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Argentina part company with 2011 Copa America loser Sergio Batista—report
It’s official. Sergio Batista is no longer the coach of Argentina’s Albiceleste.
Sergio Batista was meant to do what Diego Maradona couldn’t do at the 2010 FIFA World Cup—which was to end Argentina’s major title drought in all competitions since 1993. But the 2011 Copa America turned out to be sour for the Albiceleste who recorded only one victory before crashing out of the tournament in the quarter-finals following a penalty shootout loss to eventual champions Uruguay. Throughout the competition, Sergio Batista was branded as “stubborn” for using tactics which the majority of Argentine fans and pundits didn’t like. The criticized man, however, insisted on maintaining his position as the head coach of Argentina’s national football team after the country’s fiasco on home soil.
Must “Stubborn” coach Sergio Batista get sacked as Argentina’s coach?
How many people want to see Sergio Batista at the head of Argentina’s coaching staff come the year 2014 when the World Cup will be held by fierce South American rivals Brazil?
Batista’s predecessor Diego Maradona didn’t last that long as the Albiceleste’s boss. A dramatic qualification to South Africa 2010 had saved Maradona but Germany’s 4-0 trouncing of the Argentines in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup put an end to the career of the legend in Argentina. Like Diego Maradona, Sergio Batista is now wanted out by a big portion of angry supporters and football analysts. Batista is being accused of having misused the many advantages of Argentina during the 2011 Copa America.
Argentina relish Costa Rica victory as Peru, Chile or Uruguay could come next
Argentina reached the quarter-finals of the 2011 Copa America as Group A’s runners-up with 5 points. The Albiceleste could meet Peru, Chile or Uruguay next up.
After 180 minutes of poor football, Argentina finally woke up to the cries of their angry and anxious supporters. They demolished Costa Rica 3-0 in their last group stage match to seal their passage into the quarter-finals of the 2011 Copa America. Lionel Messi starred with a fine performance despite not scoring. Aguero clinched a brace whereas Di Maria also got his name on the scoring sheet. This left Sergio Batista proud of his team and of Messi in particular as he told the press in a post-match interview:
“He played a fantastic game. We talked a lot about the emotional and individual state of the team before the match. We needed to regain our confidence. Lionel knows how to overcome these situations.
Match-Day 3: Judgement Day For Messi & Batista As Argentina Face Costa Rica
Tonight, the press and the fans in Argentina will be either thrilled or angered as playmaker Lionel Messi and coach Batista have a do-or-die mission against Costa Rica to reach the Copa America’s quarter-finals.
“The team is eager to reverse the situation. We talked a lot and we are fine.“We are prepared to win, but these crucial things happen. We knew the Copa America wouldn't be easy. The teams have developed considerably, but the reality is that it was unthinkable that Argentina and Brazil would under perform.”
The Albiceleste have actually scored only 1 goal in 180 minutes of Copa America football. They are yet to bag a victory in Group A and they are now left with the sole option of beating Costa Rica or crash out of the competition on home soil.
2011 Copa America: Who Is To Be Held Responsible For Argentina, Brazil And Uruguay's Disappointing Opening Game?
Is there a logic behind Argentina Football Federation's president Julio Grondona's belief that "Messi never plays badly"? Never underestimate the power of denial.
Shouldn't Argentina's coach introduce a few modifications in his scheme to face Group A leader Colombia on Wednesday night? What about Mano Menezes, and Oscar Tabarez?It's true we're set to witness a much more aggressive football this week, as Argentina cannot waste a golden opportunity to claim the top position of the group, while Colombia knows a victory (or even a draw, depending on the result of Costa Rica vs Bolivia) could seal Los Cafeteros' qualification for the knockouts.
The same applies for Group B, as Brazil locks horns with Paraguay this Saturday. Unlike Venezuela, Paraguayan coach Gerardo Martino confessed the Guarani squad "will be aggressive, determined to attack and play the ball whenever possible". He might need the combined strength of Nelson Haedo Valdez, Lucas Barrios and Roque Santa Cruz to break the Brazilian defense.
Batista Insists Argentina’s Tactics Won’t Change. Is The Coach Right Or Wrong?
Sergio Batista is not ready to listen to calls from critics ahead of the Colombia match despite the fact that Argentina didn't impress on match-day 1.
Sergio Batista is in danger of mounting Argentina’s entire wall of supporters against him. Likewise, the Albiceleste boss could transform into a hero as the country is aiming to end its 18-year major title drought. The majority of football fans and pundits were apparently not impressed by Argentina’s display against Bolivia on Friday night. Batista’s plan to build the team around Messi didn’t quite work as the hosts were in serious danger of suffering a giant killing by the FIFA Ranking’s 93rd team Bolivia.
2011 Copa America: Sergio Batista Ends 6-month Conflict With Carlos Tevez
El Apache has been included ahead of the Copa America's kick off. "He earned his place all by himself" said Argentina's coach.
Carlos Tevez was one of the leaders in Maradona's Argentina squad in South Africa, but a problem emerged as the Apache missed a friendly match with Brazil back in November in Qatar. An alleged injury gave birth to a dispute that could have left Tevez out of the 2011 Copa America. However, the former Boca Juniors striker asked for a personal meeting last month with coach Sergio Batista, showing his determination to lead Argentina towards victory in July.Batista's starting XI favored Angel Di Maria in Argentina's last friendly against Albania, but substitute Carlos Tevez proved his worth in the second half by scoring a delightful goal. Following the actions of Alfio Basile, Diego Maradona, Carlos Pekerman and Marcelo Bielsa, Batista was also eventually forced to admit that Tevez deserved a place in the starting eleven.
2011 Copa America: Argentina National Team Profile And History
Hosts Argentina have the greatest history in the Copa America. In this article, we go back in time as we look at their record, and briefly observe their current squad.
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Football comes as the most popular sport in Argentina, making it a priority for the major part of citizens in the country when it comes to enumerating their most important source of fun. Argentinian players have also earned a good reputation in general over the years, with many of them currently being registered in some of the world’s most respected leagues.
While club football is regarded as an extremely serious business in the country, especially when the time of the Superclásico approaches, their national team hasn’t failed to get some attention. As a side with a valued history, La Albiceleste often enter tournaments as favourites – although recent years haven’t seen them triumph much in top competitions.
Costa Rica vs Argentina: More Than A Friendly Match
Tensions have already risen ahead of the Costa Rica vs Argentina friendly match at the New National Stadium, with coaches of both countries not being linked with the best of relationships.
Costa Rica coach Ricardo La Volpe reportedly felt insulted by Argentina’s Sergio Batista back in 2006, during his times at Boca Juniors. The former goalkeeper—who managed the Mexico national football team during the 2006 World Cup also received a contract with Velez Sarsfield later on, but unsuccessful runs with Los Xeneizes and El Fortin left Batista to question Ricardo’s ability to deal with Argentinean football.The current boss of Los Albicelestes’ statement years ago certainly did not please La Volpe, who recently told TyC Sports—and Argentinean TV station: "In the past, he (Batista) said that I had to get used to Argentinean football.
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.
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.