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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

COPA AMERICA 2015: Peruano Carlos Zambrano intenta una disculpa en redes sociales: "Ahora soy el malo de la Película"


El defensa asumió que perjudicó a Perú con la rápida expulsión que se ganó ante Chile.

A. Mayo / 30/06/2015 - 07:40
Carlos Zambrano recibió todas las críticas peruanas por ganarse una rápida expulsión en la semifinal ante Chile. El jugador utilizó Instagram para intentar una disculpa.
"Si claro ahora soy el malo de la Película! Así como a todos les duele no se imaginan como puedo estar yo!!! Soy el primero en aceptar q cague al país a mi país! Pero bueno ya esta! Así es el fútbol igual nuestra selección con 10 hombres la lucharon y dejaron todo en el campo igual agradecer el apoyo de algunas personas en estos momentos", expresó.
Zambrano agregó en la red social que "es entendible las críticas y caballero aguantar todo igual así somos la mayoría de peruanos! Quieren que todo sea perfecto ! Nosotros somos los primeros que queremos darle alegrías a nuestro país nosotros somos los que nos paramos en un campo a defender a un país! Igual solo me queda agradecer a Dios por cada momento de mi vida!!! Dios es amor".

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CANADA 2015 Women's World Cup: Hard work paying off for Germany's Leonie Maier


Leonie Maier of Germany runs with the ball
© Getty Images
“More than anything, it was a huge shock; I’d never had such a major injury before,” Leonie Maier told, recalling the moment a ruptured cruciate ligament was diagnosed following an incident in a Germany training session on 11 March 2014. It was the start of 22 months of hard work as an operation was followed by a long and difficult rehabilitation programme.
The 22-year-old spent countless hours in the gym working towards her comeback. “I did my rehab work at home in Stuttgart and I was there every day,” she said. “When I came off crutches and was able to do more exercises, I was in the fitness studio twice each day, so all that added up,” she answered when asked how much time she spent on equipment and stability exercises during that time.
When listening to the Bayern Munich full-back, it quickly becomes apparent that she is a fighter who refused to let this difficult setback get her down. Maier tried to remain upbeat throughout and even take something positive from the experience. “I looked forward to rehab every day,” she explained. “I was overjoyed the first time I worked up a sweat, because it meant I could finally do something again.”
Having clear targets helped Maier to give her all in the gym as she focused on returning to action for her club as soon as possible, with the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ in the back of her mind at all times. “There’s no doubt that I thought about it,” she recalled, “but I always believed in myself, never wasted a moment thinking I couldn’t do it and managed to stay positive.”
Rewarded for her efforts
This impressive display of willpower paid dividends. Maier made her comeback for Bayern after a seven-month layoff and was capped again for the national side a short time later, making her a logical choice for this summer’s Canada 2015 squad. She has missed only 60 minutes of Germany’s World Cup campaign so far and has delivered consistently solid performances along the way, providing support in attack down the wing while also seeking to stifle the opposition at the back.
Such character and strength of will are ideal attributes for a player in Maier’s position, tasked with repeatedly pushing forward and getting back over 90 minutes. One perfect ambassador for this role is former Germany captain Philipp Lahm, who is clearly a big influence on the 22-year-old. Perhaps she was recalling his goal in the Opening Match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ when she cut in from the wing against France before taking a shot that was deflected by a French hand to yield a penalty.
That move ultimately enabled Germany to force extra time and penalties. “You could see what can be achieved with willpower, and we’ve got plenty of that in our team,” said a delighted Maier. “Everyone battles for everyone else. Although things didn’t go well [against France] we managed to fight back.”
Focused on the road ahead
There is no doubt that this tenacity will be indispensable once again in the semi-final against the USA. Maier believes that the North Americans are “physically and mentally tougher” than France, even though their most recent opponents were “technically very impressive”. The encounter will also give the German a chance to take revenge for another tough setback earlier in her career, when she was part of the team that lost the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2012 final to the Stars and Stripes.
Nevertheless, Maier has long since put this experience behind her: “I think it’ll be completely different from that U-20 Women’s World Cup final in 2012,” she reflected. “Both teams are completely different. We’re now in the senior side, the highest level you can reach, facing a match between two top teams who will give nothing away. It’ll be a very tough battle.”
Despite this daunting prospect, Maier is not a player who dwells on the negative, instead choosing to look ahead as she did during her period on the sidelines. Fans watching the semi-final can once again look forward to seeing a full-back who works tirelessly down the right flank, prepared to give everything to emulate her role model and ultimately hoist a World Cup trophy aloft.
One thing that may have helped Maier along the way is the fact that she had the opportunity to meet Lahm shortly before departing for Canada. Bayern’s men’s and women’s teams both became German champions this year, an achievement they celebrated together in Munich’s Marienplatz. “Although we didn’t get a chance to speak at length, we were all able to chat together and they [Bayern’s 2014 FIFA World Cup winners] wished us luck,” she grinned.
Based on Germany’s appearances in Canada so far, it seems this support has helped. Nevertheless, the majority of their success has come not through luck but hard work – both before and during this Women’s World Cup.

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CANADA 2015 Women's World Cup England's Jodie Taylor: No ball is lost, no battle is lost



Jodie Taylor of England is congratulted by team mate Jill Scott
© Getty Images
Jodie Taylor knows what it is like to watch things unfold from a distance. She has no time to waste and, more importantly, no desire to revert to being a helpless spectator. Perhaps that is why, instead of waiting around for the ball, the England attacker is increasingly going in search of it.

Against the hosts in the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ quarter-finals, whenever the action crossed the halfway line into opposition territory, Taylor was never far away. That explains why she was in the perfect position to capitalise on Lauren Sesselmann's slip, seize possession and score the opening goal, three minutes before Lucy Bronze notched the second in a 2-1 triumph that took the English ladies into the semi-finals for the first time.

"That was my mentality and the team's as a whole: no ball is lost, no battle is lost," Taylor told FIFA.com. "You have to always go in there and scrap, to make sure the opposition never have it easy on the ball. We'd resolved to run, run and keep running, put them under pressure and force them into mistakes. And that paid off."
If anyone understands the value of perseverance, it is Taylor. The 29-year-old has had to show it in spades to get this far, having been serially overlooked at international level, to the extent that this is her first World Cup and she only earned her maiden cap last year. This, despite making her breakthrough for Tranmere Rovers aged 16 and consistently pressing her claim thereafter.
Taylor could justifiably view her success under current Lionesses manager Mark Sampson as proving a point to the likes of former boss Hope Powell, whom she once emailed to no avail. But such thoughts could not be further from her mind.

"Things are what they are and honestly I have no hard feelings," the Portland Thorns player, who is the only member of the England squad based overseas," explained. "I hold no grudges against anyone. The staff were entitled to select the players they wanted, and playing abroad certainly didn't help my cause," added the forward, who has enjoyed stints in Canada, the USA, Sweden and Australia at club level.
Not even returning to England with Birmingham City was enough for Taylor to win a place in the set-up for the UEFA Women's EURO 2013 in Sweden. Ironically, she found herself loaned out to Kopparbergs/Goteborg and ended up watching from the stands while her compatriots and club team-mates represented their respective countries. This was a new low, in a sense, but it also prompted a change of outlook.

Taylor said: "I never stopped believing, but that was definitely the toughest moment. It made me realise that there was no point beating myself up over things which I had no control over."
Good things come to those who waitWhen Sampson finally handed a then 28-year-old Taylor her chance in 2014, the battle-weary star took her first steps in international football with just as much enthusiasm as any fresh-faced youngster.

"Making my debut at that age, with the experience I have, was obviously a bonus", said the seasoned campaigner, who has even had a spell as an assistant coach in the USA. "I never gave up and I'm happy to have come back into the picture at the right time and to be able to show that I've learned something from all the trials and tribulations I've been through."
The latest such test came just eight weeks before the big event in Canada kicked off, in the shape of a knee injury that required Taylor to go under the knife. "I was in rehabilitation for seven or eight hours a day, lying there not knowing whether I would recover," she recalled, her voice full of emotion. "And yet the coach put me in the squad, without even knowing if I would be fit enough to play in the tournament."
The rest is history. Thanks to a combination of Sampson's faith, the efforts of the medical staff and Taylor's iron will, she is back on her feet and looking to keep seizing the moment against reigning champions Japan in the World Cup semi-finals.

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CANADA 2015 Women's World Cup: Iwashimizu leading Japan’s defence from the front


Azusa Iwashimizu #3 and Saori Ariyoshi #19 of Japan celebrate
© Getty Images 
Amid all the attention to Japan’s technical prowess and ability to maintain possession, the world champions also boast impressive defensive capabilities. In their charge to the semi-finals at Canada 2015, the Nadeshiko have constantly defied opposition attacks thanks to both a solid structure and resolute individual performances. Indeed Japan have conceded just twice in their five matches thus far, and they have yet to concede prior to the 90th minute.
A sometimes unheralded component in a team of stars is central defender Azusa Iwashimizu. Yet the 28-year-old has been an ever-present during Japan’s most glorious period, winning the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and the 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament silver medal. She was even present four years earlier when the Nadeshiko first blossomed on the international stage as they reached the semi-finals at Beijing 2008.
Now the challenge for the Class of 2015 is to maintain their winning form for two more matches. A win in Wednesday’s semi-final against England in Edmonton will set up a match-up with either Germany or USA in the Canada 2015 Final.
Japan captain Aya Miyama said before the 1-0 quarter-final win over Australia that the Nadeshiko were only playing at 60 per cent of their capability. And of concern to England will be Iwashimizu’s view that Japan are still to peak. “I believe we can do a lot better, and we are all working hard on it,” Iwashimizu told. “In the quarter-final, we had a good tempo in offence and created chances, but we couldn't score when we had that rhythm, and the goal was from a set-play. There were some good parts in the match against Australia but I think the match against Netherlands was also good.”
Four years on
England will be well advised to keep an eye on Iwashimizu at set-plays. The No3 was the unlikely score of the winner in last year’s AFC Asian Women’s Cup final against Australia, and looked dangerous whenever she got forward against the same opponent last Saturday.

And Iwashimizu says reaching this stage is different than four years ago when Japan knocked out hosts Germany with an against-the-odds last-eight win. “Four years ago, we didn't know [what to expect] and it was an unknown world,” Iwashimizu said. “This time we are here to achieve a second consecutive title and it makes us feel that the things really start from now.
“The two teams cannot be simply compared, but what's different is the experience of each of the players. We almost have the same players and they know about coming out on top, and I think that's how we could make our way to the semi-finals.”
One area in which Japan will be looking to improve is goalscoring with the reigning champions winning all five matches by a single goal. “We are creating chances and we are finishing our attacks with shots on goal,” Iwashimizu says. “Now we must turn that into a better outcome, and we have been working on that in training.”

Following years of landmark achievement Japan have yet another hurdle to clear when they face England, a side they have never beaten in the three matches between the two nations. Indeed England were the only team to beat Japan at Germany 2011 during the Nadeshiko’s charge to the crown.
And Iwashimizu remains wary of an England side who impressively saw off Norway and Canada during the knockout stage. “Each one of the players can play offensively and carry the ball forward, rather than through individual passes,” she said. “And also their long straight passes are high in quality, so we need to handle that well defensively, and it will be my job is to not let them do what they want to do in front of goal.”

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CANADA 2015 Women's World Cup: Alex Morgan looking for a fairy tale finish


Alex Morgan of the U.S. answers questions during a news conference
© Getty Images 30 Jun 2015
Alex Morgan is one of the most popular players in USA women’s football. A talented goalscorer with a style that is very easy on the eye and good looks to match, she is nothing short of a media phenomenon.
There is more to Morgan than meets the eye, however. A successful children’s writer, she has just published Hat Trick, the fourth book in her series The Kicks.
The saga follows the adventures of Devin, a 13-year-old girl who moves from Connecticut to California and discovers in football a way to make friends and experience new adventures.
“I never imagined that I’d enjoy doing this so much,” the footballing wordsmith tells FIFA.com. “The opportunity came up in 2012 and I didn’t want to pass it up. I’m very happy with how popular it’s proved with young girls. It’s children’s literature and it’s easy to read.”

Not content with that, she has also written a book about her experiences at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where she won gold with her country, while a pilot episode of the cartoon version of The Kicks has just aired on TV. 
“If it’s a success, they might show the whole season, which is based on the first of the three books I wrote, called Saving The Team,” said the Portland Thorns forward, clearly excited at the prospect of her stories potentially becoming the female version of the hugely successful Captain Tsubasa series.
For the time being, however, the intrepid Morgan has other things on her mind than her successful writing career, not least Tuesday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ semi-final against Germany in Montreal, a game in which she will be hoping to add to the one goal she has scored in the tournament so far.
“The two best teams in the world are coming face to face,” said the striker, who turns 26 on Tuesday. “It’s virtually a final. Germany are a great side. We’ve watched nearly all of their games, and they’re very strong in defence and dangerous in the air and with the ball at their feet.
“We need to watch out for the knockdowns too and for Celia Sasic and Anja Mittag, who are both a big threat up front.”
It was seven years ago that Morgan burst on to the international scene at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008, which USA won, after beating Germany in the semis. As well as a winner’s medal, the forward also walked away with the adidas Silver Ball and the adidas Bronze Boot, and scored the goal of the tournament in the final.
“A lot has changed since then,” she said, casting her mind back. “I’ve matured as a person, a player and a team-mate, and it’s been a great journey.
“That was my first tournament in front of more than 500 people and I’ve learned to deal with the difference at this level.”
The crowd at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium will be a good deal bigger than that. And with the US border lying so close, Jill Ellis’ side can expect plenty of support in the stands.
“It’s a World Cup with a little bit of a difference,” explained Morgan. “There have been so many USA fans at the last few games that it’s felt like we’ve been playing at home, even though we’re in Canada. We have a lot of support and our families come to see us more often.”
One person close to Morgan’s heart who has not been around, however, is her husband, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Servando Carrasco, who is on duty with his team in MLS.
“We’ve hardly seen each other lately,” she explained. “We’re obviously both very busy right now, though the fact that we’re both soccer players means we understand each other better. We understand the commitment involved and we support one another.”
Touching her wedding ring, she added: “We have to make a lot of sacrifices for our work and our marriage, though it’s just a question of finding a balance and helping each other to keep pushing on.”
As busy as they are, Morgan and her husband are determined to see each other on Sunday, when the Final of Canada 2015 takes place.
“We’re taking it one game at a time,” said Morgan, a member of the USA side that finished runners-up to Japan at Germany 2011. “We’ve been playing better and better as the tournament has gone on and obviously our goal is to take that trophy back home again.”
The last time the Stars and Stripes did that was in 1999. Sixteen years on, Morgan has the chance to fashion another happy ending for American women’s football.

COPA AMERICA 2015: Argentina v Paraguay preview: A place in the final at stake in Concepción

The neighbouring countries will meet at the Estadio Ester Roa with the winner going on to take a place in the showpiece event on July 4

Argentina and Paraguay meet for the second time at Copa América 2015, but this time the stakes have been raised from their initial group-stage clash.
More from Goal.com : Transfer news | Tevez's moment
The two nations will go head-to-head at the Estadio Ester Roa in Concepción on Tuesday night, with the winners booking a place in the final.
La Albirroja came from behind in their opening fixture against La Albiceleste, with two second-half goals helping them earn an important point in a 2-2 draw.
Argentine-born striker Raúl Bobadilla - who only made his Paraguay debut this year - confessed to apprehension in that fixture.
"In the first match against Argentina I played against my nerves - it was all new to me," he told La Nacion.
"Starting against Argentina was an incredible dream. It's like I can't quite believe what is happening to me."Ramón Díaz's men progressed to the final four after eliminating Brazil in the quarter-final stage in Concepción.
The striker believes their path to the semi-finals has been built upon a great team spirit and exemplerary coaching, and they're are primed to cause an upset on Tuesday and eliminate a side considered among the favourites for the trophy.
"This team has a special attitude. Nobody gave us anything, but we are no less than anyone else," Bobadilla added.
"We do not have the players that Brazil, Argentina or other national teams do.
"We were facing each game with intelligence and with the guidance of the coaches, led by Ramón Díaz, we can work things out.
"His experience has allowed us to see things in opponents that when we play enables us to hurt them or defend against them."Ramón pulled this team along when nobody would give two pesos for us. We are going out to beat Argentina."
However, Roque Santa Cruz recently commented that Gerardo Martino's side have improved since their first meeting.
And although La Albiceleste could not find the net in their last-eight clash with Colombia - requiring a penalty shoot-out to advance - his sentiments were echoed by Javier Pastore who feels Argentina produced their best display yet in the quarter-finals.
"I think [last Friday against Colombia] was the best of the era of Tata [Martino]," Pastore said. "We played perfectly, but we still lack a goal."
La Albiceleste are bidding to win the title for the first time since 1993 and end a run of 22 years without a senior trophy, but with Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero and Javier Mascherano all a booking away from a ban that would rule them out of a potential final, they cannot run too many risks.
Paraguay - who Martino led to the final four years ago in Argentina - also have Bruno Valdez, Pablo Aguilar and Osvaldo Martínez on the brink of a suspension, while Néstor Ortigoza is not expected to return to fitness in time to feature after picking up a hamstring injury earlier in the competition.

Match Facts

  • Argentina have lost only one of their last 18 Copa America matches (W11 D6): the 2007 Final against Brazil.
  • Gerardo Martino's team have not conceded goals over their last three games in the competition.
  • Argentina won their last two Copa America semifinals, both with a 3-0: against Colombia (2004) and Mexico (2007).
  • The Argentinians have conceded only one goal in their last four semifinals in this competition (W2 D1 L1): a 1-0 defeat against Uruguay in 1987.
  • This is the second time Paraguay reach this stage, with a single match semifinal: the first was a 0-0 against Venezuela in 2011.
  • Overall, Paraguay have played five semifinal matches in the Copa America: one win, on the home soil against Brazil in 1979, and four draws.
  • Argentina are unbeaten against Paraguay in the Copa America (W18 D5).
  • Argentina have kept three clean sheets in a row in the current Copa America - they have been able to keep four in a single edition only in 1989.
  • The Albiceleste have fired the most shots over the current Copa America: 66, 22 more than Paraguay.
  • Martino's side have also recorded the highest passing accuracy in this Copa America so far, 86.3%.
  • Six out of the last eight Paraguay goals in the Copa America were set piece: three following a free-kick, two after a corner, one on penalty.
  • Only four substitutes have found the net in this Copa America - one of them is Lucas Barrios who scored against Argentina at the group stage.
  • Drawing 2-2 at the group stage, Paraguay became the second team that haven't lost after being 0-2 against Argentina in a Copa America match: the first was Ecuador in 1983.
  • Ángel Di María has made 52 crosses so far, a highest tally in the current Copa America - he also made 11 more than the two best Paraguayans combined (Edgar Benítez 22, Derlis González 19).
  • Lionel Messi has completed the most dribbles in this Copa America: 30, three more than the whole Paraguay squad (27).
  • 33% of the Paraguay shots in this Copa America were headed - the highest percentage so far.
  • Argentina are the team that have attempted the most shots against Paraguay in a Copa America 2015 match: 18, including blocked.
  • Paraguay recorded 31% of possession against Argentina: so far their lowest percentage in a game of the current Copa America.

Toronto High Park FC announce another year of partnership with Challenger Sports, providers of North America's most popular soccer camps





Challenger Camp 2015
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Toronto High Park FC is pleased to announce another year of partnership with Challenger Sports, providers of North America's most popular soccer camps, to host two week-long recreational-level soccer camps and two week-long competitive-level soccer camps.
Recreational level camps
July 6 -10, Rennie Park
July 27 - 31, Rennie Park
Competitive level camps
June 29 - July 3 (4 days only), High Park
July 27 - 31, High Park
The camps will run Monday through Friday and each child will be coached by a member of Challenger's British coaching staff flown to Canada exclusively to work on these programs. Challenger will hold over 3,700 British Soccer Camps this summer and will coach over 150,000 players between the ages of 3 and 18, as well as completing FREE coach education clinics for over 40,000 parents and coaches
Challenger's British Soccer Camp is more than a week of drills and skills. Players will be taking part in a daily regimen of foot skill development (through the 1,000 touches curriculum), technical and tactical practices and daily 'World Cup' tournament style play. Each child will be treated to a rich cultural experience and lessons on respect, responsibility, integrity, leadership and sportsmanship. Each camp is custom built to meet the needs of your players (recreational or competitive) so Challenger will be directed by the organization on the content of the camp that they too require.
Each camper will receive a FREE camp T-shirt, soccer ball, soccer poster, individual skills performance evaluation and free access to an educational soccer website. In addition, any child who signs up online by May 15th/May 22/June 12th will receive a genuine British Soccer replica Jersey valued at $39.
 
 
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COPA AMERICA 2015: A Lionel Messi affair - Argentina's deficiencies pile pressure on captain Leo







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COMMENT: The Barcelona forward has been in fine form at the Copa America, but is still lacking help from his team-mates as the Albiceleste struggle to score goals at Chile 2015

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By Ben Haywayd in Concepcion

Lionel Messi could not believe his luck. Colombia's David Ospina's outrageous save denied the Argentine attacker from a close-range header on Friday and four full games into the Copa America, the Barcelona forward has only one goal to his name - a penalty against Paraguay in his opening match.

"It's unbelievable the trouble I'm having in scoring with the national team," the 28-year-old lamented after his side overcame Colombia on penalties in the quarter-finals. But it is not just Messi. Despite their fine football, Argentina have netted only four goals in as many games at Chile 2015 - and that is putting even greater pressure on their captain in this tournament.

Since scoring twice in the first half against Paraguay, the Albiceleste have added just two more goals in 324 minutes of football. Sergio Aguero's header was enough to see Gerardo Martino's men beat Uruguay 1-0, while Gonzalo Higuain's goal edged out Jamaica by the same scoreline and Argentina needed penalties to defeat Colombia following a goalless game against Jose Pekerman's side in the last eight.

"It is clear we have a problem with our finishing," Martino said at the pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of his side's semi-final against Paraguay. "There is a red mark against our finish¡ng and it is something we have to improve on. But I agree with Javier (Mascherano) that it is more of a coincidence than anything else."

Perhaps. But the problem is more than just the finishing. The return of Lazio's Lucas Biglia in midfield for Argentina's second game, against Uruguay, gave Martino's men better balance defensively than with Ever Banega there, but it has also restricted the Albiceleste attack.



"Biglia gives us more balance in midfield," Tata said ahead of the 2-2 draw against Paraguay on June 13. "But Banega gives us more play." With the Lazio midfielder short of full fitness, the Sevilla man started that game and Argentina played probably their best and worst football of the competition in a classic game of two halves in La Serena.

With Biglia back, they look more solid. Goals, however, have been hard to come by with him on the pitch. For all Tata's talk about the importance of style, he has two defensive-minded midfielders in the team in Biglia and Javier Mascherano, while the third (Javier Pastore) is often too far from the opposition area and has been unable to link up effectively with the forwards on the edge of the box.

That has left striker Sergio Aguero isolated, while Angel Di Maria is still struggling to find form for his country in this tournament.

"Before the friendly against Germany last year, I said Di Maria was one of the five best footballers in the world," Martino said on Monday when asked about Angel. "And I maintain that." In truth, however, the Manchester United winger is nowhere near his best.

Di Maria thrives when attacking spaces at speed, but Argentina have faced four defensive rivals so far in this Copa and only against Jamaica did the former Real Madrid winger really impress.

Up against rivals squeezing spaces, Martino is keen for his full-backs to push forward and help the attack. That, however, is another problem because Marcos Rojo is a converted centre-back who offers very little offensively and Pablo Zabaleta lacks the pace to really threaten down the right - although he did set up Aguero's goal against Uruguay with an excellent cross.




That strike saw Argentina at their very best. Some superb trickery from Pastore took two defenders out of the equation, Zabaleta then whipped in a pinpoint centre and Aguero headed home. And more of that is now needed if Argentina are to go all the way in to the title in Santiago next weekend.

But the deficiencies at full-back and in central midfield (two problem positions even at youth level in Argentine football) mean Messi is not getting the help he needs and the support he receives at club level with Barcelona.

The Barca midfield moves the ball around much more quickly than the Argentina trio, with lovely link-up play on the edge of the box from Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic and the now-departed Xavi creating all sorts of problems for their rivals and space for the forwards.

Argentina are missing that, as well as attacking full-backs like Dani Alves and Jordi Alba who offer an additional threat with their forward runs.

The result sees Messi dropping deep to try and influence games and although he has performed exceptionally well in this tournament, he has been unable to influence matches quite like he does for the Catalan club.

So as Argentina advance, so the pressure piles on Messi once again. As at the World Cup last year, the hopes of a nation rest on his shoulders. But just like in Brazil 2014, the same flaws could cost the Albiceleste another major title in South America this summer.
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