In the second part of FBO’s Argentina Week Brian Mann focuses on the Albiceleste midfield.
When he first took the reins of the Albiceleste one might have been forgiven for thinking that Alejandro Sabella, formerly a silkily skilful midfielder (who impressed during stints in England with Sheffield and Leeds United in the late 70s and early 80s) would be tempted to use players similar to himself in the process of revamping the Argentine midfield. Pragmatism is however Alejandro’s overriding hallmark and the concept of using an enganche playmaker to dictate play is an anathema to him.
Javier Mascherano – First name on the team sheet.
Aware of defensive deficiencies he has placed the emphasis on a defensively minded midfield and stay at home fullbacks. Although his winning formula in World Cup qualification was more by luck than considered judgement the philosophy is stamped in the midfielders he has picked throughout his time as coach of Argentina.
That crucial moment came away against Colombia at a time when Sabella was using three defensive midfielders, a mistake which Alfio Basile isolating Messi and Higuain upfront.
Since then while Sabella has continued to use three midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 or 5-3-2 (although with Messi prepared to drop deep it is more often a traditional 4-2-2-2) the personnel filling those spots are not just out and out defensive midfielders.
First choice is without question Javier Mascherano. El jefecito currently plays as a centre back at Barcelona given that Sergio Busquets is the preferred choice as defensive midfielder. Ironically it was coaches at the River Plate cantera who moved Mascherano to the role he has excelled in for Argentina, citing his physical stature as a disadvantage to playing at centre back.
A leader by example and one of the finest players in his role in the world game his frame belies tremendous acceleration and an ability to read and respond to dangerous situations, often recovered with trademark slide tackles. Less known is his role as a deep playmaker capable of accurately hitting inch perfect long range passes, a valuable weapon in the countering system Argentina has adopted.
Undoubtedly Mascherano is one of the first names on the team sheet but who will emerge as his backup? Over the qualification campaign Rodrigo Brana, now at Quilmes, and Pablo Guinazu, back in Brazil with Vasco de Gama, have been dropped. Age and injuries have caught up with both, allied to a rather lacklustre ability to build play or anticipate and, along with Leandro Somoza, the trio are now out of contention for selection.
Sabella could instead look to Sporting Lisbon’s Fabian Rinaudo who is cast in the same mould as Mascherano albeit a serious ankle injury has taken the edge off his pace. He can also play box to box, something which he would not be required to replicate for the national side.
Bruno Zuculini, Lucas Biglia and Fabian Rinaudo could all be called on to back up Mascherano.
At present Lucas Biglia (Lazio) another u20 World Cup winner is the favourite, a position he has cemented with some solid displays for Argentina. An extremely accurate passer, he keeps the midfield moving forward although in other respects, notably his tackling and physicality, he is a slight downgrade on Mascherano and Rinaudo. He has also been hampered by injuries at Lazio this season and while dependable doesn’t represent an entirely convincing option.
A possible surprise choice would be twenty year old Bruno Zuculini of Racing de Avelleneda. Already confirmed for a summer move to Manchester City the younger brother of Franco has been a shining light in a dismal season for Racing. The former u17 player under the influence of Luis Zubeldia has turned into an all action midfielder capable of scoring goals as well as protecting his defence. Blessed with decent enough pace and technique, his passing skills allied with aggression and anticipatory ability have seen his stock rise impressively although this may be a World Cup too early for him.
The other defensive midfielder Sabella employs in his system is more a two way player (to use ice hockey parlance), expected to help defend while linking the fantastic attacking trio or quartet with the rest of the side.
Currently Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors) occupies the role. A fellow u20 World Cup winner with Messi in 2005, expectations where huge for the gifted youngster but his sojourns in Europe with Real Madrid, Roma and Valencia offered only tantalizing glimpses of what he can deliver. Now back at his spiritual home, his performances – when injury free – have been excellent in terms of distribution as well as getting stuck in and more akin to those he has put in the Albiceleste jersey. In the national side he has become a crucial fixture, often found in advanced positions forming a dangerous axis with Messi and the other members of a lethal strike force.
Ever Banega – talented but inconsistent
His deputy could well be another Boca product, the extraordinarily talented Ever Banega. An u20 World Cup winner in 2007, his performances at Valencia have had many a coach tearing their hair out in frustration for sheer lack of consistency not to mention going’s on off the field. Blessed with great ball control that often sees him getting out of the tightest spots with ease, great passing ability and, as seen against Bolivia and Italy recently, a pretty decent shot, On his day Ever is without doubt one of the best midfielders in the world. And at long last consistency seems to be coming to the fore in his game. Considering Gago’s fragility, it may well be needed in Brazil if Argentina are to win the title.
In terms of attacking midfielders Sabella will likely utilise Messi when he drops deeper and the sole question is who would replace him if, God forbid, he is not available for a tournament that could cement his reputation as one of the greatest football players in history.
Of the two possibilities Walter Montillo (Santos) is far more likely to make an appearance than Javier Pastore (PSG). Montillo has forged a career outside of Argentina in Chile and then Brazil where his performances for Cruzeiro brought him to the attention of Sabella. Montillo is a skilful attacker with strong crossing and passing ability, vision and an excellent turn of pace. He has been brought in when the need for a Messi deputy has arisen although recent selections seem to indicate him falling down the pecking order.
While it would be impossible for anyone to replicate the Messi repertoire, Montillo’s efforts have not matched his club form and a dip in form since moving to Santos may well leave him watching from the sidelines this summer.
In which case Javier Pastore may as well contact his travel agent and book his holidays now. An excellent passer and decent enough dribbler with an ability to finish, Pastore has not kicked on from his time at Huracan and Palermo where he was heralded as the next big thing in football. Consistent only for his inconsistency, a questionable work rate is also likely to put paid to his chances of a call up.
Both have been superseded by Ricardo Alvarez. After leaving Velez for Internazionale and despite the Argentine contingent there, he seemed nothing more than a show pony with incredible dribbling skills (hence his El Maravilla moniker), provoking deep frustration in all those who saw him.
But in the dying embers of the 2012/3 season Mazzari managed to improve the trickster’s levels of stamina, speed, work rate and defensive qualities, a development that has continued this season. Moving Alvarez to a central role has also benefitted him greatly and he has been Internazionale’s standout performer this season. His big weaknesses may still be a tendency to try and dribble past the same player twice and reliance on his left foot. However his empathy with another likely pick, club mate Palacio will also help his cause.
The third midfielder in the system has been Angel di Maria. Another u20 World Cup winner, the skilful left winger can play both flanks but is utilized as a midfielder by Argentina. His accurate long passes, pace and synergy with Messi as he inevitably tracks left across the pitch have been a cornerstone of their success. Incredible stamina – as seen at altitude in Bolivia – and willingness to track back are vast improvements on the 2010 debacle when he was employed in the same role by Maradona.
Youth and experience -Erik Lamela and Maxi Rodriguez
His likely deputy could be Erik Lamela. Always seen as a future Argentina star at River Plate his performances at Roma confirmed his skillset and desire to improve. While he is taking time to adjust to new circumstances at Tottenham there have been enough tantalizing glimpses of his link up with the likes of Aguero in the seleccion to suggest he would fill in more than adequately.
On the other side of the pitch Maxi Rodriguez has returned to the form he was in prior to a serious knee injury picked up after the 2006 World Cup. A tremendously intelligent player and neat passer, often of quick give and goes, his recent finishing record with Newell’s, the club he idolizes, has been sensational. After earning a deserved recall against Paraguay he has carried this goal scoring form into recent international games, bagging a brace in the final qualifier against Uruguay. Injuries notwithstanding he is certain to be picked considering his prior World Cup experience.
Overall the Argentine midfield is well balanced and certainly does not lack skill. One man sits along with the fullbacks with the onus placed on the other defensive midfielder and di Maria to link play and with Messi and Aguero quite capable of playing from deep this set up works well.
Argentina may have no physical monsters in midfield in terms of stature but will rely on their ball retention, dribbling skills and incredible levels of stamina to win the battle in this critical area, providing cover for the defence and supplying the magicians upfront.
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