It happens to the best…
By: Scott | August 27th, 2007A tough, tough loss on Saturday night at home against the best team in Argentina at the moment, Independiente. A couple of important things happened during the week, namely that Nicolas Navarro, the keeper and the most consistent performer on the squad, hurt a part of his leg (the adjuctor…I am not a medical doctor, so I will leave it at “part of his leg”), which affected his mobility and kicking. Also, Sergio Escudero, the lanky left back who makes Peter Crouch look like Rosie O’Donnell, got into a bit of a scrum with one of the reserves and was suspended by the team. Which is fine. A team needs discipline. The bad part, however, is that there is no LB to replace him. Lombardi’s solution was to move Alvaro Pereira from his normal left wing position to the slot in the defense.
This decision has its merits and drawbacks and warrants further discussion. Pereira is the most dynamic player on the team, the fastest, best on the ball, etc. and they need him to be involved as much as possible. He is also the most talented soccer player on the field and the most adept at adjusting to position changes. His nature is to move forward and participate in the attack, which occasionally left the central defenders scrambling, but he always returned to make up for his mistake and get the ball back in Argentinos’ favor. Except for one time. Montenegro stripped him clean, cleared Denis with a long ball and set him up for the lone goal of the match. That was a disappointment, but Alvaro’s hustle and determination for 90+ minutes is the only positive to be taken away from this match. He is to be appreciated.
Normally, the ball played from midfield into the box would be picked up or cleared by the keeper , but Navarro was unable to fulfill that function due to his adjuctor injury…which begs the question “WHY IS HE IN THE MATCH THEN???” The goal was Independiente’s only shot on target, so Lord knows how weakened his skills were. If the keeper is injured during the week and cannot clear a simple ball in the box, then he should not be on the field. I do not care who the backup is. It’s that simple. It cost Argentinos one point and kept Independiente perfect on the season. That, by the way, is the first time Independiente has won in Argentinos’ stadium in the past six years. Playing in La Paternal is not easy for any opponent, so giving points away is not a pleasant experience.
Other matters that need to be addressed are the fact that of the 14 transfers that were brought in between June and today, there is not a single player who can adequately play right wing. That third of the field has been dead for four matches now. The various replacements have been adequate defensively, which is their saving grace.
Additionally, 90% of the offensive gameplan was to put the ball on Delorte’s chest and…see what happens (a plan whose effectiveness I hinted at questioning in this post (I know, it was only one post ago and it is the only other post in the blog so far, but a link helps everyone). See, in last two matches that plan worked occasionally because it was mixed with other methods of moving the ball–mostly with short, sharp, and directed passes by Pereira. Needless to say, Independiente always had a man to mark him and this strategy was rendered entirely ineffective.
Finally, this nation must turn its lonely eyes to Ortigoza. Néstor, I have stood up strong and defended you many times in the past. But there is no doubt or turning back now: you have no place on the field. You were lost, confused, and desperate at every moment of the match. You lost at least 50% of the balls at your feet and your passes were dull, unimaginitive, and often to the other team. You have to go. Gonzalo Prósperi is a more-than-adequate replacement. Take your Cromagnonesque frame to the bench or, better yet, to the reserves, and let the big boys play. I love your spunk and grit, but perhaps you could be spunky and gritty filing papers or replacing light sockets. Seriously, your sins on Saturday are unforgivable. Give up and go away.
The next match is on Wednesday night against Huracán. It will be tough, and this time we hope to have a preview available for people to apreciate exactly what is going to happen. Thanks for reading.
Category: Summary
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