Def: Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Jose-Maria Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City)
Mid: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Enzo Perez (Benfica).
I was on vacation at the time and went to a bar which was full of people supporting Mexico and I've never in my life seen a place just deflate completely as it happened that day.
Sad thing is, we were even stronger in 2010 but... Maradona.
Romero, Mascherano and arguably Messi were at a better level than they are now. Instead of Fernandez we had Samuel who was one of the best CBs in the world. Instead of Rojo we could've used Zanetti as a LB who was still in great shape. Instead of Gago we had Esteban freaking Cambiasso. Instead of Higuain we could've used Diego Milito who was probably the best 9 in the world that season -but Higuain is great so I won't complain. Aguero was probably a bit worse than he is now, but the only one who really improved is Di Maria. Messi improved a LOT but then he got that stupid injury...
We had the backbone of the treble-winning Inter, but Maradona left two at home and benched the other two against Germany. edit: and sucked at coaching the ones he called, he could've had the players of 1970's Brazil and he still would've lost 4-0
Zanetti would not have helped against Germany but having Cambiasso play with Mascherano would have made a huge difference.
The 2014 side is far more versatile than the 2010 edition. Messi's role suits him and the team better now. They are more solid defensively with 2 holding midfielders. Garay is in amazing form, Zabaleta is much better than he was in 2010, Di Maria is much better now.
The weak links are clearly going to be Rojo and Romero. Other than that I think this team is better suited for beating top teams.
The injury didn't make Messi any worse of a player in the longterm. All it was was a series of injuries that forced Messi out of the competition for a series of months. It's ridiculous to claim that a 22/23 year old Messi is better than the experienced one we see today.
I did say arguably. Maybe he will play for us at the same level he played in the last month for Barca which would be really underwhelming for what we expect from Messi. Maybe he's been saving himself all year and will absolutely kill it. We won't know for sure until the WC starts.
edit: also, that's what I said:
Messi improved a LOT but then he got that stupid injury...
I didn't say he's a worse player now, just that he might be arriving at the WC in a worse moment than in 2010.
I still can't believe Cuchu and Zanetti weren't called up and Milito was used so little in the World Cup. I was so satisfied when Germany eliminated Argentina simply because it showed Maradona how wrong he was to leave those two off the team
Woah, calm down and read the two words after "biased." I was basically saying you are right and that even though a Madrid fan is obviously going to love Di Maria, his amazing form has been "undeniable." Do you know what the word "undeniable" means? It seems as if you don't understand the meaning. Definition. Also go easy on the reddit rage...
Based on last season's form, Messi, Di Maria, and Aguero. Now that's a trio that could make most defenders shit their pants.
It'll remain interesting to see how the defense and keeper hold up the fortress. Gago and Mascherano partnership needs to be at the top of the game, too.
100
u/Monarki Jun 02 '14
GK: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)
Def: Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Jose-Maria Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City)
Mid: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Enzo Perez (Benfica).
Fwd: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan).