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.
This choice has been Batista's second modification ahead of the 2011 Copa America's opening match. Aside from that, Lucas Biglia made room for Internazionale's midfielder Esteban Cambiasso in midfield, joining Barcelona's Javier Mascherano and Valencia's Ever Banega.
The Albiceleste's identity has taken an architectonic turn with Batista, building the team around Lionel Messi while defining a new style of play. Messi's disappointing performance under the Maradona era only delivered frustration to Argentine fans. Since then, Tevez has become the bearer of a new alternative.
"Tevez has been chosen for his association with Messi. Di Maria allows us to assume a more offensive stance, but Tevez improves our playing" confirmed Batista on Thursday evening.
Tevez will be playing his 60th game with the Albicelestes this Friday in La Plata. "He has to play because it's the best for the team at the moment," Batista believes.
Meanwhile, Bolivia visits La Plata in one of the hardest games of the competition. The expectations of the local crowd is overwhelming, but this does not seem to affect the judgement of Bolivia's coach Carlos Quintero.
"The level of the Argentine players is amazing, but they haven't been able to show their worth as a national team. Tevez, Messi and Di Maria all finished an excellent season with their respective squads, but they were unable to find their place in the Albicelestes," said Quintero in Argentina days before the clash.
The visitors prepare a defensive 4-4-1-1 formation to keep up with the pace of the Argentines in the midfield. Argentina and Bolivia share Group A with Colombia and Costa Rica.
The Albicelestes are desperate for an international title after 18 years. Remarkably, Sergio Batista led Argentina towards its last glory, back in 2008's Summer Olympic games. Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria were the leaders of that U-23 Argentine squad in Beijing.
Now, Sergio Batista wants to demonstrate that he has solved Argentina's dressing room conflicts. Can he lead a harmonious Albicelestes side to Copa America glory?
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.
This choice has been Batista's second modification ahead of the 2011 Copa America's opening match. Aside from that, Lucas Biglia made room for Internazionale's midfielder Esteban Cambiasso in midfield, joining Barcelona's Javier Mascherano and Valencia's Ever Banega.
The Albiceleste's identity has taken an architectonic turn with Batista, building the team around Lionel Messi while defining a new style of play. Messi's disappointing performance under the Maradona era only delivered frustration to Argentine fans. Since then, Tevez has become the bearer of a new alternative.
"Tevez has been chosen for his association with Messi. Di Maria allows us to assume a more offensive stance, but Tevez improves our playing" confirmed Batista on Thursday evening.
Tevez will be playing his 60th game with the Albicelestes this Friday in La Plata. "He has to play because it's the best for the team at the moment," Batista believes.
Meanwhile, Bolivia visits La Plata in one of the hardest games of the competition. The expectations of the local crowd is overwhelming, but this does not seem to affect the judgement of Bolivia's coach Carlos Quintero.
"The level of the Argentine players is amazing, but they haven't been able to show their worth as a national team. Tevez, Messi and Di Maria all finished an excellent season with their respective squads, but they were unable to find their place in the Albicelestes," said Quintero in Argentina days before the clash.
The visitors prepare a defensive 4-4-1-1 formation to keep up with the pace of the Argentines in the midfield. Argentina and Bolivia share Group A with Colombia and Costa Rica.
The Albicelestes are desperate for an international title after 18 years. Remarkably, Sergio Batista led Argentina towards its last glory, back in 2008's Summer Olympic games. Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria were the leaders of that U-23 Argentine squad in Beijing.
Now, Sergio Batista wants to demonstrate that he has solved Argentina's dressing room conflicts. Can he lead a harmonious Albicelestes side to Copa America glory?
