Loaded with attacking talents and a mediocre defensive unit no one knows how to put forward the best Argentina 11. Basile tried and failed, Maradona joked around for a bit and now it looks as if Segio Batista has got no clue as well.The biggest problem for Batista’s team in the Copa has been the midfield. Himself being a defensive midfielder in his days he has decided to play both Cambiasso and Mascherano in the centre of the park thus limiting the spark from the core. Messi having been moulded in the Barcelona way does not know how to influence the game without the Xavi and Iniesta. Tevez has got his mind on a transfer getting done from Manchester City and hardly is an influence. Burdisso is not international quality and Lavezzi has got no clue what is going on.So what’s the best team available for Albicelestes ; firstly it is important to follow the principle ‘let the game be played the way your best player wants it to be played’-so play as close as possible to the Barcelona way to suit Messi and give him the space. So second thing go and find players who are almost like the Barca players.So with a 4-3-3 formation here’s how you must play:
Goalkeeper: Andres RomaroThere’s no doubting that he is the best keeper Argentina has. He has got a decent distribution rate and the Argentina goal is in very safe hand.The Back Four:Jonas Gutierez is the best option Argentina has to resemble Dani Alves on the Right Wing. Originally a winger he has more than decent defensive abilities. He is a good crosser of the ball, something that the National Team has desperately been lacking.Javier Zanetti is still the best Argentina defender at 38.Playing at Left Back he should provide ample solidity to the back four.Nicolas Otamendi and Walter Samuels looks to be the best pairing to pair up at the Centre Back. Otamendi was Argentina’s best defender at the World Cup and was instrumental in Porto’s Europa League triumph. While Samuels is still the”wall” ,the height of the two men could be a case for concern but its still better than defenders who can’t find their feet. But with neither involved in the Copa squad-there is not much hope with Milito and Burdisso.The Central Midfield:Javier Maschrano will walk into any Argentina team just like his Barcelona team-mate. Tough and strong he can be a prickle in any opposition team’s midfield. He will protect the back four especially the right hand side with an attack minded Gutierez. But it’s not his role to dictate tempo in the midfield. For that there is..Ever Banega is a much better player than statistics suggests. The Valencia man can dictate the pace of the game with accurate passing and killer through balls. But he is not a natural goal-scorer, but he is still good enough to get the nod ahead of Cambiasso and Gago.Javier Pastore should start every Argentina match with the talents and abilities he has got. Supposedly Seria A’s most talented youngster should be the perfect foil in the midfield for someone like Mascherano. He can be the Argentine Iniesta that Messi is desperately looking for.
The Attack:Kun Aguero on the left hand side looks like the option Batista should opt for after his impressive showing off the bench. He is athletic and dynamic and like Pedro in the Barcelona team knows where the back of the net is. Just pips Di Maria for the starting spotGonzalo Higuain is Argentina’s most natural goal-scorer. He was Argentina’s striker throughout the World Cup and perhaps only the few things Maradona got right. His link up play is excellent and he is a fine header of the ball.Lionel Messi now on the right hand side gets the freedom he craves for. Not required now to bring the ball out from the midfield because of the players starting alongside him. He should now be able to roam about the 18 yards territory and do what he does best. If he still can’t do it, then its’ better for him to hang his boots for Argentina and let a team be built and not a team built around a individual.
