Diego Maradona Makes Final Adjustments to Argentina's World Cup Roster

John Tilghman May 18, 2010

After all of the controversy surrounding his decision to leave out Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso from his list of 30, Diego Maradona must make what is now the most difficult decision of all: Give the 23 names who will travel to South Africa.

Despite all the criticism El Diez has received in the past week, Maradona has stood by his selections, and for the first time since taking over as manager, he has a set plan in place.

During an up and down qualifying campaign in which he called up over 100 players, Maradona dabbled with many different formations and strategies, but the former Napoli and Barcelona man seems to have settled on the side that beat Germany in Munich and Uruguay in Montevideo as his first choice 11.

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Here is how Maradona's squad is likely to break down when he releases his list tomorrow.

Goalkeepers

Sergio Romero is the unquestioned No. 1 after recovering from a knee injury that saw him miss the final months of the Dutch Eredivisie season. Romero has been at the AFA’s headquarters working out since the beginning of May and should be back to his best by the time Argentina face Nigeria on June 12.

His backup will be Catania man Mariano Andujar, who was a hero when Estudiantes won the 2009 Copa Libertadores. The third keeper will be Colon’s Diego Pozo, who has kept out the young and promising Adrian Gabbarini of Independiente due to his ability to fit in with the squad.

Defenders

At the back, Velez Sarsfield youngster Nicolas Otamendi is set to start at right back despite being a center back by trade. Otamendi is just 22, and Maradona feels that he has found a player who can lead the Argentine defense for years to come.

In the middle, Maradona has the luxury of calling on two center backs who will feature in this weekend’s Champions League Final in Martin Demichelis and Walter Samuel. Samuel has been a fixture in various “Serie A Team of the Season” lists, while Demichelis is finally back to full strength after recovering from a vicious elbow from German captain Michael Ballack that broke various facial bones.

At left back, Gabriel Heinze enters his second World Cup as a starter. Although maligned by members of the media, particularly those from Madrid, Heinze has now won a league title in three different countries—England, Spain, and France—and has been one of Marseille’s most consistent performers.

Roma’s Nicolas Burdisso looks to be the utility man off the bench with the capability of filling in at any position along the back. Estudiantes wingback Clemente Rodriguez will be an alternative for Maradona against more defensive teams in the group stages when he wants to use a full back that can get forward.

The surprise of the list seems to be Ariel “El Chino” Garce, who snuck into the list of 30 over the likes of Zanetti and Gabriel Milito. A champion various times at River Plate, Garce has never been a star player, but Maradona loves his heart and fighting spirit, while like Burdisso he has the versatility to play anywhere across the back.

Midfielders

Jonas Gutierrez is the perfect example of a player who transforms when playing for his country. Although Gutierrez is not the flashiest winger in the world, Maradona plans to use Jonas as his workhorse that combats attacking fullbacks like Nigeria’s Taye Taiwo, as well as reach the end line and send in crosses.

In the middle, captain Javier Mascherano will protect the back four, just as he did four years ago under Jose Pekerman. Playing a little farther forward will be Estudiantes captain Juan Sebastian Veron, who is in his third World Cup after missing out on Germany 2006, when Pekerman preferred to build his team around Juan Roman Riquelme.

Wide on the left, Angel Di Maria is expected to be one of the bright stars of the World Cup after being voted the Player of the Season in the Portuguese League for champions Benfica. Maxi Rodriguez looks to be a surprise pick to be an alternative to Jonas or Di Maria, but also due to his World Cup experience, having scored three goals, including a spectacular extra-time winner against Mexico, four years ago.

Palermo’s Javier Pastore, one of the best young talents in the game, is the only classic playmaker in Maradona’s side and will be a more offensive substitute for Veron.

Mario Bolatti of Fiorentina, scorer of the goal that assured Argentina of its qualification to South Africa, is the man who Maradona views as the backup for Mascherano, although Demichelis has experience playing in the “number five” position as well.

Forwards

FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi is the headliner in what is the strongest attack at the World Cup. After Messi scored 47 goals in all competitions, including 34 in La Liga, Argentina will be hoping that La Pulga has saved a few more strikes for South Africa.

His attacking partner will be Gonzalo “Pipita” Higuain, the leading scorer of Real Madrid, while Carlos Tevez of Manchester City could see significant playing time should Maradona decide to play with three forwards against the overly defensive Greek and South Korean teams.

Diego Milito of Inter Milan, scorer of the goal that clinched the Scudetto and the Copa Italia, is a fantastic option off the bench, while also the ideal like for like replacement for Higuain should the former River Plate man pick up a knock or suspension. Sergio “El Kun” Aguero of Atletico Madrid will join the squad late after disputing the Copa del Rey Final this Wednesday.

The last selection is that of Martin Palermo, the all-time leading scorer of Boca Juniors. Although Palermo has been made fun of to no end by the media and fans outside of Argentina, the man earned his spot for Argentina thanks to his last-second goal against Peru last October.

Although known solely for his three-penalty debacle against Colombia 11 years ago, there is perhaps no player in the world better suited to be thrown into the fray in the dying minutes of a close match.

Predicted Final List