Maradona on Song
Could Maradona be onto something?
It’s probably a bit to early to start singing the praise of Diego Maradona, but after a 2-0 win against France, his tenure as Argentina’s manager might be a success after all. The shock appointment of Maradona as national team coach by the AFA was risky, as he had little experience in football management. The onus was on Maradona to prove everyone wrong and he went about doing it the right way by not quitting after AFA president Julio Grandona refused to appoint former teammate Ruggeri as his assistant. Despite differences with the AFA, Maradona has gone about his duties by molding Argentina into a better defensive unit.
One of the enigma’s facing Argentina is its “average” back line. While the team is blessed with a wealth of attacking talent, defensively the team has failed to assert itself. Compared to the likes of Brazil, Italy, Germany or Spain, the Argentine defense is much weaker than its compatriots, as 35 year old Javier Zanetti is arguably the team’s best defender. To remedy this, Maradona has utilized a very strong defensive midfield position as cover. Like Benitez at Liverpool, Maradona plays with 2 holding midfielders whose sole duties are breaking down the opposition’s attacking threat. Against Scotland and France, Maradona’s holding of midfielders Gago and Mascherano bossed the midfield, thus allowing more freedom for Argentina’s lethal offensive unit.
The emergence of a better defensive unit will be the most important element if Argentina is to re-capture its glorious days as world champions. Like Spain proved in Euro 2008, attacking prowess begins from a solid defensive unit as the team conceded 3 goals in the competition. Using Mourinho’s Chelsea or Man Utd as blue prints, the mark of champions is their ability to play poorly and still win. If Argentina’s last two matches are anything to go by, Maradona is certainly on the right path.
And with Messi, Aguero and the hand of God on his side, only a brave man would bet against Maradona.
