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CL Comment: Diego Maradona – Were You Watching Inter’s Zanetti & Cambiasso?
Another sterling performance from the Argentine duo against the Blaugrana, Goal.com’s
Apr 29, 2010 5:30:00 AM
By Anthony Wright
Since taking over as Argentina coach in 2008, Diego Maradona has called up more than 100 players to represent los Albicelestes. It is an alarming number of players to select for one of the world’s foremost nations in the build-up to a World Cup, but there are two in particular that will be questioning just why they haven’t been a regular part of the coach’s plans.
The second leg of Inter’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona was yet another indication of the talents of Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso, and one of these days Maradona will have to ensure that the Nerazzurri duo are two of the first names on his team-sheet. While some may cite Zanetti’s age as a reason to exclude him from the squad, there are two reasons why this argument fails to stand up to scrutiny. The first is the simple fact that Maradona has called up 37-year-old Rolando Schiavi, 36-year-old Martin Palermo and 35-year-old Juan Sebastian Veron to the team in the past; Zanetti cannot be excluded on the grounds of being too old.
More important, however, is the second reason. While the aforementioned trio have their merits, they all ply their trade in the Argentine league. Zanetti, meanwhile, has demonstrated his class week in, week out at the very top level in Serie A and the Champions League. Against Barcelona, Zanetti defied his years to nullify the not-inconsiderable threat of fellow Argentine Lionel Messi as he did not allow him any space in which to work his magic. Cynics may point to the fact that the entire Inter side were defending throughout the match, enabling the 36-year-old to commit more fully to his defensive responsibilities. This is hardly the case; Zanetti was majestic during the first leg against the Blaugrana as well when he not only defended brilliantly but also supported the attack. Unassuming, versatile, authoritative and still technically superb – there is no reason for him not to be in South Africa.
The same goes for team-mate Esteban Cambiasso. Maradona’s tactical plans are often a mystery unto himself, but there must surely be a way in which he can utilize two of the finest defensive midfielders in the world. Cambiasso, alongside Javier Mascherano, could transform the flaky Argentina midfield into a solid, impenetrable unit. The Nerazzurri midfielder’s form was admittedly patchy earlier on in the season, but in the crucial phase of the campaign he has never shirked his responsibilities. In the Camp Nou, the former Real Madrid man stood up against the endless waves of Barcelona attacks and repelled them ferociously, demonstrating the resilience and discipline that Thiago Motta lacked as he picked up a red card in the first half.
With the Italian champions down to 10 men, defensive fortitude was essential to their success against the incessant Blaugrana attacks. Could the same situation arise in the World Cup if Argentina were to face a team such as Spain in the World Cup? Quite possibly. Would you trust Fernando Gago or the inexperienced Ever Banega to give such an assured performance against the very best in the world? Certainly not. Cambiasso knows how to halt Messi in his tracks, how to prevent Xavi from dictating the tempo of the game and how to stop the ball from frequently penetrating his team’s midfield. What is more, he has shown that he is capable of performing against the reigning European and world champions at club level – it would be criminal of Maradona to continue to overlook him.
Should Zanetti be included either as a third midfielder or in defense, and two of Serie A’s best-performing defenders in Nicolas Burdisso and Walter Samuel be selected at the heart of the back four, Argentina’s defense would certainly be a lot more watertight than in qualifying. If Cambiasso was also employed as a protective shield in front of the back four, los Albicelestes’ prospects would certainly be a lot brighter going into the World Cup.
The second leg of Inter’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona was yet another indication of the talents of Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso, and one of these days Maradona will have to ensure that the Nerazzurri duo are two of the first names on his team-sheet. While some may cite Zanetti’s age as a reason to exclude him from the squad, there are two reasons why this argument fails to stand up to scrutiny. The first is the simple fact that Maradona has called up 37-year-old Rolando Schiavi, 36-year-old Martin Palermo and 35-year-old Juan Sebastian Veron to the team in the past; Zanetti cannot be excluded on the grounds of being too old.
More important, however, is the second reason. While the aforementioned trio have their merits, they all ply their trade in the Argentine league. Zanetti, meanwhile, has demonstrated his class week in, week out at the very top level in Serie A and the Champions League. Against Barcelona, Zanetti defied his years to nullify the not-inconsiderable threat of fellow Argentine Lionel Messi as he did not allow him any space in which to work his magic. Cynics may point to the fact that the entire Inter side were defending throughout the match, enabling the 36-year-old to commit more fully to his defensive responsibilities. This is hardly the case; Zanetti was majestic during the first leg against the Blaugrana as well when he not only defended brilliantly but also supported the attack. Unassuming, versatile, authoritative and still technically superb – there is no reason for him not to be in South Africa.
The same goes for team-mate Esteban Cambiasso. Maradona’s tactical plans are often a mystery unto himself, but there must surely be a way in which he can utilize two of the finest defensive midfielders in the world. Cambiasso, alongside Javier Mascherano, could transform the flaky Argentina midfield into a solid, impenetrable unit. The Nerazzurri midfielder’s form was admittedly patchy earlier on in the season, but in the crucial phase of the campaign he has never shirked his responsibilities. In the Camp Nou, the former Real Madrid man stood up against the endless waves of Barcelona attacks and repelled them ferociously, demonstrating the resilience and discipline that Thiago Motta lacked as he picked up a red card in the first half.
With the Italian champions down to 10 men, defensive fortitude was essential to their success against the incessant Blaugrana attacks. Could the same situation arise in the World Cup if Argentina were to face a team such as Spain in the World Cup? Quite possibly. Would you trust Fernando Gago or the inexperienced Ever Banega to give such an assured performance against the very best in the world? Certainly not. Cambiasso knows how to halt Messi in his tracks, how to prevent Xavi from dictating the tempo of the game and how to stop the ball from frequently penetrating his team’s midfield. What is more, he has shown that he is capable of performing against the reigning European and world champions at club level – it would be criminal of Maradona to continue to overlook him.
Should Zanetti be included either as a third midfielder or in defense, and two of Serie A’s best-performing defenders in Nicolas Burdisso and Walter Samuel be selected at the heart of the back four, Argentina’s defense would certainly be a lot more watertight than in qualifying. If Cambiasso was also employed as a protective shield in front of the back four, los Albicelestes’ prospects would certainly be a lot brighter going into the World Cup.
CL Comment: Diego Maradona – Were You Watching Inter’s Javier Zanetti & Esteban Cambiasso Against Barcelona?
After another sterling performance from the Argentine duo against the Blaugrana, Goal.com’s Anthony Wright wonders what more they have to do to earn a place on the plane to South Africa this summer…
Since taking over as Argentina coach in 2008, Diego Maradona has called up more than 100 players to represent los Albicelestes. It is an alarming number of players to select for one of the world’s foremost nations in the build-up to a World Cup, but there are two in particular that will be questioning just why they haven’t been a regular part of the coach’s plans.
The second leg of Inter’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona was yet another indication of the talents of Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso, and one of these days Maradona will have to ensure that the Nerazzurri duo are two of the first names on his team-sheet. While some may cite Zanetti’s age as a reason to exclude him from the squad, there are two reasons why this argument fails to stand up to scrutiny. The first is the simple fact that Maradona has called up 37-year-old Rolando Schiavi, 36-year-old Martin Palermo and 35-year-old Juan Sebastian Veron to the team in the past; Zanetti cannot be excluded on the grounds of being too old.
More important, however, is the second reason. While the aforementioned trio have their merits, they all ply their trade in the Argentine league. Zanetti, meanwhile, has demonstrated his class week in, week out at the very top level in Serie A and the Champions League. Against Barcelona, Zanetti defied his years to nullify the not-inconsiderable threat of fellow Argentine Lionel Messi as he did not allow him any space in which to work his magic. Cynics may point to the fact that the entire Inter side were defending throughout the match, enabling the 36-year-old to commit more fully to his defensive responsibilities. This is hardly the case; Zanetti was majestic during the first leg against the Blaugrana as well when he not only defended brilliantly but also supported the attack. Unassuming, versatile, authoritative and still technically superb – there is no reason for him not to be in South Africa.
The same goes for team-mate Esteban Cambiasso. Maradona’s tactical plans are often a mystery unto himself, but there must surely be a way in which he can utilise two of the finest defensive midfielders in the world. Cambiasso, alongside Javier Mascherano, could transform the flaky Argentina midfield into a solid, impenetrable unit. The Nerazzurri midfielder’s form was admittedly patchy earlier on in the season, but in the crucial phase of the campaign he has never shirked his responsibilities. In the Camp Nou, the former Real Madrid man stood up against the endless waves of Barcelona attacks and repelled them ferociously, demonstrating the resilience and discipline that Thiago Motta lacked as he picked up a red card in the first half.
With the Italian champions down to 10 men, defensive fortitude was essential to their success against the incessant Blaugrana attacks. Could the same situation arise in the World Cup if Argentina were to face a team such as Spain in the World Cup? Quite possibly. Would you trust Fernando Gago or the inexperienced Ever Banega to give such an assured performance against the very best in the world? Certainly not. Cambiasso knows how to halt Messi in his tracks, how to prevent Xavi from dictating the tempo of the game and how to stop the ball from frequently penetrating his team’s midfield. What is more, he has shown that he is capable of performing against the reigning European and world champions at club level – it would be criminal of Maradona to continue to overlook him.
Should Zanetti be included either as a third midfielder or in defence, and two of Serie A’s best-performing defenders in Nicolas Burdisso and Walter Samuel be selected at the heart of the back four, Argentina’s defence would certainly be a lot more watertight than in qualifying. If Cambiasso was also employed as a protective shield in front of the back four, los Albicelestes’ prospects would certainly be a lot brighter going into the World Cup.
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