With less than four months remaining until the opening match of the 2006 World Cup, José Pekerman is evidently in a race against time. The Argentine national team boss is yet to determine the most important part of his squad: the attack.
Some may think his job can’t be too difficult when you take into account the wealth of talent that he has at his disposal. But the fact that Pekerman is likely to select only five strikers from a possible 14 candidates makes the job significantly harder. The manager’s list, in preferential order, goes something like this:
Hernán Crespo (Chelsea), Carlos Tévez (Corinthians), Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Julio Cruz (Inter Milan), Diego Milito (Real Zaragoza), Javier Saviola (Sevilla), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors), Sergio Aguero (Independiente), Luciano Figueroa (River Plate), César Delgado (Cruz Azul), Luciano Galletti (Atlético Madrid), Lucas Castromán (Vélez Sarsfield), Lisandro Lopez (FC Porto) and Mariano Gonzalez (Palermo).
Clearly Pekerman will have a headache or two before selecting the squad, especially after the ’02 World Cup catastrophe Argentina experienced under Marcelo Bielsa, who was criticized for selecting an under-strength forward line that included a 35-year-old Claudio Caniggia.
But since taking over the reigns, Pekerman has had plenty of time to observe his most consistent strikers. He has already fielded more than 50 players in a year’s time, and it seems he is not far from finding the ideal blend.
Pekerman has already made clear that Crespo and Tévez will feature in Germany — based on their recent form, it’s hard to argue with that attacking partnership, even though they have yet to appear convincing when playing together. Teenage prodigy Messi has become an instrumental part of the squad and is also guaranteed a spot, meaning there are just two places available for the remaining 11 attackers. But Pekerman, who can get carried away at times, may gamble in adding a sixth striker.
Here’s a rundown of the remaining candidates:
Diego Milito: The Real Zaragoza marksman has seen some international fame after putting an incredible four goals past Iker Casillas as his club slaughtered Real Madrid 6-1 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals last week. But this was no fluke — Milito has proven he is a world-class striker and has what it takes to secure a spot in the squad.
Since moving to Spain from Genoa this season, he has scored a combined 17 goals in La Liga and the Copa del Rey, becoming the revelation of the season. Although he has only earned one cap with Pekerman, it will be impossible for the national team boss to exclude him if he continues this kind of form.
“Right now, Diego Milito is the best Argentine striker after Crespo,” Pekerman said in January, rewarding the talented striker with a call-up for the March 1 friendly match against Croatia in Basel, Switzerland.
Julio Cruz: After two quiet seasons at Inter Milan, the 6-foot-1 target man has shown his true potential this season. He has found the back of the net on 11 occasions in Serie A and Champions League play this season, and although he has had to play second fiddle to Brazilian superstar Adriano, he has become one of the most sought-after strikers in European soccer. “The Gardener” is an ambitious center-forward who has a lethal shot, as well as aerial strength that will come in handy for Argentina when it’s up against towering defenses such as that of the Dutch.
Javier Saviola: The 5-foot-5, 132-pound former Barcelona star has yet to impress for new club, Sevilla, having only scored on five occasions in combined league and cup competitions. Although his form has let him down of late, he has consistently been one of Pekerman’s preferred strikers, having been part of several successful youth sides before making it to the senior team. “The Rabbit” is a nippy striker who, when at his best, can be a handful for some of the world’s best defenders. It will be a surprise if he doesn’t make the World Cup squad.
Rodrigo Palacio: Over the past two seasons, the Boca marksman has proven to be the most consistent striker in the Argentine First Division. He scored 20 times last season and has already found the back of the net twice in this year’s Clausura. Palacio is able to get past defenders with relative ease and was recently praised by Pekerman for his efforts. Having helped Boca Juniors to several prestigious titles in his first year at the club, he has matured quickly and could be a key addition to Argentina’s squad, especially if his effectiveness in front of the goal continues.
Sergio Aguero: The Independiente striker is undoubtedly the greatest talent in Argentine soccer, having been blessed with incredible dribbling skills, superb vision and a ferocious shot. In recent interviews with the Argentine press, Pekerman has stated he has Aguero under close watch, but it is much too early to determine whether he’ll make the final cut. Aguero is likely to form a key part of the senior national team in the near future, but the fact that he is only 17 and has no international experience may play a part in his staying home this summer.
Luciano Figueroa: After spending two unproductive seasons in Spain with Villarreal, he jumped at a move back to Argentina, but preferred Buenos Aires glamour club River Plate over former club Rosario Central. Figueroa recognizes that being at the Millionarios guarantees extensive media exposure and his efforts will be on display for Pekerman to see.
But things didn’t go exactly to plan until last Sunday, when he scored his first goal of the season in a win against Banfield, earning himself the man of the match award. Something in his favor is his good relationship with the national-team boss, but although he has scored an impressive nine times in 19 outings for the Albicelestes, he wasn’t picked for Argentina’s final four World Cup Qualifiers.
César Delgado: Since his debut for Argentina back in ’03, he has become an integral part of the squad. Strangely, he has been selected continually even though he plays his club soccer not in the elite leagues of Europe, but in Mexico. His good showing in the ’04 Athens Olympics further cemented his place, but other than starting in Argentina’s final World Cup qualifier against Uruguay last October, he has been restricted to bench appearances.
Delgado is a quick player who usually takes an extreme right attacker position for Argentina. One of his most notable characteristics is his tendency to slice through defenses with a startlingly direct approach. Although he doesn’t attract as much publicity as many of Argentina’s more illustrious strikers, he could be a World Cup wild card.
Luciano Galletti: The former Real Zaragoza ace hasn’t been able to translate his past success at his new club, Atlético Madrid — he has scored only twice in all competitions so far this season. That plus lingering injuries over the past six months are likely to reduce his chances of being selected, although he did play an important part in the World Cup qualifiers. Galletti can play both as a striker and in midfield, which makes him a valuable addition to the squad. But first he must secure a permanent position in Atlético’s starting lineup if he wants to be taken into consideration.
Lucas Castromán: He was an inspiration in ’05 as his club, Vélez Sarsfield, won Argentina’s Clausura Championship. But during the second half of the year, when it seemed that an intern
ational call-up was inevitable, he fractured his left ankle and had to sit out the remainder of the season. The long layoff looked to have drastically reduced his chances of World Cup selection, but this year a fully recovered Castromán has proven that he hasn’t lost his magic touch. He has been in exhilarating form, including a magnificent long-distance strike to help his club to victory in a Copa Libertadores match on Tuesday night.
In a recent interview Castromán said, “I’m starting a new stage, and there is time to make the World Cup squad. I feel that I have the same possibilities as I did a few months ago, although other players are at a good level. Until the final World Cup list is not given, I see myself with chances.”
Lisandro Lopez and Mariano Gonzalez have also been in the national-team fold and have an outside chance of being selected. But in addition to having to play outstanding soccer, they may have to hope that injuries hit other potential squad members in order to get a chance. It’s unlikely Pekerman will include them in his final 23-man squad, but with still a few months remaining before the commencement of the tournament, they still have an outside shot.
Gregory Sica
Loading ...
Leave a Reply