Group C

[Interforeva]

I was disappointed by this result, I really wanted the Ivory coast to get off to a good start and get some points. They played well, but their finishing wasn’t so great – they def need to make more of their chances in the next match. Argentina were Argentina, nice to see Saviola score.

 

[angelo]

Premise: I really like Burdisso and I hope that we do not sell him (I would love to see him in the center with Samuel).

Now yesterday in the first half I think that he played a really bad game. He was left alone against quick attackers and they did what they wanted around him. He made several errors when he had to pass the ball too and only in the last minutes of the half he got better.

In the second half when Pekerman ordered (I think he did) to Rodriguez to help the right back Burdisso played a lot better and Ivory Coast did nothing on his wing.

It can be that it was the first match and Argentina was worried about not repeating the disaster of 4 years ago. Or maybe the whole defensive unit had to get used to a 4 men defense that became a 3 men defense when they had the ball. I am sure that Burdisso will play just fine in the next matches but I wonder if Pekerman will regret the decision to exclude Javier.

 

[UhUhOleguer]

you can't compare the two. Nesta plays in a more defensive team and hence defending for him is easier. Ayala has to move forward.

Ayala would kill it at Milan or in any defensive team. Cannavarro is fark and nothing else.

 

[Frisko]

Ivory Coast were damn impressive, hats off to them, I look forward to their next game.

 

[Hammoudi]

LOL Helal you sicko Sorry to burst your bubble, but it is pronounced 'Tee Zieh.' Great observation nonetheless

you can't compare the two. Nesta plays in a more defensive team and hence defending for him is easier. Ayala has to move forward.

Ayala would kill it at Milan or in any defensive team. Cannavarro is fark and nothing else.

Mehdi 4 Presidente :star:

Max, Nesta is a legend, but Ayala is better than him. I don't mean you by no mean, but only the armchair fan or the popcorn fan (both pharses are properties of Catanha) would dismiss Ayala as nothing compared to Nesta.

As Mehdi mentioned, Nesta played in a defensive league with teams that had a defensive sense. Also, he had other legends as supporting cast, from Sensi to Stam to Maldini. Also, when he came to Milan, the red carpet was rolled for him, and he was given all the time in the world (but he didn't need much) to adapt to Milan.

Ayala, however, had to fight his way all the time. When he came to Milan, he was some South American extra. And the Milan of that time wasted talents like Desailly, Davids, Vieira etc. So not much comment there.

Additionally, Ayala played his trade in the most offensive team in the world. Valencia were nothing but an average team. They beat the world powers in Real with their defence, and Ayala played a major part in that. I still remember how desperate Real tried to buy him.

Ayala isn't the biggest guy around, nor is he the quickest. But his brain and sixth sense are better than entire defensive lines (including ours with Samuel and Cordoba.)

It's really sad that few would appreciate that because Ayala didn't appear in Adidas or Pepsi commercials. The armchair fan is missing alot.

 

[Wittmann]

Ayala isn't the biggest guy around, nor is he the quickest. But his brain and sixth sense are better than entire defensive lines (including ours with Samuel and Cordoba.)

That's exatcly what I think of Nesta..Talented, very smart defender, very similiar to another legend, Maldini..that's just the thing that separates him amongst the others..For example, I rate Walter Samuel very highly, but the guy often looks brainless ot the pitch..

I know many of you consider me biased on Nesta issue, but I liked him even more when he played for Lazio..With him in the back line, you just feel you can relax and enjoy watching the match..I didn't say Ayala is nowhere near him, cause he is, but I would always pick Nesta between two of them..

When I read the comments, most of you said Mascherano was excellent..I must admit I didn't noticed that, I only remeber him successfully marking Kalou in the 2nd half..

 

[Jimmy]

My emotions in this game would be decisive if I would support Argentina or not in this World Cup. Luckily, my disgust for Pekerman was enough to overcome my Argentine fetische. I truely supported the Ivory Coast in this one.

 

[Pi]

Great game coming up, Serbia and Montenegro vs. Netherlands, both teams play an open football, and they don't have a defensive tradition. I expect some goals, or at least a lot of attepmts.

Netherlands surely as better players, and I'm still very impressed with their Qualification to this World Cup, I must say I have high hopes for Netherlands, I only hope they don't find Portugal on the 2nd phase.

Serbia and Montenegro are a good team with some great players, the way I see it they have to make some pressure on Netherlands, stop their midfield, and get to the attack quickly, because I believe once you get past the first line of Netherlands defence (CM/DM) they will be in great danger. Also Forza Dejan.

EDIT: The line-ups (FIFA.com)

Serbia and Montenegro: Dragoslav Jevric (GK); Ivica Dragutinovic; Igor Duljaj; Goran Gavrancic; Mateja Kezman; Savo Milosevic (C);DEJAN STANKOVIC; Predrag Djordjevic; Nenad Djordjevic; Albert Nadj; Mladen Krstajic

Netherlands: Edwin Van Der Sar (GK) (C); Joris Mathijsen; Giovanni Van Bronckhorst; Phillip Cocu; Ruud Van Nisteltooij; Arjen Robben; Andre Ooijer; John Heitinga; Robin Van Persie; Mark van Bommel; Wesley Sneijder

 

[angelo]

I expected a lot from this match too but what a delusion. Serbia decided to defend first and for the law of retaliation allowed a goal in a counter-attack situation. Then they waited other twenty minutes before starting to attack (five minutes before the intermission ). In the second half thanks to some good subs (except for Zigic) they attacked more and had some good chance but it was just a bad day for their strikers.

Holland started well but the Serbian tactic engulfed them and they were able to score only thanks to an offside mistake made by the defenders and a great understanding between Robben and…the guy that made the pass (I do not remember his name).

For the rest of the match they relied only on flashes of the single players (especially Robben and some long distance shots) but this is not the Dutch idea of football that I like.

Let’s hope both teams were nervous for their first match because otherwise there are enough reasons to tear one’s hair out (if you have any that is). It must be said that it was warm and maybe the players suffered that too.

Lastly Stankovic played a great game in the first 25 minutes. He was deployed on the right wing and helped his team-mate to stop Robben and made great passes for his team-mates. Then the manager began to move him all over the field (he played on the left, then in the middle and lastly was brought back on the right wing) and after a rough tackle and the yellow card vanished a little.

He received few playable balls from his team-mates but on those balls he did good things. Toward the end of the match he tried to score with a free kick but he wasn’t even close. I guess he was tired and a little confused after all the movements on the field . Sooner or later we will see him in the center with the ball between his feet to dictate passes for his team-mates…

 

[Hammoudi]

a great understanding between Robben and…the guy that made the pass (I do not remember his name).

It was Robert Van Persie.

First half was good, but I ended up sleeping mid-way through the second half due to high boredom readings.

It seems Serbia conceded defeat before the game. Maybe they think their style would work well against Argentina and Cote D'Ivoire.

 

[angelo]

Thanks Hamed.

I do not understand the Serbia manager behaviour too. Once he saw that Holland was not attacking that much he should have changed something but he waited too much.

In the second half you weren't the only one yawning. You can add me and almost all the 22 players on the field. I'll try to read the post match interview to see if it was the warm or something like that because they really looked slack.

Serbia will have a tough time rebounding if their strikers do not wake up. Maybe against Argentina they will be able to use counter-attacks because Pekerman should send on the field a more offensive game after the critics made by some players (Ayala above all).

In the end however you still have to score and they have great problems. Kezman and Milosevic do the same movements in the same zone and preventing each other from being effective (today it happened twice). Zigic has a lot of potential but instead of moaning should be more alert .

 

[luka32]

Not because I want to start any discussion but if you say that the "3 fingers" is national serbian "hello" then you dont know anything about that...

3 fingers means,-symbol of our religion.Father ,Son,and Saint soul!

p.s. It is Kosovo i Metohija,not Kosova

 

[brehme1989]

Politics and Religions talk is some forums underneath

 

[luka32]

Our best defender Nemanja Vidic is inyured.He didnt play in first match against Holland.Match against Argentina,will be very difficult,but i hope we will win

 

[shahz_nerazzurri]

I am also one of Ayala's biggest fans. I really think that this guy dosent get the recognition he deserves. Just like capitino. But really to say that he is better than Nesta. NAAAAAAAAHHHH.
Anyways we had this argument a year ago I think, and nothing came out of it. Except for Primo's ban or something, so I dont wanna go into again

 

[Pravesh]

It's been reported that L.Gonzalez MIGHT start the next match and who would he replace - CAMBIASSO.

 

[Wallace]

Why should Cambiasso be replaced?

I watched the game, he wasn't anything special, but still did his job, I think that's all it matters. When will Messi be available? Really looking forward to see him in the big stadium .

Tevez should get some playing time as well :boogy:.

 

[catanha]

don't wanna be a d1ckhead here, but Lucho is better than Cambiasso, and if one should play, it should be Lucho, but all three should play, Lucho should replace Maxi Rodriguez, not Cambiasso.

About Messi, heartbreaking, he injured his foot and is most likely out until the second round (if Argentina make it).

 

[Handoyo]

don't wanna be a d1ckhead here, but Lucho is better than Cambiasso, and if one should play, it should be Lucho, but all three should play, Lucho should replace Maxi Rodriguez, not Cambiasso.

Not disagreeing with you but perhaps perhaps Pekerman wants some with in his team. With Cambi, Lucho & Masch, he'll get none. And I do feel that Crespo is the best finisher of crosses in this world.

About Messi, heartbreaking, he injured his foot and is most likely out until the second round (if Argentina make it).

Sources? Cos funnily enough, I read this a few minutes before reading your post.

• Messi winning fitness race for Serbia clash
  14 June 2006
  Argentina forward Lionel Messi should be fit for Friday's Group C clash with Serbia & Montenegro, despite hobbling out of training today with a foot injury.
  
  The Barcelona playmaker fell awkwardly during a practice session and withdrew from training, complaining of pain in his left instep.
  
  However, national-team doctor Donato Villani calmed fears Messi may miss Argentina's second group game by revealing the 18-year-old would be fit for the match.
  
  Team spokesman Andres Ventura said: 'Messi suffered pain in his left instep and will be followed closely to see how he recovers.'
  
  Messi was a substitute in Argentina's 2-1 win against Ivory Coast in their opening group game and it seems he will have to be content with a place on the bench against the Serbo-Montenegrins.
  
  (soccernet)

I just hope that Rooney & Messi can play as soon as possible for their respective countries, so the Messiah can show Lonney Tunes who's the real man in business. :angel::strong:


Handyo

 

[catanha]

from BBC Sport, Han.
This is what it said

Messi suffers new injury setback

Messi led Argentina to victory in the World Youth Cup last year
Argentine prodigy Lionel Messi has suffered a new injury setback after he hurt his left foot in training.
Messi, 19 in 10 days' time, has only recently recovered from a thigh injury that kept him out of action after the Champions League quarter-finals.

"He'll have it evaluated in the next hours and on Thursday we'll see," said an Argentine spokesman.

Messi was not a substitute during Argentina's opening Group C match, the 2-1 win over Ivory Coast on Saturday.

Argentina's next game is against Serbia and Montenegro on Friday and coach Jose Pekerman could name his team on Thursday.

but now, the link has changed and it says much of the same as your article says
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/argentina/5081676.stm

great news, COME ON LIO!!