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USA vs Argentina Preview
Sergio Batista looks forward to celebrate his sixth victory with the Albiceleste at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
Argentina prepares for two important friendly matches prior to hosting the Copa America next July. Batista's Albiceleste visits New Jersey this Saturday to take on USA before visiting San Jose in Costa Rica next week.Martin Demichelis, Gabriel Heinze, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero are among the most startling absentees in the Gaucho squad.
"They're important players, I know. Carlos (Tevez) is going through an excellent moment in Manchester.. But I want to give an opportunity to different players" said Argentina's coach.
Valencia's Ever Banega will be joining Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Mascherano in the midfield. Batista will be playing his seventh game as Argentina's coach, falling only against Japan back in October, and defeating major rivals like Brazil, Spain and Portugal.
USA vs Argentina: Lionel Messi In, Zak Whitbread Out – International Friendly
Excitement is increasing ahead of the USA vs Argentina friendly match with the return of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi; but the Americans have sadly lost Whitbread, their promising defender.
The Norwich City player obtained his wound over the weekend, during his side’s 1-1 draw away to Hull City in the English Championship. Whitbread got his name on the scoring sheet for the first time for his club in that particular encounter, but an unfortunate injury sustained now rules him out of USA’s friendlies against Argentina and Paraguay on March 26 and March 29, respectively.He was nonetheless expected to make his very first appearance for his country at senior level; yet, reports suggest that he will only be fit for Norwich’s next game against Scunthorpe United on April 2. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Lionel Messi appears to have made a shockingly rapid recovery, which eventually enables him to lead the Albicelestes against the North Americans in East Rutherford, N.J.
Carlos Tevez Misses Out On Argentina Squad Once Again
Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez has not been included in Argentina's squad ahead of friendly games against the USA and Costa Rica.
Carlos Tevez was not called up for the friendly against Portugal last month that lead to speculations of him falling out with the Argentinean FA. However, Tevez was expected to be included this time around- with the City captain being in fine form for his club. Despite that, he has been omitted from the squad once again.Argentina's coach Sergio Batista refused to blame Tevez for any wrong-doings by insisting that he merely wants to test the depth of the squad available to him.
But sources close to the Argentinean FA have revealed that Tevez has actually been dropped as a punishment after he pulled out of a match against Brazil claiming that he was injured- but played for Manchester City a few days later.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi War = Argentina vs Portugal Friendly
The Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi battle continues. Are you ready for it? Enjoy tonight's Argentina vs Portugal friendly match, but check stats and quotes related to the Ronaldo vs Messi duel before!
Football fans who are bored with the Ronaldo vs Messi duel insist that there is more to Wednesday night’s titanic clash than just a confrontation between two non-World Cup winners. But the voice of those who refuse to side with this opinion has proven to be the loudest.
Now Real Madrid's Jorge Valdano, Portugal's Danny and Argentina Coach Sergio Batista have echoed the thoughts of the majority of the public. Let’s have a look at Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s goal statistics, first of all:
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi In La Liga
Cristiano Ronaldo has made 22 appearances, scored 24 goals and made 6 assists this season for Real Madrid. Since joining Los Blancos, Cristiano Ronaldo has netted 50 goals in 51 La Liga appearances. The last of these goals came against Real Sociedad last week.
Argentina vs Portugal Preview
There's much more than Lio Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo as Argentina lock horns with Portugal. Both squads celebrated sound victories against World Champion Spain after South Africa.
Argentina and Portugal are eager to demonstrate that many things have changed since South Africa. Having already defeated Spain and Brazil in the last two friendly games, Albiceleste's coach Sergio Batista looks forward to defeat another European powerhouse at the Stade de Geneve. Paulo Bento injected Portugal's National Football Team with a renewed spirit. Under his command Os Navegadores have only known success, defeating Iceland and Denmark for the Euro 2012 Qualifiers and reigning World Champion Spain "We want to win and play well. It is an important game to prepare the key qualifier against Norway in June" said Bento regarding this clash.
Previa de Argentina vs Portugal - Amistoso
Mucho más que una rivalidad entre Lio Messi y Cristiano Ronaldo tendrá lugar cuando Argentina y Portugal se enfrenten uno contra otro. Ambos han destrozado al campeón mundial España en amistosos luego de Sudáfrica
Argentina y Portugal buscan demostrar que su situación futbolística ha cambiado desde Sudáfrica. Triunfos consecutivos frente a España y Brasil dan al técnico albiceleste la confianza necesaria para destrozar otro gigante europeo en el Stade de Geneve.La llegada de Paulo Bento ha dado renovadas energías al equipo portugués. Bajo su directiva, Os Navegadores no han conocido más que el éxito, derrotando a Islandia y Dinamarca por la clasificación a la Eurocopa 2012, así como también al actual campeón del mundo, España. "Queremos ganar jugando bien. Es un partido muy importante para prepararnos para un enfrentamiento decisivo por la clasificación contra Noruega en Junio" dijo Bento.
"Se trata sólo de Argentina y Portugal, los duelos individuales existen sólo para el placer de los fanáticos" agregó el técnico luso. Lio Messi y Cristiano Ronaldo se persiguen uno al otro para convertirse en el único goleador de la Liga Española. El portugués ocupa el primer lugar, con 25 goles en 22 partidos, uno más que la estrella argentina.
Un partido excitante en que se enfrentarán los dos mejores jugadores del mundo, ¿Quién triunfará?
Spain vs Colombia: Just Wait And See – Spain Coach Del Bosque
Manager Vicente Del Bosque has refused to accept that the Spanish national team was under crisis due to their defeats to Argentina and Portugal. Against Colombia, he is confident La Roja will rule.
Since their 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign which ended with the golden trophy, Spain have not stayed consistent. Their UEFA Euro 2012 qualification is rolling on a good note; but their friendlies have not presented the best of results, with 4-1 and 4-0 losses to Argentina and Portugal respectively.Despite these recent setbacks which disappointed the public, Del Bosque is assured that Spain will bounce back against Colombia in Madrid, and find back their inexorable winning ways. He asserted:
“We played three friendly matches and did not win... And the other teams have played well, but I do not think it marks any kind of trend. We are alert now, to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.
Argentina vs Portugal: Batista Picks 4-3-3 Formation To Play Portugal
Argentina’s squad for the Portugal friendly match is not the strongest. Sergio Batista’s men will play a 4-3-3 formation with Lionel Messi playing as a number 9 to break down Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
It’s a sort of new look squad that will face Paulo Bento’s energized Selecção. With a host of key players missing for the Albicelestes, Spartak Moscow’s 20-year-old Rojo has been given the go ahead to make his international debut for Argentina. Rojo will play as a left-back whereas Gabriel Milito and Nicolas Burdisso have been ordered to play in midfield. But without Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain, Argentina Coach Sergio Batista has opted to put Lionel Messi upfront with Angel di Maria meant to assist the Barcelona play maker on the left wing. Lavezzi, however, will play at the right flank.
Cristiano Ronaldo And Messi In Top Form For Argentina vs Portugal Friendly
The Argentina vs Portugal friendly match on Wednesday should provide football fans with fireworks as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are in top form ahead of it. Both players scored last weekend...
The individual contest between Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi is very close in La Liga in terms of statistics. La Pulga went ahead in the top scorers chart with 24 goals following his hat-trick against Atletico Madrid last Saturday. There is certainly no doubt that Lionel Messi is in top form with a record of 40 goals in 33 matches in all competitions this season. Meanwhile, CR7 also grabbed the headlines on Sunday with a brace for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad; this saw the Portugal captain hit 50 goals in 51 La Liga appearances for Los Blancos. He also joined Messi back at the top of the top scorers chart with 24 goals as well. With those 2 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo also broke Puskas’ achievement of reaching 50 goals in only 54 appearances.
Argentina vs Portugal: Messi Missing From Argentina’s Training
Lionel Messi is the latest player to get listed on Argentina’s injury list ahead of the Portugal friendly. The Albicelestes are now hoping that Messi returns to fitness quickly.
Coach Sergio Batista and his Argentina squad are currently in Switzerland training, but they are doing so without the world’s best player Lionel Messi. Reports from Spanish media Marca claim that La Pulga sustained a muscle strain. The attacker then had to spend his time in the team’s hotel under the care of Argentina’s physio, Ruben Araguas. But the Albicelestes have downplayed the intensity of this injury report as Araguas explained while talking to Marca:
“Leo has been doing a lot of work prior to this, so he stayed in the hotel through caution.”
Argentina vs Portugal: Paulo Bento Explains His Portugal Squad Choices
Quaresma and Ventura have been called up by Coach Paulo Bento for the Argentina vs Portugal friendly. Meanwhile, striker Liedson didn’t make the cut at the public’s surprise, so Bento explained his choices.
Ex-Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari was known not to be keen to talk about non-selected players. However, Paulo Bento has a totally different approach when it comes to that and this is why he had no problem clarifying his picks through the media.“I didn’t select Liedson but this is because we’ve gone for two strikers – Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga,” Portugal’s Paulo Bento told reporters.
“Considering their performances, what we want is to keep a stable squad and endow the team with an identity. Liedson is not on the list through option, just like he wasn’t against Spain.”
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010: Xavi, Messi, Iniesta – Who Will Be Award-Winner?
The FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010 award winner is about to be revealed. Many have already made their predictions; but among Xavi, Lionel Messi, and Andres Iniesta - who deserves the honor?
In this article, we look at each Ballon d’Or 2010 contender from the final shortlist. As we jump directly into the subject, we start with midfielder Xavi Hernandez.
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010 Award Contender: Xavi Hernandez
Expert in: through balls, short passes, long balls, and organization on the field.
Country and Club: Spain and FC Barcelona
Contribution in 2010 World Cup: 1 assist in 7 starts
In the 2009/10 season: Xavi got 3 goals and made 14 assists in 34 La Liga games, while he netted a single goal and produced 3 assists in the UEFA Champions League. In the Copa del Rey, he started twice and appeared once as a substitute; he clinched 2 goals without any assist in that competition.
Argentina Primera Division Report: Week 19 (Dec 11-13)
Estudiantes is crowned Apertura's champion thanks to Hernan Rodrigo Lopez's double.
Alejandro Sabella's Pinchas celebrated another as they tamed Arsenal in La Plata from the very first minute. Velez Sarsfield needed Gustavo Alfaro's Viaducto to stop Estudiantes from winning to have a shot for the first position, but it was an unreachable goal.
All Boys survived Godoy Cruz's visit after Omar Asad's Tombas opened a two-goal in Floresta, but in the last minute of the game the hosts found the leveller with a penalty shot.
Libertadores' champion in 2009, Apertura's champion this year, Estudiantes adds a new title to their showcase after a perfect season, with 45 points in 19 games.
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Argentina Primera Division Preview: Week 19 (Dec 11-13)
The four fittest teams of the season take on each other in the final match day.
At the beginning it was River Plate the main candidate to occupy the top position of the tournament. Weeks later Arsenal and San Lorenzo made it to the first position but finally Estudiantes has been the undisputed leader throughout the whole second half of the tournament.Velez Sarsfield has done an excellent job keeping up with Estudiantes' pace and only three weeks ago they joined Alejandro Sabella's Pinchas at the top, before losing it only days later.
Independiente was crowned Sudamericana champion last Wednesday and this leaves Lanus, Racing and Newell's without chances to obtain qualification for next year's Copa Libertadores.
The last round is likely to bring along a wide variety of surprises. Who'll become Apertura's champion by Monday?
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Argentina Primera Division Report: Week 18 (Dec 7-8)
Estudiantes is only 90 minutes away from lifting this year's Apertura title.
Not much has changed this week in the Argentinean league. Apertura's leader Estudiantes celebrated a sound 4-0 victory at the Monumental against 10-men River Plate.Gimnasia defeated All Boys at the Forest and claimed three decisive points for the relegation fight, leaving Huracan at the bottom position of the tournament. Velez Sarsfield claimed the full scoring in Liniers against basement boys Huracan,who couldn't take advantage of River's defeat to shorten the gap from the safe zone.
Arsenal secured the third position upon a flawless victory over Colon in Sarandi. The top four squads will be taking on each other in the next match day, as Velez visits Racing while Estudiantes receives home Arsenal. Who'll claim the title?
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Argentina Primera Division Preview: Week 18 (Dec 7-9)
Apertura leader Estudiantes visits the Monumental to secure the Apertura title.
There are only six points in play and Estudiantes has been able to maintain a two-point advantage over runners-up Velez Sarsfield, who humiliated Godoy Cruz in Mendoza last week.Pincha's striker Gaston Fernandez has played a major role in the last few games, scoring six goals in the last 9 weeks. Estudiantes will have to do without Juan Sebastian Veron and Enzo Perez.
Independiente's game will be rescheduled for the near future as Antonio Mohammed's Diablos will be locking horns with Goias for the second-leg match of the Sudamericana final.
Velez hosts Huracan in Liniers. The visitors are highly compromised with the relegation fight and a victory is mandatory to lift their spirit and obtain every possible point in the last two games.
If Velez fails to secure the three points, Estudiantes can become the new champion. Will they succeed?
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Argentina Primera Division Report: Week 17 (Dec 1-5)
Arsenal makes a false move and in Bahia Blanca. The first position has now become unreachable.
Apertura's 17th round started earlier than expected with a far from exciting draw 1-1 between Olimpo and Arsenal in Bahia Blanca. Matias Alustiza and Nestor Bareira exchanged goals in the first 30 minutes to seal a worthless draw for both squads.Standing in the 18th position, Independiente visits Lanus on Sunday after suffering a sound defeat 2-0 in Brazil against Goias for the Sudamericana final. Antonio Mohammed is likely to repeat an alternate squad to give his players the needed rest for next week's challenging second leg Sudamericana fight.
Racing, Newell's and Lanus are fighting for the last Libertadores place, but Independiente might claim the fifth ticket if they lift this year's Sudamericana.
With nine points in play, everything is possible. Estudiantes depends only on itself to claim the Apertura.
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Argentina Primera Division Preview: Week 17 (Dec 1-5)
Velez looks forward to Estudiantes to make a false move in the fight for the top.
With only three games yet to be played, the end can bring forth innumerable surprises to the Argentinean league. Estudiantes occupies the top position with 36 points, while Velez keeps its hopes alive standing two points below after 16 games.J J Lopez's River Plate made a major step forward in the last week as they finally managed to leapfrog Huracan in the fight for the category. Pablo Morant's Lobos have not been so lucky and will have to improve a lot if they don't want to start 2011's Clausura so compromised with the relegation.
Reigning Clausura champion Argentinos visits La Plata eager to celebrate it's seventh consecutive victory undefeated and obtain three points that might take them to the 5th position on the table standings.
Miguel Angel Russo's Racing look forward to qualify for next year's Libertadores as they host Pablo Morant's desperate Lobos. River visits Colon's Elephant Cemetery while Boca hosts Quilmes in La Bombonera.
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Argentina Primera Division Report: Week 16 (Nov 26-30)
Godoy Cruz abused Pablo Moran's Lobos at the Forest and have almost secured their presence in next year's Libertadores.
Is there anything Gimnasia can do to avoid the relegation fight in the next Clausura?. Having obtained only six points in the last nine matches, Pablo Morant's Lobos are left with a mountain to climb if they're truly determined to retain the category.Gustavo Alfaro's Viaducto made things extremely difficult for San Lorenzo in the last 45 minutes, scoring the equalizer close to the hour mark before Claudio Mosca score the winning goal on injury time.
Another defeat for Ramon Diaz's Cuervos who are left with nothing to fight for in the next three matches.
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Argentina Primera Division Preview: Week 16 (Nov 26-30)
Leader Estudiantes receives Independiente on Sunday to secure the top while runner-up Velez hosts Tigre late on Tuesday.
The final countdown has already started and now Velez failed to keep up with Estudiantes pace, Alejandro Sabella's Lions depend only on themselves to lift this year's title. It'd be the perfect retirement for Juan Sebastian Veron, who's already warned this might be his last year as a professional footballer.Boca Juniors celebrated an important victory over Arsenal in La Bombonera and it seems Roberto Pompei will once again save Boca ship from sinking. Sergio Araujo's excellent performance against el Viaducto has granted the young winger an opportunity in the starting squad.
River receives Omar De Felippe's Aurinegros in a decisive clash for the bottom fight, while Pablo Morant's Lobos take on Omar Asad's Tombas.
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