Argentina's Strongest Eleven

After giving an opportunity to a 90% of the players brought to South Africa (Except for Ariel Garce and the substitute goalkeepers), we might analyze Argentina's performance, strengths and weaknesses, considering every single match will have to be faced now like a final. Maradona's classic 4-4-2 squad will be used for reference in this analysis.

 

 "We have a goalkeeper for the next 20 years". With these words Maradona recognized AZ Alkmaar's goalkeeper was a pillar of Argentina's defense. They say there has never been a world champion that did not have a strong goalkeeper, and with Romero Argentina finds another omen in their favor to claim the title. Aged 23, Chiquito Romero is the tallest player in Argentina (almost six and a half feet high) and has already tasted the honeys of success when he won the gold medal in 2008's Olympic games.

 

Il Muro is one of the key players in Argentina's back line, though he has been unable to perform in the last two matches having suffered a muscular fatigue from which he has not yet fully recovered. Internazionale's central defender offers much needed security in the back line, specially now that Martin Demichellis is not performing at his highest. 

 

Samuel wore Argentina's National Football colors 53 times, scoring 4 goals. Against Nigeria and Korea he could show his skills to the worlds. He should be ready to face Germany, when Argentina will need him the most.  

 Rome's defender was given an opportunity in the squad after Samuel's injury one week ago, and his performance has been excellent, managing even to assist Higuain in Argentina's second goal against Korea. Burdisso takes over Demichellis in our selection for his performance has been regular, even though he might be lacking the aerial skills of Bayern Munich's defender. 

 

Will Maradona choose to join Samuel in the backbone of Argentina's defense? Aged 29, he's another gold medal winner, and the next might be his third match in a World Championship 

Heinze is another cornerstone of Maradona's strategy, a player with a wide international experience that is determined to claim this title to reach the peak of his career before retiring from professional football. Heinze scored the winning goal against Nigeria with a header that will be forever tattooed in every Argentinean memory, and was a decisive player in most of Argentina's left wing advances. 

 

El Gringo is currently playing for Marseille Olympique and will have to take care against Germany for he has already been cautioned once and might lose a decisive clash if Argentina makes it against Germany. 

Argentina started the World Cup playing with Jonas Gutierrez as a winger, but Newcastle's midfielder was unable to carefully guard Argentina's goal, so Maradona decided to give Otamendi a chance and from that moment on Velez's defender has earned his place in the starting squad. He might be lacking the speed and offensive prowess of other wingers, but he makes up with an enormous capacity to recover the ball.

 

South Africa might bring some international attention over Otamendi, who might have played its last season for Velez Sarsfield. 

Argentina's captain plays a key role in Maradona's strategy, as his versatility in the midfield allows Maradona to take advantage of the many offensive players he has in his squad. Masche is one of the players with most experience in the Albiceleste, having already faced Germany in 2006's quarter finals. His association with Messi, Tevez and Higuain to start Argentina's advance has been working perfectly in South Africa.

 

Liverpool might have to release Masche, for their poor performance in the Premier League is a sword hanging over their heads. Manchester City and Internazionale have already shown their interest in Argentina's captain. 

The last Merengue acquisition, El Flaco has not yet been able to shown his skills at their best in South Africa, for most of Argentina's advance came from the other side of the field, with the interaction between Messi, Tevez and Higuain. Nevertheless he's been a solid player with a wide perspective and excellent skills in one-on-one situations.

 

If Maradona called for another player to replace Di Maria in this competition it was only once the game was already won. His left-foot skills makes him Messi's ideal partner. 

The captain of the current American champion, Juan Sebastian Veron was the captain in the Argentinean squad that was sent back home in the first round back in 2002. Now, with eight additional years of experience, la Bruja knows this will probably be his last World Cup competition, forcing him to give 110% of himself match after match.

 

He might not be as fast as the rest of the Gauchos, but his ability as a playmaker allows him to make the best out of the rest of the players. Aged 36, Maxi Rodriguez has not been able to replace him in South Africa. Keep in close watch Javier Pastore, a natural replacement for Veron and with a shinning future waiting ahead. 

Maradona describes Tevez as the "Player of the people", as the Apache has won the love of the crowds in every city in which he has played. Having just joined Manchester City, Tevez was close to lead the team to the Champions League and has been a decisive player for team's coach Mancini.

 

Against Mexico Tevez could score his first two goals in South Africa (The second one was a piece of exquisite workmanship), even though his role in the team is more of an assister than a scorer. Few players are more stubborn and determined to recover the goal than Tevez.

 

Lionel Messi is the engine in Maradona's scheme; Even though he's constantly under an asphyxiating mark, La Pulga manages to find an open space and lead an advance no matter how adverse the situation might be. Sometimes Argentina has problems for their subordination to Blaugrana's star creativity, but it's understandable considering the uncanny energy he can unleash.

 

Yet unable to score a single goal in South Africa, Messi is the player that has shot the most against a rival's goal in the tournament. Very few players have played 360 minutes in South Africa up to now, and Messi is one of them. It is evident why.  

Pipita Higuain is going through the best moment of his career, for after claiming a place in Real Madrid's starting eleven he was the second top striker of La Liga (five goals below Messi's historic mark) and is current the player that scored most goals in South Africa, with 4 goals. Higuain is a perfectly balanced all-around striker with a deadly efficiency. Against Korea it was clearly shown his skills to be always in the right place at the right time.

 

After some problems with the Merengues Higuain confirmed his future with Real Madrid. His association with Di Maria in this championship is an advance of the backbone of Jose Mourinho's offensive engine in Spain.