Game Three

Most satisfying game!

1. Perfect spacing between midfielders and backline. PERFECT! Even when our players wasn't actively recovering towards 70th minute of 2nd half, Paraguay possessed NO threat! ALso, against an opponent so dangerous on the flanks, fullbacks must stay home as much as possible. Both of our wingbacks did the right thing.
Our defense made up with 3 substitutes and a semi-out-of-position starter was AWESOME! Basile structured 2 solid teams of defense with just 7 players, incredible!

2. If anyone still argue that there's a choice between Aimar and Riquelme, he simply does not understand the magnitude of Roman. Aimar is a good replacement, that's where it ends.

3. Lucho is a sub, and that's as far as he'll get. Messi > Lucho for the outside midfielder position. Who said Messi cannot play outside mid?!

4. With the substitutions (Mascherano for Cambiasso, Messi for Lucho), Basile took the 4-2-4 approach I have guessed, to change dynamics of the game. This is no coincident. 4-2-4 achieved the most remarkable success against Negative Football. It's the ideal anti formation against defensive opportunists!

5. Gago played ok (details in rating below), but it's clear now Mascherano > Gago for the holding midfielder role. As long as we play 1 holding mid, Mascherano's starting priority will be untouchable.

6. Tevez isn't an ideal target person. And he must have the devoted support of someone like Riquelme to achieve best result. Milito isn't idea either but he'll create and attempt on chances more frequently from within the box. Therefore the order for #9 should be Milito -> Tevez. It might strike as an disappointment to Carlito's fans, but at least the mystery is cleared out.

7. Messi is quite suitable to play the more offensive outside midfielder position.

8. GIVE BACK MASCHERANO HIS 8 SHIRT!

9. Last note is regarding the defensive choice Basile took with his last substitution. You gave the King of Negative Football EXACTLY what they deserved. Thank you!
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Without further ado, here's how I would score them:

Palacio 7
His job is to rest level one forward subs. I like his performances for Boca, but can't say he's on the same level with his NT teammates.

Tevez 8.5
Without a goal, 8 is probably highest score a forward could get. But on top of the usually good performance from Tevez today, he also showed exceptional reflexes and the ability to make lighting fast decisions. He is on top of his game. His goalless effort has a lot to do with the Paraguayan 8 men defense. Tevez should be awarded an 8.5 IMO.

Aimar 7
Aimar made a few brilliant passes tonight, but not quite enough. He also had trouble protecting the ball from Paraguayan midfielders. Aimar led the offense into a 70 minute long assult on a good defense today and had limited success, I'm afraid 7 is all I could spare on him.

Lucho 5.5
Again, Lucho is there because Maxi just recovered from his injury and Basile wanted to protect his players.

Messi 8
He's always marked. Then he takes the hits, get up, and create more chances. Messi is such a fighter. And more importantly, we see improvements in Messi EVERY GAME. That's just unbelievable.

Cambiasso 8.5
Did you see Cuchu's pass from on top of the box? Did you see him making connections at positions above Aimar? In the past 2 reviews I've criticized Cuchu's lack of creativity in his plays. He showed much improvements today and deserved a good score.

Gago 6.5
Gago's performance just wasn't satisfying. Positive notes on him include: 2 beautiful plays and 1 that the stupid ref called a foul; Some good attempts on distribution eventhough the best one did not go through.
Gago has not had enough playing time in Real Madrid, I hope his situation could see some changes soon.

Mascherano 10
That's right, first 10 in this tournament. Well deserved.
IN MASCHER WE TRUST

Zanetti 9
Zanetti is an Ironman. And he's a true 2 footed iron man. Wow, am I impressed with this old tractor (Trattore)! Pekerman's biggest mistake in his selection was not picking Zanetti.

Diaz 8
Good form. Made the box defending looked easy. Smooth game, more than fulfilled our expectations.

Burdisso 8
Eventhough Burdisso got a yellow today. He's done well. The 3 seperate sequences of box defense were done almost perfectly. These 2 are World Class Players.

Ibarra 8
Part of this solid defense. Great patience and well executed clears. However, Ibarra was a little shaky on one occassion, but Pato got it, no fault for anyone.

Ayala ~

Pato 8.5
Excellent keeping. Although we didn't face much real threat tonight, Pato was awake and ready. Blocked out the only good shot Paraguayan put out, clean sheet.

Check out how other Argentina fans scored the players.