A new leaf

A disappointing end to a tournament which had started so well; the international resignation of the captain; the need to start again with hope, to overcome the frustration of once again failing to end a trophy drought that’s been going since 1993. It all sounds so familiar to Argentine fans, but one year on from the World Cup, the process of rebuilding begun all over again following that Copa América final defeat. Alfio Basile has named his first squad since that defeat, to take on Norway later in the month. There are no places for Gabriel Heinze or, more surprisingly, Roberto Abbondanzieri…

There’s cause for a smile on the faces of selección fans, though. Added to the Copa América’s most entertaining (if ultimately trophy-less) side are two brilliant attacking talents: Javier Saviola and, back from almost a whole season lost to injury, Maxi Rodríguez, the man who hit that almost pornographic volley to win the World Cup second round tie against Mexico last year. The match will be played on the 22nd August in Oslo.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers:
Juan Pablo Carrizo (Lazio, Italy)
Oscar Ustari (Getafe, Spain)
Sergio Romero (AZ Almaar, Netherlands)

Defenders:
Gabriel Milito (Barcelona, Spain)
Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruña, Spain)
Javier Zanetti (Internazionale, Italy)
Nicolás Burdisso (Internazionale)
Daniel Díaz (Getafe)
Ezequiel Garay (Racing Santander, Spain)

Midfielders:
Luís González (Porto, Portugal)
Maximiliano Rodríguez (Atlético Madrid, Spain)
José Sosa (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Javier Mascherano (Liverpool, England)
Fernando Gago (Real Madrid, Spain)
Christian Ledesma (Olympiakos, Greece)
Federico Insúa (Club América, Mexico)

Forwards:
Diego Milito (Real Zaragoza, Spain)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli, Italy)
Javier Saviola (Real Madrid)

Lavezzi’s recent move to Europe has been quickly followed by his first call-up to the national side, whilst Ledesma’s return to the ‘old continent’ has helped his reinclusion. Also returning are Díaz, Garay, Coloccini, Sosa and Insúa. As well as Heinze and Abbondanzieri, others who’ve been left out are Esteban Cambiasso, Hernán Crespo (both presumably to avoid annoying Inter too much since two of their players have already been called up), and Carlos Tevez, who’s not had a club to train with for a while, for some reason…Following the friendly with Norway, Argentina’s next match will be against Australia on the 11th September, in Melbourne. The World Cup 2010 Qualifiers start on the 14th October against Chile in the Monumental, and on the 17th away to Venezuela. Qualifiers at home to Bolivia (17th November) and away to Colombia (20th November) will close the year.