Team : Argentina
Nickname: La Albiceleste (White and Sky blue)
Fifa Ranking: 7
Head Coach: Diego Maradona
Considered by many to be the finest footballer ever, Diego Maradona now has the opportunity to repeat as a coach his finest achievement as a player. Straight-talking, impulsive and a born competitor, Maradona retains the aura that made him such a revered figure during his playing days.
Group:
The Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ has pitted two-time winners Argentina against Nigeria, Korea Republic and Greece in Group B
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Squad Preview:
Though with few surprises such as omission of veterans Cambiasso and Zanetti Diego’s squad looks rock solid with star players such as Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Maxi Rodriguez and Mascherano. Also with the Champions League winner Diego Milito in their squad Argentina are one of the favorites to lift the cup.
Argentina have the most talented squad along with Spain with the likes of Aguero, Higuain, De Maria grabbing eyeballs. It will be interesting to see the combination Maradona uses, certainly an attacking formation.
Argentina’s 23-man World Cup squad in full
Goalkeepers | - |
Sergio Romero | AZ Alkmaar (NED) |
Mariano Andújar | Catania (ITA) |
Diego Pozo | Colon |
Defenders | - |
Nicolás Otamendi | Velez Sarsfield |
Gabriel Heinze | Marseille (FRA) |
Martín Demichelis | Bayern Munich (GER) |
Walter Samuel | Inter (ITA) |
Ariel Garcé | Colón |
Nicolás Burdisso | Roma (ITA) |
Clemente Rodríguez | Estudiantes |
Midfielders | - |
Juan Sebastian Verón | Estudiantes |
Javier Mascherano | Liverpool (ENG) |
Jonás Gutiérrez | Newcastle (ENG) |
Ángel Di María | Benfica (POR) |
Maximiliano Rodríguez | Liverpool (ENG) |
Javier Pastore | Palermo (ITA) |
Mario Bolatti | Fiorentina (TA) |
Forwards | - |
Lionel Messi | Barcelona (ESP) |
Gonzalo Higuaín | Real Madrid (ESP) |
Carlos Tévez | Manchester City (ENG) |
Sergio Agüerio | Atlético Madrid (ESP) |
Diego Milito | Inter (ITA) |
Martín Palermo | Boca Juniors |
Expected Lineup:
1.Sergio Romero(GK)
2.Gabriel Heinze(LB)
3.Walter Samuel(CB)
4.Martin Demichelis(CB)
5.Nicolas Burdisso(RB)
6.Angel Di Maria(LAM)
7.Javier Mascherano(CM)
8.Juan Sebastian Veron(CM)
9.Carlos Tevez(RAM)
10.Lionel Messi(LF)
11.Sergio Aguero(RF)
Chances:
Despite their inconsistent showing in South American qualifying, the potential of Diego Maradona’s squad remains vast given the plethora of world-class talents at his disposal. The greatest challenge for this relatively inexperienced coach will be knitting these proven individuals into a cohesive and reliable unit, something he has been unable to do thus far. That said, La Albiceleste’s big names and status as former winners make them favourites to top the group. Argentina are travelling to South Africa with serious designs on winning the title for the first time in 24 years.