Time for talking over as Maradona’s men aim to down Nigeria’s Super Eagles

Kick Off: Saturday, June 12, 2010. 15:00 BST
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

El Diego the Tinkerman

Since succeeding Alfio ‘Coco’ Basile in October 2008, Diego Maradona has called up over 100 players, and though that ludicrously high number is slightly inflated by the number of friendly matches arranged strictly for home-based players, it’s still fair to say that El Diego has done his fair share of tinkering.

Since stumbling across the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying line with what was, ostensibly, a Carlos Bilardo-inspired 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo, a degree of normality finally arrived to Los Albicelestes: we’ve known the exact starting eleven for this weekend’s World Cup opener with Nigeria since April, haven’t we? Evidently not.

Argentina’s performance in their 5-0 friendly drubbing of Canada last month seemingly left quite an impression on their capricious coach. That night, with first choice central defensive pairing Martin Demichelis and Walter Samuel missing after the Champions League final, Maradona’s first choice right-back Nicolas Otamendi shifted inside to his preferred role, leaving Jonas Gutierrez to drop back into the vacant full-back position.

With Maxi Rodriguez returning after a considerable absence on the right side of midfield, Argentina showed a free-flowing fluidity inspired by the overlapping full-backs the coach said he had no need for. “Why do my full backs need to cross the half-way line?” Diego asked the press recently, informing them: “that’s what my wingers are for!” He now seems to have arrived at a different conclusion.

It’s been an eventful 20 months or so since Diego’s arrival; his bizarre behaviour and struggling side have suffered their fair share of criticism, but he’s got them here. It’s also worth noting that Argentina had won just one of seven qualifiers when he took over. Amidst all his idiosyncrasies, Maradona has managed to emerge with a solid group galvanised by a Jose Mourinho-esque “us against the world” mentality. And this weekend, the time for talking is finally over.

Wherefore art thou, Jay-Jay?

Having dismissed Shaibu Amodu in February following a ‘disappointing’ African Cup of Nations campaign that saw them finish third, the Nigeria Football Association handed former Sweden coach Lars Lagerback a five-month contract to lead the Super Eagles in South Africa this summer.

The 52-year-old quickly set about familiarising himself with the squad, jet-setting around Europe to meet and greet the biggest stars at his disposal before casting an eye over the best of the local talent in the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

He quickly installed a solid 4-4-2 ahead of Nigeria’s fourth trip to the World Cup finals, though the loss of Chelsea’s Mikel John Obi has put a dent in his plans; Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu is expected to slot into that all-important holding midfield role.

"There was a lot of improvement and I believe that as the tournament goes on, the players will keep improving," Lagerback told the press following his side’s 3-1 win over North Korea this week. It was their first victory in five matches and included goals for strikers Obafemi Martins, Yakubu and Victor Obinna.

While Nigeria have never been able to find a replacement for the mercurial Jay-Jay Okocha and have been criticised for a lack of creativity in midfield, Lagerback has a wealth of striking talent at his disposal. Hoffenheim’s Chinedu Obasi and Peter Odemwingie are comfortable drifting wide and will be vital to linking midfield and attack.

At the back, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is highly-rated and being touted for a big move should he enjoy a fruitful tournament while left-back Taye Taiwo’s marauding surges up-field have seen him linked with a move to Real Madrid. Joseph Yobo brings an invaluable experience to the centre of the defence, though Lagerback has struggled to find him a suitable partner.

FORM GUIDE

Argentina

WON 5-1 (h) Costa Rica (Friendly, January 27)

WON 2-1 (h) Jamaica (Friendly, February 11)

WON 1-0 (a) Germany (Friendly, March 3)

WON 4-0 (h) Haiti (Friendly, May 6)

WON 5-0 (h) Canada (Friendly, May 24)

Nigeria

LOST 2-0 (a) Niger (CHAN, March 12)

DREW 0-0 (h) Niger (CHAN, March 12)

DREW 0-0 (n) Saudi Arabia (Friendly, May 25)

DREW 1-1 (n) Colombia (Friendly, May 25)

WON 3-1 (n) North Korea (Friendly, June 6)

TEAM NEWS

Argentina

There are no major injury concerns for Maradona ahead of their opener. The squad have trained well and came through two practice matches unscathed this week. Physio Fernando Signorini's comments regarding a fatigued Leo Messi after a gruelling season with Barcelona seem to have been blown out proportion: he will start.

Probable Starting XI: Romero; Gutierrez, Samuel, Demichelis, Heinze; Mascherano, Veron, di Maria; Messi; Tevez, Higuain

Nigeria

The loss of Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi was a huge blow for the Super Eagles. Marshalling the defence, the 23-year-old added vital protection to his back-four and Dickson Etuhu faces the daunting task of replacing him. With Leo Messi set to be given a roaming role in the ‘hole’, the Fulham man will have to work tirelessly to keep the shackles on Argentina’s star man.

Probable Starting XI: Enyeama; Odiah, Yobo, Shittu, Taiwo; Etuhu, Haruna, Kaita; Odemwingie, Obinna; Yakubu

Players To Watch

Leo Messi

The FIFA World Player of the year has suffered criticism in his homeland for failing to reproduce his club form for the national team. The Barcelona star comes into the tournament as the greatest player on the planet and all eyes will be on his tiny frame tomorrow.

Peter Odemwingie

The 28-year-old Lokomotiv Moscow star is desperate for revenge after being part of the Super Eagles team that lost out to Argentina in the 2008 Olympic final. A mainstay of Nigeria’s qualification campaign, Odemwingie is a constant danger on the flanks and will be confident of his chances in one-on-one situations with Gabriel Heinze.

PREDICTION

With the talent available, it’s hard to see past Argentina for this one. With Di Maria, Tevez, Messi and Higuain all likely to start, it’s hard to imagine they won’t muster a couple of goals between them. However, with Maradona on the touchline, anything is possible; his team are vulnerable at the back and Nigeria’s pace up front is sure to cause problems for the pedestrian Demichelis and Samuel at the heart of the Argentine defence. Gabriel Heinze is also susceptible in one-on-one situations and if Nigeria can isolate Argentina’s backline, they should create chances.

Argentina 2-1 Nigeria