numerous flicks by Crespo, Riquelme and Sorin.
Which brings me to the trio of Sorin, Saviola and Riquelme. FC Barcelona rejects. Barcelona has been finding a striker of late and bought Gudjohnsen, but i cannot see why Rijkaard has ignore the goal scoring attributes of El Conejo. Saviola has pace, technique and good finishing, combined with determination as seen in the lead up to the 3rd goal, and great off the ball running as positioning as seen in the 2nd goal against Cote d'Ivoire, when he managed to stay onside and then latch on to the through pass.
Imagine Riquelme in Barcelona's midfield now. What a dream midfield it would be (except that it is missing Lampard, Ballack, Makalele, Joe Cole and Robben). Ronaldinho, Deco, Riquelme, Xavi, Giuly. With Messi and Iniesta ready substitutes. How did they let this gem of a player go?
They also let the inspiration and running of Juan Pablo Sorin go, who would fit in seemlessly at left back instead of van Bronkhorst. He would be able to support Puyol in defence as well as support the midfield in attack.
It is my dream to pass like Riquelme, and i will try to emulate Le Seleccion's style of play and the effectiveness of their passing.
TIP OF THE DAY: Argentina to win the World Cup!
Argentina are truly able to win this world cup. However, no team is perfect, and what can be said about this Argentinian team is that they do look gread with the ball and when attacking, but not so good defending and without the ball. The defence is not the best, with Ayala's lack of pace betraying his age, Heinze has just returned from injury and Sorin and Burdisso are not exactly great tacklers. And a heavy responsibility falls on Mascherano to sweep up the attacks in the midfield, as Riquelme, for all his attacking genius, is not going to help out much in that department.
If the defence is able to learn how to weather a storm, and protect fragile 1-0 leads, then they would be able to go all the way. If they don't, then results will hinge on the competency of their opponents to take advantage of this weakness.
posted by daniel at 11:19
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