Posts tagged Argentina

-Was it a surprising end result?

No, Argentina was better than us, especially in the first half and, from there, we wanted to but wasn’t able to mark the distance. But the victory was fair and deserved.

-This is the selection of the world champions?

Yes, we have come with all the players who are within the normal team and it’s true that we had a very uncomfortable start to the game. They were well placed, we left spaces… We had dignity to lose, we didn’t deliver, we had the courage to try to get more goals.

-Why didn’t you put the regular team to start?

This is very debatable. It’s true but we have a team of players who also have to be encouraged, we need to include them because all the players in the group needs to participate to stand united. But there’s no excuse for changes haven’t been as significant, who are also from the selection. One must keep in mind that we are in the start of the season, and we try not to hurt the players ahead of their clubs. The Champions League is coming and we must know how to control this issue. We can’t play with the same team of players every day.

-Do you think the result damaged the image out of the World Champions?

No, honestly I don’t think so. Argentina played well, with good organization, we have been caught with spaces. One must praise them and we will not be discredited, we didn’t damage our image and sometimes decisions never go in that direction.

-Argentina knew how to play well or Spain played very badly?

They were very together, very folded but we have had many chances to score, even to reverse the result. I don’t know if it overestimates the work of the team but we had chances to get closer to the final result.

-What do you think about Pedro?

In the second half he changed the face of the team… It’s very difficult to get into that analysis of the first and the second half. The second approach becomes more open, draw back, need penetrate more. They are two different times, from Reina’s slip, as can happen to any midfielder or forward, we are all guilty of defeat.

-What conclusions are drawn from the friendly?

Maintaining the contact and keep progressing. The losses hurt but at the same time should be beneficial for the team. These games of contrast are important. We need to know how to play weak teams and strong the same way.

As you know I wasn’t here live-blogging the game yesterday, unfortunately I missed it because of some personal reasons. I heard it was a disappointing first half though the boys tried to turn it around in the second half. However win or lose their still the world champions. Here’s the summary of the game:

Full-time: Argentina 4 - 1 Spain 

Goals:

• 1-0 (11’) Messi scored with an assist from Tevez 
• 2-0 (13’) Higuain scored with an assist from Tevez.
• 3-0 (31’) Reina, slips while trying to clear the ball. Tevez pursues him and scores.
• 3-1 (81’) Llorente scored with an assist from Pedro.
• 4-1 (90’) Agüero scored.

Line-ups:

• Argentina: Romero; Zanetti, De Michelis, G. Milito Heinze, Mascherano, Banega, Cambiasso, Tevez (De Maria, 60’), Higuain (Aguero, 68’) and Messi (D’Alessandro, 86’).
• Spain: Reina (Valdés, 46’), Arbeloa, Pique, Marchena, Monreal, Busquets, Xabi Alonso (Pedro, 71’), Iniesta (Cazorla, 46’), Silva (Navas, 46’), Cesc (Xavi, 56’) and Villa (Llorente, 46’).

A few hours from now we’ll witness one of the most interesting matches of the year, and today the Spanish football team welcomes the Prince of Asturias Award for Sport 2010. 

Schedule for today:

• 10.00 am - Breakfast
• 12.30 pm - Lunch and afterwards a siesta (nap)
• 03.15 pm - Leaving to El Monumental de River 
• 05.00 pm - The games begins (10pm in Spain)
• After the game the coach will give a press conference and then the team will catch a bus that takes them to Ezeiza Airport.
• 09.30 pm - Travel back to Spain
• The players are expected to land at Barajas Airport about 2.25pm Wednesday. From there, each of them  will return to their respective cities and respective clubs.

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, president of Argentina invited the national team to a reception at the Casa Rosada. During the ceremony, the President paid tribute to them on behalf of all Argentines. Angel Maria Villar, meanwhile, has given her an autographed jersey and a plaque commemorating the visit of Spain to mark the bicentenary.

The President welcomed the world champions to Argentina and greeted them one by one. After welcoming the team, the President said “I felt a little jealous to see them win the World Cup but was delighted because Spain is a country very dear to us. We wanted to make a tribute on behalf of all Argentines”.

One of the more relaxed moments was when Vicente del Bosque recieved a message from the Presidents son, congratulating him on aligning the Barcelona players at the World Cup. Her son, is a faithful follower of Barcelona and so the coach responded with a smile. 

The President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation gave the president a plaque commemorating the visit of Spain to Argentina in the year of the Bicentennial. In addition, he has given the President a shirt signed by all players. 

(via fleurdelamadrid:pjeanh)

So finally our dreams are coming true, the boys seem to be in a very generous mood awarding us a lot of pictures! well no complains there.

First they tweeted from la bombonera

@aarbeloa17 said: “Ready to train at the Bombonera. With @ XabiAlonso here 12 Boca :D” 

Cescky took a picture with Iniesta and said: “Here with @ andresiniesta8 before training at the stadium in La Bombonera, a great experience!”

Sergio was a little selfish and posted a picture of just him. but hey i’m not complaining, this is much better than the state he was in (im talking about not tweeting much). He said: “Here I leave the photo in the sweet box with the 12 and goodnight kisses”

and now their tweeting from the Monumental de River. 

@SergioRamos said: “Today I command the field of river which is where we train now.. besos”

So Sergio with the same pose, what do you think? i think it getting a little boring now!

Cesc posted a picture of himself, maybe nobody agreed to pose with him? Or is he influenced by Sergio? I wonder where Pique was? Maybe he’s the one who took the picture, eh?
@cesc4official said: “In the River plate monumental. Awesome!”

@aarbeloa17 said he’ll tweet a picture soon. So await mi amigos! 

09/06/2010

Andres, does the ease with which the coach calling the Spanish league players is a plus? Iker, does the selection continue to maintain the rhythm after success?
Iniesta: on the whole group of us here, we carry a long time together and that makes this work. There have been some changes regarding the Euro, but the fact that we play in the same league and others that come from outside contributes.

Iker: The mentality has to be different. The past is past. We must start well in qualifying, and what we have achieved before, is now part of the past. The selection is always going to require the maximum to be in the finals of Euro.

What importance do you give to play against Argentina at the Monumental? And to face Messi?
Iker: coming here is a pleasure and it’s going to be a great game. We knew we were coming from far, despite the trip, which is novel in our case because we traveled to Argentina for the first time. We are talking about two world champion teams with great players and entertainment will be served. Everyone likes to see them and we are delighted to play a game like this.

Iniesta: on Messi, I’d rather have him as a teammate, but we face two teams with good players and hopefully we’ll see a good game that people can enjoy it.

Read more …