Official ArgentinaThread.

[Gunner]

Maradona confirms final squad

Coloccini fails to make cut

Last updated: 19th May 2010

Maradona: Squad decided

Diego Maradona has confirmed his final 23-man squad for the World Cup finals.

And Maradona has revealed once surprise in his selection with Colon's Ariel Garce winning a place on the plane to South Africa.

30-year-old defender has just one cap to his name, which came against Haiti two years ago.

Newcastle's Fabricio Coloccini was one of those from the initial 30-man squad that failed to make the cut.

Those who also failed to make the final selection were Newell's Old Boys defender Juan Manuel Insaurralde, Jose Sosa of Estudiantes, Olympiakos midfielder Jesus Datolo, Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lanus' Sebastian Blanco and Juan Mercier of Argentinos Juniors.

The final squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona).

[MrJibbles]

Sorry but LOL again at taking Palermo, the guy is beyond limited.

Still shocked at no Zanetti and Cambiasso

[Gunner]

Well might not be such a bad move, he gives them a different option init.

The other 5 strikers are all small and quite similar in style.

Bit like England with Heskey/Crouch.

[MrJibbles]

The Argentina coach Diego Maradona insulted an injured cameraman after accidentally running over his leg ahead of announcement of the albiceleste World Cup squad.

Driving to yesterday's news conference in Buenos Aires, the 1986 World Cup winner was surrounded by journalists. One was hit and he fell to the ground.

According to a witness, Maradona's car rolled over the lower part of the cameraman's leg. "What an a**hole you are," Maradona shouted from the car. "How can you put your leg there where it can get run over, man?" Paramedics attended to the cameraman, who was taken away for further treatment.

The 49-year-old coach then delivered the names of the 23-man squad for the World Cup to the media. Maradona's World Cup preparation was disrupted in March when he needed minor facial surgery after being bitten by his dog.

Good ol' Diego

[M.Dot]

Just came in to lmfao.

[Lenny]

Well might not be such a bad move, he gives them a different option init.

The other 5 strikers are all small and quite similar in style.

Bit like England with Heskey/Crouch.

Diego Milito

[Lieutenant]

Swear Aguero and Tevez are basically the same player. Tevez is a touch more scatty and Aguero is a bit easier on the eye but they are so f*ck*ng similar.

/

I don't really follow football from that side of the world but whats the likely formation and starting 11?

Wouldn't know who to pick out of the strikers

[Michel Kane]

f*ck the strikers.

I'm tryna figure how the f*ck is that midfield gonna work.

Imagine if Mascherano got injured, lol.

[Mame Biram Diouf]

i keep coming back and expectin cambiasso to be there same with dinho and brazil

smh

[Gunner]

Well might not be such a bad move, he gives them a different option init.

The other 5 strikers are all small and quite similar in style.

Bit like England with Heskey/Crouch.

Diego Milito

Aerial ability , hold up play , target man.

I Wouldn't consider that 2 be d milito.

Militio, more of a finisher, feed off of scraps also. A striker.

[Dejan Savicevic]

Well might not be such a bad move, he gives them a different option init.

The other 5 strikers are all small and quite similar in style.

Bit like England with Heskey/Crouch.

Diego Milito

Aerial ability , hold up play , target man.

s

I Wouldn't consider that 2 be d milito.

Militio, more of a finisher, feed off of scraps also. A striker.

Chatting S.

[Heero Yuy]

no hes not still. Milto is not a natural target player, he can fill that role but then you do lose him at what he does best which is finishing. Hes probably the best natural finisher in the squad with Hig.

[Mr Q]

Lol, their matches are going to be a madness. Can't wait.

[MrJibbles]

Heard there was talk that Maradona was close to dropping Milito before he named the 23.

Looks like he'll go with 4 centre backs in defence.

[Gambino]

Wouldn't know who to pick out of the strikers

Having the same problems with the Fantasy Teams. Got Higuain on one of them but I'm unsure if he is in a starting 11 for Argentina.

[Guest Portuguese]

Wouldn't know who to pick out of the strikers

Having the same problems with the Fantasy Teams. Got Higuain on one of them but I'm unsure if he is in a starting 11 for Argentina.

Keep him for the group stages after that drop him

[Lenny]

no hes not still. Milto is not a natural target player, he can fill that role but then you do lose him at what he does best which is finishing. Hes probably the best natural finisher in the squad with Hig.

What are you talking about? Why would you lose him at finishing?

Argentina aren't some direct long ball playing team either, they just need a player with a presence and a bit of height who can keep hold of the ball and bring people into play.

Intelligence/awareness and good use of the ball can compensate for not being a 'natural taret player' and be equally as effective.

Milito will do that and still bag his share of goals and he doesn't just feed off scraps, he creates his own chances too.

Can't believe the guy saying he doesn't have hold up play, what was he doing throughout Inter's CL run?

IMO Palermo isn't required unless Milito gets injured.

C/s Mike Kane, their midfield isn't saying much balance wise, I'm expecting their team shape to be a bit f*cked.

[Guest Medic]

I'm thinking along these lines..

romero

burdisso or jonas, samuel, otamendi, heinze

maxi/jonas, mascherano, veron, di maria

messi

milito/higuain/aguero/tevez

Although not having zanetti and cambiasso is a joke, will probs cost them the tournament.