What an epic struggle. It was still tied at 1-1 at the end of extra time. Thinking back, that injury to Abbondanzieri turned out crucial. Such is fate.
Jens Lehmann turned the savior effecting two fine saves off Roberto Ayala and Cambiasso’s PK. Ayala pushed in weak effort and Lehmann read it correctly. Marcleo Balboa who was screaming how Lehmann really looked bad suddenly had to shut up. He also went on his “how fresh legs are so important ” mantra, when Neuville and Cruz converted their chances. But he could not say much when Ballack converted his chance. Someone should tell Balboa that soccer players are supposed to play 90 minutes and even more. That if you substitute players, there will still be two players who would have played the whole game that need to take PKs if it goes into a shootout.
The reason Pekerman brought on Cruz was because of his height, to bolster the inexperienced goalie in free kick situations and corner kicks. Pekerman also gambled on Cambiasso being a more defensive midfielder, to ride out the last 10 minutes which was looking increasingly looking like an Argentine win. Balboa kep repeating that he could not believe that Saviola and Messi were on the bench.
Balboa is the worst when it comes to armchair coaching. Messi and Saviola are goalscorers, some one like Riquelme or Cambiasso has to give them the ball. Having Saviola, Tevez, and Messi all up front would not have made much of a difference if your playmaker is out. As for Cambiasso, if fresh legs is all that it took to shoot PKs, one wonders why he missed.
Anyways, congratulations to Ballack and the Mannschaft. They won against an exceedingly talented Argentinian side. I think this Argentinian squad can only improve. Maybe their veteran defence in Ayala and Heinze might not be able to carry on for another four years but they have a wondrous midfield and superstars in Messi and Tevez. They have to figure out getting a good goalkeeper though.
Germany goes through on PKs 4-2 (1-1).
5 comments on “Germany through to WC semi-finals: But so do Balboa and O’Brien”
Thank God I am not the only one driven to distraction by Marcelo Balboa..HE IS CLUELESS! I don’t see how he gets all this cred, because he was by world standards, like LANDON ‘THE SAVIOUR’ DONOVAN…AVERAGE!!! I had kids in our club who played with him at the Youth World Cups I believe in China (85?) and Chile (87?)..when Yugoslavia won..they said the kid is big and brutal and not much else..just like his commentary today..lacking!
O’Brien and Balboa are a pair of absolute tits. Extraneous story-telling about nothing, completely out of pace with the game, god help us at one point O’brien started talking about the weather in Berlin. ESPN: HIRE THE GUYS FROM TELEMUNDO!
Conversely, I continue to be educated and entertained by Shourin Roy’s comments. You write great columns.
But I still feel like Pekerman should’ve kept the attack on. Then again who can blame him for wanting to preserve a 1-0 advantage with less than 10 minutes to go.
Was also baffled by the complete lack of goal-scorers in the Argentine substitution strategy. Pity about their goalie though, that would have rattled their nerves.
It’s better to watch on Univision, at least you’ll get the excitement, an deventually understand what a pelota is. ESPN commentators just suck.
Anyway, I’m unhappy to see Argentina again failing to reach semifinal. I would put the blame on Pekerman, he was indecisive, and did not even try Messi or Saviola, removed Requelme too soon. In the first half, 68% possession was with ARG, and so psychologically ARG should have been in positive mood. Instead, as soon as they scored, they transformed them into a defensive side losing all creativity. Pekerman forgot that the only advantage of the latin american teams over Euro teams is the creativity factor, that’s why Euro teams respect ARG and BRA so much. And he just removed that factor form the match, so surprising decision!!! Was Pekerman doing a favor to Germany ? I have never seen a match when a team keeps 68% possesion in the first half and then loses at the end. I guess, Pekerman and ARG had given too much importance and respect to Germany. I have some questions –
– What exactly happened to ARG goalie ?
– WHy Requelme was so tired in such a big match ? Why would he be replaced so soon ?
– Why was not Messi/Saviola tried ?
– Why was Tevez playing alone ?
– Why were not they passing the ball to Crespo, at least in two situations when he was in perfect place ?
I don’t know if Pekerman will ever read this blog, or he can read/understand English, but it’ll be interesting to know what was going in his mind.
Now, I fear that Brazil will be out, and we’ll have to see a Germany-England final finally, and probably England winning it by a Beckham goal, and Beckham becoming even a bigger hero….what a nightmare!!!
ARG never had the height advantage, even not Cruz, they had the technical advantage, and that’s how they kept the ball 68% of the time in the first half. Pekerman should have used his strength instead of trying to match Germany in physique. You do not substitute 5’4″ Maradona with some one like Cruz. Messi is closer to Maradona in terms of skill and creativity, and he should have played at least last 30/40 mins.
Perhaps Pekerman was hearing ESPN commentry and got scared of hearing 6’6″ 6’5″ many times, that was such a stupid and hurried decision from Pekerman.
Is Pekerman famous for his tactical moves ? Can someone find this info ?