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Will Big Phil’s reliance on continuity pay dividends?

In the end, despite Luiz Felipe Scolari´s coy suggestion the night before, there were no real surprises. No Lucas Leiva, no Kaká, no Robinho, certainly no Ronaldinho.

The announcement of Brazil´s World Cup squad drew over 800 journalists to the Vivo Rio conference hall on Wednesday afternoon. There, for once, proceedings got underway on time, the sinister José Maria Marin keeping his introductory speech short before handing over to Brazil´s "commander".

Felipão did not waste much time either. After briefly calling on Brazil to "get behind the squad despite their preference for footballer A, B or C", he named the 23 players who will attempt to win the World Cup on home soil this summer. 21 or 22 of which anyone could have guessed beforehand, as the Seleção coach readily admitted.

Júlio César becomes the first goalkeeper playing in Canada to earn a World Cup call-up for Brazil (think he might cling on to that honour for a while) and will be backed up by Jefferson of Botafogo and Grêmio stopper Victor. The latter usurps Diego Cavalieri, who was in the squad for the Confederations Cup last summer.

Right-backs Daniel Alves and Maicon were shoo-ins, but it may surprise some to see Maxwell selected as back-up to Marcelo on the left. Filipe Luís, so impressive for Atlético Madrid this season, has every right to feel disappointed.

The same can be said of Miranda, who was also overlooked. With Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Dante the three certainties in this department, the identity of the final centre-back was one of the main mysteries ahead of the announcement. Scolari opted against Dedé, Réver and Miranda in favour of Napoli´s Henrique, with whom he worked at Palmeiras. That choice can largely be attributed to the Felipão trust factor, but the 27-year-old can also fill in at full-back or in front of the backline if required.

The midfield contingent has a distinctly English feel, with Paulinho, Fernandinho, Ramires, Willian and Oscar all taking their places among the 23. Midfield anchor Luiz Gustavo is also in the squad, as is Hernanes. The latter was perhaps the only other slight surprise on the list, with his standing in the Brazil set-up seemingly having wavered in the last few months. In the end, though, Scolari clearly preferred the technical ability of the Internazionale man to Lucas Moura´s raw speed or the experience of Kaká.

The attack is as expected, with Jô and Bernard providing cover for Fred, Neymar and Hulk. Some had suggested that Robinho would earn a stunning recall due to his popularity among the other players, but thankfully common sense won out on that front.

The squad shows seven changes since the Confederations Cup, with dead wood like Jean and Jádson among those to make way. While there are areas of relative weakness, you would be hard-pressed to argue that the Seleção isn´t stronger than it was 12 months ago. Comparisons to the 2010 squad are also favourable: Dunga selected Júlio Baptista, Kléberson and Grafite, who all turned out to be passengers in South Africa.

Really, it should hardly be surprising that Scolari made no truly left-field selections. After all, his whole modus operandi is based upon continuity and team spirit. He has known for some time which players will step onto the field against Croatia on June 12. Now comes the hard part.

Racing and Merlo part ways while Ricardo Gareca mulls over other offers

Ricardo Gareca could make a return to Primera management if Racing have their way

Racing Club are back looking for a new manager after Reinaldo ‘Mostaza’ Merlo decided to walk through the exit door before being pushed at the end of the season. With performances hardly improving since Merlo returned it comes as no surprise and now Club President, Victor Blanco is tasked with finding the replacement that can bring success back to Avellaneda. Top of the list appears to be the highly sought after, former Vélez boss, Ricardo Gareca who “fits the profile of the club”.

Following a continuation of the dreadful form that prompted Mostaza Merlo’s return, Victor Blanco informed the 2001 Apertura winning boss that his services would not be required beyond the Torneo Final. With two rounds remaining, Mostaza justifiably decided that he wouldn’t hang around and so Blanco’s search for a replacement has begun.

Fabio Radaelli has been given the interim job but it would appear that Vélez Sarsfield’s previous manager, Ricardo Gareca is their number one target.

Racing’s Deputy Treasurer, Adrian Fernandez has said that “Gareca has the low profile we want for the club. He is a coach of offensive football and he likes to promote the youth.”

Gareca is reportedly open to listen to Racing’s offer but he is also said to be a target for both Newell’s Old Boys and Spanish side, Celta Vigo who may be looking to replace Luis Enrique.

After such a successful time with Vélez, Gareca has an outstanding reputation in Argentina and beyond and while at one time, Racing may have been a huge draw it is difficult to see the appeal at this time.

His expressed desire to move to Europe would seem to put Celta Vigo as his favoured move but even domestically Newell’s would present a more desirable job. Certainly Newell’s play a style of football more in keeping with Gareca’s philosophy and with their commitment to their youth sides, it would be a good match.

Having been out of work since leaving Vélez at the end of the Torneo Inicial it will not be long before Gareca is back in work but this could be an interesting close season for Racing. A new boss, the possible return of Diego Milito and the departure of youngster Rodrigo De Paul and potentially others will see no shortage of news coming from Avellaneda over the coming months.

Torino submit offer for Liverpool target, River Plate’s Lanzini

River President, Rodolfo D’Onforio having stated last week that the club would “analyse an offer if it comes in” for talented number 10, Manuel Lanzini prompted plenty of transfer rumours from Europe. Liverpool were among a host of top sides said to be interested in taking Lanzini away from the Monumental and helping ease River’s ever-increasing debt. However, Torino look to steal a march on their European rivals and have lodged a €6.5 million bid. Lanzini’s representative, Marcelo Lombilla admitted that “on Monday we will gather with leaders of River to see what they think.” It could be too good for River to turn down but it will be interesting to see if it prompts other bids for the 21-year old.

Mexicos VM trup

LOS 23 CONVOCADOS PARA BRASIL 2014

PorteroGuillermo Ochoa Ajaccio (FRA)
Portero Jesús Corona Cruz Azul
Portero Alfredo Talavera Toluca

Defensa Paul Aguilar América
Defensa Rafael Márquez León
Defensa Héctor Moreno Espanyol (ESP)
Defensa Diego Reyes Porto (POR)
Defensa Carlos Salcido Tigres
Defensa Miguel Layún América
Defensa Francisco Javier Rodríguez América
Defensa Andrés Guardado Bayer Leverkusen (ALE)

Mediocampista0 Carlos Peña León
Mediocampista Luis Montes León
Mediocampista Isaac Brizuela Toluca
Mediocampista Héctor Herrera Porto (POR)
Mediocampista Juan Carlos Medina América
Mediocampista Marco Fabián Cruz Azul
Mediocampista José Juan Vázquez León

Delantero Oribe Peralta Santos
Delantero Giovani dos Santos Villareal (ESP)
Delantero Javier Hernández Manchester United (ING)
Delantero Alan Pulido Tigres
Delantero Raúl Jiménez América

og ...............

Mexico Announce Their Final 23-Man World Cup Roster

The big day arrived, the day in which the Mexican National Team announced the names of the players that will represent them in FIFA World Cup in Brazil. A day which was very much at risk during 2013 and that USMNT midfielder Graham Zusi had to save.

El Tri manager Miguel "Piojo" Herrera decided to skip the naming of a 30 man preliminary roster and go straight into the 23 man final list. Twenty years ago Herrera was on the short list for Mexico´s 1994 World Cup squad, but got left out at the last minute by then manager Miguel Mejia Baron. Herrera vowed not to put seven players through that kind of anguish and go straight to the 23 man list.

The big surprise in Herrera´s list was Tigres defender Carlos Salcido who did not participate in any of the matches that Miguel Herrera has managed up until now, as well as the exclusion of Club America goalkeeper Moises Munoz who looked poised to be the third choice keeper.

Goalkeepers (3): Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio/FRA), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)

Defenders (8): Paul Aguilar (Club America), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Miguel Layun (Club America), Rafael Marquez (Leon), Hector Moreno (Espayol/SPA), Diego Reyes (Porto/POR), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (Club America), Carlos Salcido (Tigres)

Midfielders (7): Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul), Hector Herrera (Porto/POR), Juan Carlos Medina (Club America), Luis Montes (Leon), Carlos Pena (Leon), Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon)

Forwards (5): Giovani Dos Santos (Villarreal/SPA), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United/ENG), Raul Jimenez (Club America), Oribe Peralta (Santos), Alan Pulido (Tigres)

Det lyder da meget lovende med Rodrigo De Paul, men altid svært for en sydamerikansk teenager at tilvænnes Europa.


Hvad angår El Tri, er der vel ikke de store overraskelser, selvom listen tæller hele 16 hjemlige spillere - nationalstolthed krydret med Liga MX´s udvikling. Meget sigende skipper træner Herrera helt at udtage en evt. bruttotrup.

Det skulle da lige være gode gamle Ochoa, som vist havde en lille beef med Herrera, men han er alligevel kun reservekeeper bag slutrundens fedeste navn Jesús Corona. Vela havde simpelthen for meget stolthed og cojones til at trække i land.

Ift. tidligere slutrunder kommer jeg dog til at savne den lille ræv Osorio, og dét tror jeg også bliver tilfældet for El Tri, fordi defensiven og faktisk det meste af holdet er ganske urutineret og usammenspillet efter Herreras mindre revolution. Især tyndt på backerne - ikke at jeg savner Torres Nilo! - men iblandt Herreras foretrukne er hverken Salcido og i hvert fald Osorio. Nyttige rotationsspillere.

Deraf mit spørgsmål:
- Kunne Herrera mon finde på at gentage, eller under VM skifte over til, tremandsforsvaret med wingbacks fra sidste VM?

Corona; Márquez, Moreno, Reyes; Peña, Herrera, Guardado, Fabián, dos Santos; Peralta, Hernández.

Tja hvad der angår El Tri, så er overraskelserne vel Salcido, og at han så bort fra sin målmand Múñoz (América). Derudover så han bort fra Miguel Ponce, Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Rogelio Chávez og Enrique Pérez.

Carlos Vela er for meget kælling til mexicanerne, de vil heller ikke tilgive ham anyway...det er lidt lige som med Rafa da han spillede for Barca, det ville de mest patriotiske burritos og kyle ham ad helvede til, fordi han talte spansk som en "bøsse" (altså med katalansk accent) - de er alt for nationalistiske og macho til at finde sig i den spanske paella mentalitet som Carlos Vela står for.

tilgengæld syntes jeg det er fedt at Marco Fabian røg med, han har en del potentiale, León-duo Montes og Peña er også spændende....angrebet er vel der hvor de er dækket bedst ind , Hernández, Dos Santos, Peralta , Jiménez, Pulido...

de burde snuppe andenpladsen i gruppen efter Brasilien

Det vel lidt svært at spå om hvaf Piojo vil gøre, der er jo lidt af en scolariklon over ham forstået på en måde stammen udgøres af spillere han kender i forvejen (América) - det virker til at bære frugt (ligesom Scolari) - der er vel også grænser for hvor eksperimenterende han kan være, så mange landskampe har han jo heller ikke haft i spidsen for El Tri ?

Velas reaktion især her efter landstrænerskiftet var rigtigt nok kællingeagtig.
- Hvor meget jeg end ikke kan lide Vela og hele sagaen, er han sportsligt isoleret klart god nok til Mexico XI og var egentligt også ønsket med til VM af Herrera. Du har dog nok ret i, at hans fravær er for det bedste - mexicanske publikum vil møde talstærkt op i Brasilien.

Man må i øvrigt ikke håbe, nykkerne har ramt Moreno, fordi han er godt nok en vigtig og fantastisk dygtig centerforsvarer. Økonomisk ramte Espanyol takkede nej til flere olieklubber sidste sommer.

Da El Tri stillede rent hjemligt i CONCACAF, havde det ikke just ønskede effekt på banen, så det handler også lidt om at balancere denne nationalfølelse.

Fabián er jeg også meget spændt. Portos Herrera også utroligt lovende.

Men enig, det må være næststørste favoritter til avancement. Det afrikanske osmannerrige tør jeg godt afskrive, men kroaternes offensiv anført af Modr.. Rakitić kan gøre ondt på alle gruppens hold - det stiller dog næsten umulige krav til deres lige så ringe defensiv.
- Mexico er dog ikke klokkeklare favoritter, heller ikke på papiret, for dertil er det ellers talentfulde hold simpelthen for nyt og usammenspillet.

Det bliver ihvertfald spændende, Herrera er ikke en træner som giver badebilletter til udenlandsprofferne.

Centerforsvaret bliver vel en kamp mellem Marquez, Rodriguez og så Moreno kan jeg forestille mig - Herrera er langt fra sikker på en stamplads heller, Leon-trio´en Vázquez, Montes og Peña spiller eller kan spille på den centrale midtbane og de 3 syntes at have en hvis sympati hos Piojo.

Læg dertil at udenlandsprofferne floppede under VM-Kvallen - hvilket tildels skyldes arrogance men også de her klimaproblemer, rejsetid etc...det interessant her er jo at Herrera fravalgte brugen af udenlandsprofferne i play-off kampene og det med succes.

Mjaeh Kroatien og Cameroun kan vel godt overraske - det er trods alt fodbold , bolden rund, er det det kroatiske landshold som spillede ved EM - er jeg dog ikke imponeret af kvaliteten, Mexico med den kvalitet holdet har og med publikumsopbakning bør gå videre - det ihvertfald et hold Brasilien gerne ville have undgået - de er ved at udvikle sig til at være en hademodstander efterhånden, de gør det fint mod Brasilien - langt bedre end Argentina eksempelvis.