While Brazil where busy beating Ecuador and avoiding crazed Swedes (see here and here), Alfio Basile released his lineup for today's friendly against Spain. Just like he said in his interview last week, he'll send out four across the back and play with four in the middle and two up front. Of note are Roberto Ayala reaching 106 international appearances (equaling the all-time record set by Diego Simeone) as well as starts for Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, and Javier Mascherano.Argentina starting XI:
Roberto Abbondanzieri (Getafe); Pablo Zabaleta (Espanyol), Roberto Ayala (Valencia), Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza), Rodolfo Arruabarrena (Villarreal); Luis Gonzalez (Porto), Javier Mascherano (West Ham), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid); Federico Insua (Borussia Monchengladbach); Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Carlos Tevez (West Ham).Concerning Spain, Carles Puyol spent most of the day refuting reports that he had had it out with Spanish coach Luis Aragones. He said that they hadn't had any heated discussions and that it was a lie that he had argued with Aragones. Either way, he came down with an injury after today's training session and won't be playing tomorrow. It seems a that a muscle strain will keep him out of the match.
Aragones had more to worry about as his tenuous hold on the Spanish job was hit with another rumor that former Italian boss Marcello Lippi is in line to step in if he can't get the job done. He's been know to show interest in the Spanish game, whether that's in La Liga or with the national team remains to be see.
Kaka extends Brazil unbeaten run [CNN]
Basile releases lineup [TyC Sports]
"It's a lie" [as]
Spain ponder Lippi option [Channel 4]
-ac
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1 comment:
Damn you, Aragones. If Puyol is out for more than a week...actually, forget about that, Barca can't even afford to lose him for a week.
Cue almost all Argentinean fans going crazy after losing. But really, how predictable was that result? Just look at the team selection.
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