Argentina squad vs. Egypt

And I might add that although I’ve been unable to catch Napoli this season (they’ve only been on C5 once or twice and I’ve been away for the weekend every time), all the reports I’ve read on Lavezzi seem to consist of translations of the Italian press absolutely drooling over him. He is, by all accounts, a far more complete player now than the highly skilled but slightly selfish one who was at San Lorenzo last year.

Basile’s chosen a squad based on the players he thinks are in form – hence Cavenaghi’s first call-up, Lucho’s recall (not that, in my opinion, Lucho should ever have been dropped in the first place) and Julio Cruz’s inclusion. The biggest encouragement has to be his recognition that Argentina need to find a way to play that doesn’t involve JRR (or, for that matter, Messi). I wouldn’t expect Lavezzi to be the answer to that, but it’ll be interesting to see how it goes.

David, you’ve just told me about the London match. I don’t tend to pay any attention to international fixtures until the one before it is out the way, I must admit, unless there are two within a few days of each other.

And I’d have thought that without Riquelme, we can expect either Kun (Agüero) or Lavezzi to drop deep and play as more of a traditional 10, presumably with either Cruz or Cavenaghi a little further up the pitch. But I’m not Alfio Basile.

I’d have to disagree, Carla. Cambiasso doesn’t play (for the selección at least) in a position that he’ll win matches from, but he and Lucho were two of the most impressive performers at the last World Cup, and both have been superb this season for their clubs.

I don’t think Cambiasso will start, but Lucho is a great option for a wide-left midfielder who can also switch to the centre or the right if needed. And if you want ‘pecho frío’ [for non-Spanish readers that’s ‘cold chest’, or the habit of freezing in big games] for the national side, look at the man this friendly significantly won’t be including – take a bow, JRR…

He certainly didn’t David, but he wasn’t playing for Argentina in that one.

I like watching Riquelme – when he’s on top of his game. But when he’s not, any team whose tactical system is built around him (as Argentina were in the last World Cup) will struggle. And whilst I’ll admit the accusations that he always chokes big games aren’t entirely fair, I do think there’s a bit to them than pointing at González and Cambiasso.

Ultimately, of course, it’s a collective action, but with tactics so heavily built around bringing out the best in him as an individual, Riquelme’s in for more stick if it doesn’t work out – and to an extent, he should be.