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El diablo estuvo dando vueltas
Martes 27 de Junio de 2006 | 2:51 am
El diablo anduvo dando vueltas, pero fracasó una vez más. Flotaba en la ciudad en la que Goethe imaginó a Mefistófeles sacando vino de la nada en las mesas de la Auerbachs Keller (hechizando a un grupo de estudiantes que al despertar creían que había sucedido un milagro) la idea de que lo imposible, para el gran engañador, era conseguir que México derrotara a la Argentina.
Más todavía durante los 90 minutos, cuando los jugadores de La Volpe mejoraron sensiblemente lo hecho en el Mundial. Al mismo tiempo, entre los argentinos algunas respuestas individuales demasiado modestas confundían a los espectadores.
El “milagro” futbolístico de Leipzig amenazó al torneo. Pero al diablo le quemaron la cola Messi, Tevez y Aimar, los tardíos y, sin embargo, trascendentes cambios que vinieron a darle a la Selección de Pekerman un perfil decididamente ganador. Y la noche de la seductora ciudad de los pasajes que unen deliciosas plazas, la que daba un pasaje a cuartos, terminó como Dios manda…
No porque sea argentino, sino porque de vez en cuando el fútbol deja hacer a la justicia y nadie dudaba antes -ni dudó luego del partido- de la superioridad material de la Argentina. Aun en los pocos momentos complicados, cuando se estuvo en desventaja, al principio, y en un par de salvadas del Pato que fueron decisivas, la Argentina era más.
Menos que lo esperado, pero evidentemente un equipo de distinta categoría. Si hasta más de un suplente albiceleste sería titular en los verdes, mientras que, salvo Rafael Márquez, ningún mexicano de los actuales sacaría de su puesto a los muchachos de Pekerman.
No obstante estas apreciaciones, México demostró que tenía mucho más para dar. En términos tácticos y anímicos el equipo dio magníficas respuestas, jugó con aplomo, astucia, amparado en el paraguas del aceptado favoritismo argentino. Y para disuadir a cualquiera que imaginase a México apichonado, salió a pelear en el centro del ring y aplicó el primer golpe importante.
El mérito albiceleste fue la compostura, el buen estilo que, aun jugando nada más que regular, le permitió acomodar el partido a sus necesidades. Y tuvo más la pelota y fue más agresivo, no porque estuviera pugnando por el empate, lo cual había llegado con afortunada premura, sino para ganar el partido.
En eso se apoyaba la confianza que el equipo seguía provocando. Pero no se hacía la diferencia y los cambios (los ingresos de Messi y Tevez) se demoraban sin que pudiera entenderse por qué José quería seguir teniendo razón con Saviola y Crespo a cualquier precio o había imaginado un partido de 120 minutos. Afortunadamente, al decidirse, lo hizo con un plus muy valioso como Pablo Aimar. La película que se vio entonces pareció continuar la saga del partido con Serbia.

Posted from  Sweden

Izzy, that’s just another crappy Argentinian article, that blames the close match on poor play from the Argentinians instead of giving Mexico its due.

Although I admit that maybe one or two of the Argentinian’s subs would be starters for Mexico, saying that none of the Mexicans would start for Argentina is stupid. I bet you Pekerman would love to have Gringo Castro instead of any of his right side defenders, just to give you an example.

When anyone outside of Argentina reads that type of article, it only shows how conceited that team is, and why I always have a hard time rooting for them even if they are a Latin American team.

Something to keep in mind: Argentina has only won the world cup either in its country or when having Maradona… I have yet to see all those oh so incredible players doing something of merit (like reaching semi-finals) without him.

And I have the nagging feeling that the German speed will kill Argentina next Friday.

Posted from  United States

New rumour about a possible candidate to coach el Tri:

Jorge Campos.

Interesting… it would definitely continue the process started by LaVolpe, but the guy has not been a headcoach before.

Posted from  United States

It’s true what all you guys say..as a Mexican I always cheer for other good Latin American teams in the World Cup like Paraguay, Uruguay, even Ecuador. But, I have never and will never feel anything for Argentina (well perhaps if I hook with some attractive Argentine babe). These people really have a silly superiority complex. Their players, blogs and media think that they are the best team to play the game. I find it funny that they still think they played poorly against Mexico when in fact both teams were playting at 110% I dont know guys but I really wished I would able to root for them when they play Germany.Is it just me???

Posted from  United States

Rene, very nice answer to Izzy. I only would add (AGAIN!) to listen to what Batistuta, Bianchi, Redondo, Menotti, Valdano and Romano said about the Mexico-Argentina match.
You know, the good thing about this blog is that, somehow, it appears to be more objective. Take a dive into the Argentina, the Brazil or the Italian blogs, and you’ll see how most of them believe that rooting for a team means being blind. Just as that piece of garbage that Izzy posted here.

As for Campos coaching… well, in all honesty, I think he not only lacks the experience, as you pointed out, but he also lacks a coaching personality. He’s a nice guy but… is he a good leader, a good boss? No, I stick to Chucho Ramirez.

Posted from  Mexico

Enrique, go to tvazteca.com and you can hear what Menotti and Valdano said.

I’ll give you some pointers:

-Menotti said that the federation has to have a healthy analysis of this team. In his always philosophical manner, he said that in Mexico a lot of times instead of having the “ambulance and paramedics come to the rescue only vultures do”.

-Menotti also said that it is a lot easier to regress than to advance. After Ojitos Meza we are well aware of that. This is why I don’t want Tena or Trejo to be our next coach. I’m 95% sure they’d fail miserably.

-Valdano said that it took a while for Argentina to win a World Cup. After all their Copas Americas, they didn’t win the big one until 1978. He said that the last step is the most difficult one to do, and that’s what Mexico is trying to do right now.

-Valdano also said that we shouldn’t compare our team to the team that played five or ten games ago. We should ask ourselves, where were we five, ten years ago? Then decide what’s the best way to keep going forward.

Anyway. One big thing we need to find a way to improve: if we are not going to export strikers to Europe, find a way to let them play in Mexico. Most top scorers in our league are foreigners. We were able to watch the effects of this in Germany 2006.

Posted from  United States

Well You still very sored about the game that you did know how to win…then

Posted from  Sweden

Tarkaba: We botgh agree. I probably wasn´t clear enough when calling on the commentators points. Most argentinians want to believe that they did poorly against Mexico, instead of acknowledging that we actually outplayed them. But, when Argentinians as knowledgeable and trustworthy as Menotti, Valdano, and Bianchi give Mexico it’s due, then you realize wer’re somehow in the right tracks.
I totally agree with your last statement about strikers production

Posted from  Mexico

izzy, answer this question for me:

Doesn’t the equating the idea of mexico winning over Argentina as the work of the devil seem to you as the most arrogant thing anyone can say?

Are you trying to imply, that indeed, had Mexico won, it would have been an injustice? On what grounds? That would be equating that feat as Italy winning on a fake penalty call, for example, and it was not like that at all. Mexico played a good match, Mexico made Abondanzieri work for his money, Mexico made heinze look bad. Mexico did not wait for the Argentinians to attack and just defend, Mexico attacked too.

Heck, the more I read that article, the more I feel like rooting for the Germans, because it seems to me Argentinians have not learned the lesson from 4 years ago… that as good as the Argentinian players are, they are fallible as the rest of us and can be eliminated on the first round and not even make it to the best of 16.

Izzy, while I agree that most of us are still very sore over the loss but that’s not what annoys us. It’s many of the Argentinos refusal to give Mexico credit. Many of you have stated that it was merely the fact that Argentina played poorly and that’s why the game was so close. When in fact it was Mexico’s superior play that made Agentina look bad. Many of your own players have said the same. To get an honest opinion on the game you should try reading articles not writin by Argentinos or Mexicans. A great goal decided the game…not superior play. If you don’t believe it go back and watch Maradona’s face throughout the game. But that’s ok, you guys won and that’s all that matters.

Posted from  United States

Rene: I agree with you… I’ve always found it odd that no matter how hard I try I have trouble rooting for Argentina. While I always root for any other Latin American country. I’ll root for Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, whatever. I consider them cousins of sort. But I can’t because many of them feel superior which has been showcased through their articles and their posts.

Posted from  United States

Hi guys….just also wondering where to continue this sort of blog for further info and news seeing that you all know your shit and I definitely need to keep up with news from la liga Mexicana and other leagues where our players are at. Myspace does sound like an idea….

Posted from  United States

Greetings, I am still upset that Mexico lost AGAIN in the round of 16. I believe Mexico needs to have more players play in the European leagues in order to improve the players physche. Mexico’s biggest downside I believe is that they always have a difficult time against the teams they are supposed to beat (Angola). They always play down to there opponents level and always play up to the top teams as well. I too believe the future is very promising with the likes of Giovanni Dos Santos and the rest of the under 17 world cup champs beginning to participate in the national team’s A team. I would also love to see Mr. Javier Aguirre coach the national team again. I think this guy is a great coach and a great motivator. I also understand it is almost impossible to get him since he is about to start his new coaching stint with Atletico de Madrid. If not Aguirre why not Jesus Ramirez, who coached the under-17 team in the World Cup. Mr. Ramirez did an outstanding job with those young kids. In conclusion, I think the Lavolpe era was a failure, since we did not improve on previous World Cups. The only think I approve was the fact that LaVolpe discovered a lot of young gems (Salcido, Guardado, etc.). I think LaVolpe would be great as a coach in the Mexican lower age groups as a scout. Adios y Viva Mexico!!!

Posted from  United States

For those who were still second guessing Lavolpe for not taking Blanco with him, he said in an interview yesterday that he is still not a 100% from thar injury that had him sidelined a good chunk of the last tournament.

Think about it… Mexico would have been playing the round of 16 knowing Blanco would not be able to be much help because he was still injured.

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=454986

Hey, I just wanted to say I was really fedup ’bout what a guy (Josué[mmm...chicano?]) said…but still I want to stay objective and let you know my own personal opinion(s):

1.- Mexico had two fatidic and horrible games (out of the first three).
2.- Disregarding last point: Mexico made the game against Argentina, one in which the POTENTIAL power of the mexican team was evident…evident and (just one time) real.
3.- Mexico has been great on the last five WC it’s been:
*’86: 4ths round.
[*'90: Missed...'cos of cachirules:(]
*’94: 8ths.
*’98: 8ths.
*’02: 8ths.
*’06: 8ths.
Mmmm…I wonder: Was it just luck? I DON’T THINK SO.
4.- With exception of WC Mexico 1986, the team arrived labeled as a lowest quality one…and what happened?: In more than one WC Mexico played the fourth game as first of his group (Example? : ‘94 Mexico, Ireland, Norway, Italy; ‘02 Mexico, Italy, Croatia, Korea).
5.- Now, the reality is that Mexico has always done a great job on these 8th’s round games, but nothing more…Yes, every four years the team makes it difficult to the rival (argentina, italy, netherlands, croatia, bulgary…) but, sadly, what makes a team win is to score, and that has been Mexico’s lack.
6.- As hard as it gets for anyone, Mexican football is the best on CONCACAF since it exists. That doesn’t mean that Costa Rica, US and other nations’ football isn’t good; many times mexicans have been defeated by ticos, “americans”, trinitarios, etc etc…But mexico has won even more games against them. And mexican league teams,and other players? Well, let’s just remember Necaxa, America and Guadalajara on Continental and International Championships, Rafael Marquez on Champions League…While Saprissa KILLED LA Galaxy on the last continental championship.
7.- Yet, Mexico isn’t an allmighty god, and other concacaf (good) teams have defeated them, either because of a bad game, or because of luck.
8.- Here it comes…the facts: Mexico has been 13 times at a WC, has been a constant team for at least the last 16-20 years, and, until today, the ONLY CONCACAF team (awarded by FIFA with:)being Headgroup at WC…still has never won the Cup.

And talking about Mexicans-Argentinians, US-Mexicans…Well I guess everyone has to accept the great power Argentina has as a team, and as a group of individuals, but also that they aren’t flawless gods; everyone has to accept Mexico stays as the CONCACAF giant, but still has to continue to develop; everyone has to accept US has a promisory future, but it’s too early to consider them as a real power.

Posted from  Mexico

The thing about the Americans that I find funny, is how clueless their federation is.

They think that the local league (MLS) is good enough to provide the team with quality players to compete to win the World Cup, and that sending them to Europe is not necessary.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/specials/world_cup/2006/06/27/bc.soc.wcup.us.defending.ap/index.html

If that continues to be their point of view, it will take them quite a while before they are able to do anything important.

What Mexico and the US need to do is enter more international club competitions like the Libertadores. The Libertadores has helped Mexico a lot and would allow MLS players to have a higher level of competition every year.

Posted from  United States

No se aguiten cabrones que sabemos que Mexico es un Gigante. No podemos ser campeones de la noche a la manana ni tampoco ganar un mundial de chiripa. Sabemos que se necesita talento y eso si lo tenemos chingada madre. Siempre estamos en los mejores 16 y la cagamos en la segunda ronda. Eso es senal de que vamos por buen camino. Nuestra selecion es chingona y poco a poquito esta avansando. Si se puede y los vamos a lograr mas pronto que se imaginan. Vamos Mexico!!!! - I find this comment extremely funny. It says that “mexico can’t be champions overnight”. My friend, it’s been many many many nights. Mexico has been playing for years but they never get anywhere. When it comes to playing with other countries, Mexico is second rate. About the U.S. team, it’s true that the team is no good, but for those of you bashing it while you’re living in this country that feeds you and clothe you, you need to be ashamed. If your loyalty lies with another country, go to it and live there.

Posted from  United States

No soy chicano tampoco. Soy nacido en los Estados Unidos de padres latinos o hispanos como sea tu preferencia, lo que no soy es Mexicano. Y buenos puntos R2D2 de lo que es la liga mexicana y sus jugadores, pero ya se tiene que realizar esto- México será los gigantes de la Concacaf para equipos como Honduras o Nicaragua, pero para los Estados Unidos, la única forma de ganarnos es por la altura y la atmósfera (polución del DF) del estadio azteca. Cualquier otro lugar en este mundo, incluyendo tu propio México, se vera que los Estados Unidos saldrán triunfadores. De esto estoy seguro. Veras, el tiempo de mexico como los unicos de la concacaf se ha terminado. Punto y final. Ojalá no le pase a Salcido lo que le paso a Borghetti en INglaterra.

Josué OUT.

Posted from  United States

Josue:

FYI: Mexico’s U-23 left the U.S. out of the Olympics, Landon Donovan and all without playing in Mexico City.

That was the time when Landon peed on Estadio Jalisco’s field. That guy has absolutely no class.

Diana:

If you equate bashing the U.S. soccer team as bashing the country, then you are as misguided as some of my Mexican colleagues are. This is just a game. You need to relax and enjoy it. You also should think about this for a second:

Do you think Spain, Netherlands, Portugal are good teams? If you do, can you tell me how many championships have they won? You need to realize that becoming a champion in soccer takes an incredible amount of time. Look at Argentina as an example… they started playing since the first world cup back in 1930, and it took them until 1978, at home field, to win a championship, even though they had players like Di Stefano, Pedernera, etc. playing for them.

The way I see it, The U.S. is at the state of development Mexico had back in Chile 1962… we where able to beat a few class B teams, but were not ready to compete against the big boys. I assure you that had Mexico played against the Czech republic, they would have not lost the match by 3 goals, because they have kept their development going by going to Copas America and Libertadores. The U.S. needs to do that too if the team is to become world class. Relyin on the MLS that much is not healthy, since the league does not have the level of quality required.

It is going to be interesting to see how well the U.S. matches against Mexico now that Arena is most likely out. There are always certain coaches with certain players that know how to play a specific team, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are better once they leave.

Only time will tell.

Posted from  United States

Rene, the World Cup is not just a game, it’s THEEEEE game, I’m just of the mind-set that you root for the country you were born in, but to each his own, thank you for your comments. As far as Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, I think they all played well this world cup. I know that only 7 countries have won the World Cup and they are not among them. I’m only waiting to see what happens Saturday with France and Brasil, if France wins (heaven forbid)I don’t care what happens or who wins after that : o )

Posted from  United States

“About the U.S. team, it’s true that the team is no good, but for those of you bashing it while you’re living in this country that feeds you and clothe you, you need to be ashamed. If your loyalty lies with another country, go to it and live there”….. Diana, relax, baby…no one is bashing the U.S team. Mexico and U.S.A are my teams. In fact, we Latino’s call the U.S.A. el equipo de todos “everyones team”. I have yet to meet someone who thinks otherwise.

Posted from  United States

short and ugly…maybe, but i am sure mexico gave argentina a great fight which probably the united states wouldn’t have been capable of…leave the mexicans alone…

Posted from  United States

Diana, relax, baby…no one is bashing the U.S team. Mexico and U.S.A are my teams. In fact, we Latino’s call the U.S.A. el equipo de todos “everyones team”. I have yet to meet someone who thinks otherwise.

Pant, pant, pant, gasp, puff…..I know, I get overly excited. U.S. & Brasil are my teams, U.S. being first : o )

Posted from  United States

Oh what a surprise Diana, Brazil.

Pffft.

Chaquetera.

Posted from  United States