For once, an Argentine forward who isn’t Lio Messi has been making headlines in Europe. Of course, that may be because Barcelona don’t play until tomorrow. But anyway.
Carlos Tevez wasn’t exactly unpopular with Manchester United followers before today, but if there were any doubts, they’ve been erased now. Tevez scored a magnificent goal and was man of the match as United, who’ve struggled to replicate last season’s form until today, thrashed Wigan Athletic 4-0 at Old Trafford to go top of the Premier League.
Internazionale, meanwhile, won again in Serie A, and it was the worst of their many, many Argentines who made the difference against Napoli, where one Ezequiel Lavezzi started. Inter won 2-1, with Cruz scoring both goals for the hosts as they moved to the top as well. Javier Zanetti, Walter Samuel and Esteban Cambiasso all started for Inter.
Tomorrow, Messi’s certain to be back in the papers, as he takes on Sergio Agüero’s Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou in what the Spanish press have referred to as ‘the clash of the New Maradonas’. This comes two days after Messi became, on Friday, the first Argentine ever to be named in a FIFPro World XI, after Kaka won the third player of the year award from the organisation, which set its award (voted for by all members of the professional players’ union around the world) up in 2005. Next up – the Balon d’Or. Can Messi overtake Kaka in the running? Time will tell…
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Supposedly, Samuel’s been playing well lately. I haven’t actually seen proof of this with my very own eyes, so I’m a bit suspicious – is it true he’s actually regaining form?
(I’ve taken over operations at the Argentina World Cup Blog, by the way. :D
I’d noticed that, Linda. Do feel free to plug HEGS as often as you like (and thanks for the one you’ve already given us).
As for Samuel, I shall have to leave Ursus to tell us. I’ve not been watching very much but Spanish football for the last few weeks (but making up for that by the fact that most of it’s been from the stands)…
Samuel has indeed stepped up considerably just when Inter have needed him, as the Materazzi injury and a wave of suspensions (both domestically and the European fall-out from the madness at the Mestalla) have left the nerazzuri very thin at the back.
That said, he isn’t yet back to his Roma standard and can still be counted on to make at least one ridiculously rash challenge a match. Looking at things through albiceleste spectacles, it is hard to argue that he deserves a place in the starting XI, but I do think he merits consideration for the squad, given his apparent recovery from what was close to three years out of form.
The best Argentine on the “Argentina B” team that plays at the Meazza, however, continues to be Javier Zanetti. Pekerman should be forced to watch tapes of Inter matches at least five times a week.
And the guy to be concerned about is Cambiasso, who has had exactly one good game all season. I blame the haircut.
Re Cambiasso: well, he looks much better, at least…
Jokes aside, thank you for the info! And I completely agree with you about Zanetti. What a travesty that decision was.
If you ask me, the worst haircut has to be Crespo’s. Only Coloccini (who I saw yesterday for Deportivo at Sevilla – more of that later) and Messi are now left flying the flag for really rubbish long hair in the selección. Sorín needs to get to form quickly.
Now here’s an interesting thing. Apparently the 18 names already given weren’t the whole squad – seven domestic-based players have been added on Sunday, including Señor Denis. More later, I have to grab lunch.
Gabi Milito is still trying to rock the drowned rat with Jheri curls look, but I think he needs extensions.
Crespo seem to be letting his grow out a bit.
Will you be telling us about the hex you put on Kanoute yesterday? It was you, wasn’t it?
Certainly wasn’t, Ursus, if I go to a game as a neutral I like to see the home side win. But quite how Kanoute failed to score I’m not sure. I wasn’t the only one screaming at him. And when Sevilla’s fans scream, they really make a right bloody racket…