International Comment: Argentina-Portugal Is So Much More Than The Messi & Ronaldo Show
As the clash in Geneva between Argentina and Portugal draws ever closer, two names have dominated headlines: Barcelona's Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal. The two players widely considered as the world's current best have seen their 'rivalry' hyped up by coaches, players and the press alike, and this rare international meeting has sent Argentina and Portuguese writers into overdrive as they make the case for why their native son is worthy of the title 'The Greatest'.
To focus on these two admittedly immensely gifted individuals however is to do a disservice to the 20 other players who will take the field this evening in the colours of their nation. Moreover it threatens to overshadow a match which could prove crucial to both Argentina and Portugal in gauging how far their teams have progressed after World Cup disappointment, and whether their fans can expect success in the competitive fixtures which have begun to lurk menacingly on the horizon.
Argentina's justification for focusing on their diminutive genius looks rather more concrete, as for the first time ever on the international stage Messi will line up in the centre of attack, right in the thick of the action. The absences of Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez and Diego Milito have forced coach Sergio Batista to finally implement his master plan for the 'Seleccion'.
Instead of watching the play funnel past him as he stands out on the wing, or being forced to forage for possession near the halfway line, Messi will start the match at number nine and be expected to be the cornerstone of his side's attacking threat. In this way 'Checho' hopes to utilise his ace of spades in the same way that Barcelona do so effectively week in, week out, and at a stroke correct the anomaly that has seen the goal machine notch just 15 strikes in 53 caps. Not a disgraceful figure, but well under the goal every one and a half games he averages in Spain.
No comments:
Post a Comment