RB: Argentina’s qualifying campaign was undoubtedly shambolic, and until a 1-0 victory over Germany in March, Maradona’s management style was surreal, emphasizing passion over strategy and tactics and cycling through over 100 players in search of consistency. But don’t reduce Argentina to a one-man Messi band. Becoming obsessed with the hype surrounding the “will Messi emerge from the shadow of Maradona” debate disrespects the likes of Sergio Aguero, Diego Milito, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
DH: I think you unwittingly (your specialty) just nailed the problem. With the exception of Mascherano, each of the other four names that you mentioned is a forward. Argentina is going to try to win its games 11-10. Maradona left Gago off his team, for crying out loud. He just cannot help but be anything other than a preening loon whose penchant for self-immolation will have an entire nation paralytic with despair by early July.
RB: Diego’s announcement that he plans to field a back four consisting entirely of central defenders was certainly an eyebrow raiser. But any defense with the smothering Walter Samuel plugging the middle is never going to leak goals.
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