The new Argentina or is it the old? Palermo is Maradona’s choice
Jesus Datolo of Olympiakos always dangerous down the left was dropped providing another talking point. Maradona drained the squad of the Argentine Liga and now the 23 man squad sports a very distinct European look.
Maradona is telegraphing his priorities, with six inclusions on his strike force rather than the usual four. It is shootout at the fantasy factory.
Diego Milito’s call up is vindication of his outstanding season. Martin Palermo is one exception. The veteran Boca striker is the beneficiary it appears of Maradona’s inability to break from the past. At 36 years, with bad knees, and tainted with the history of three missed penalties, the most in an international match, this will be his first World Cup.
The midfield looks a bit rag tag with Javier Pastore minus a single cap alongside the experienced Juan Sebastian Veron. A trio of Premiership players, the hardworking Maxi Rodriguez, Maradona’s favourite Jonas Gutierrez, and tackler in chief Javier Mascherano have been included.
Argentina’s defense is its Achilles heel.
Gabriel Heinze at left back for Javier Zanetti is hard to swallow. Heinze just concluded a good season at Marseille but when you match both head to head, he is a poor second. over the years, Maradona has kept faith in him. Walter Samuel pairs up with an error prone Martin Demichelis on central defense. Nicholas Burdisso will be the first choice at right back. The back ups are all from the Liga and with 20 caps between them, have relatively little experience. Compared to their northern neighbours, the Argentine defense is undersized and lightweight in talent.
Apart from Javier Zanetti, Maradona also excluded Esteban Cambiasso. Both will be present in the Inter vs Bayern Champions League final and if they shine, their exclusion from the national squad will be subjected to even more debate. Daniel Diaz, Fernando Gago, Ever Banega, Pablo Aimar, Lucho Gonzalez, and Lisandro Lopez are also notable absentees.
23 man Argentina squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar/NED), Mariano Andujar (Catania/ITA), Diego Pozo (Colon/ ARG)
Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield/ARG), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille/FRA), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich/GER), Walter Samuel (Inter/ITA), Ariel Garce (Colon/ARG), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma/ITA), Clemente Rodríguez (Estudiantes/ARG)
Midfielders: Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes/ARG), Javier Mascherano Liverpool (ENG), Jonas Gutierrez Newcastle (ENG), Angel Di Maria Benfica (POR), Maximiliano Rodriguez Liverpool (ENG), Javier Pastore Palermo (ITA), Mario Bolatti Fiorentina (TA)
Forwards : Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid/ESP), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City/ENG), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Diego Milito (Inter/ITA), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors/ARG)