International friendly match analysis: Argentina vs. Spain – Part 1
After an astonishing first half, it was seen that the Argentineans impressed the fans by scoring 3 goals. It was not "nothing" because they had scored 3 goals in the first half against a team that did not concede more than 1 goal throughout the FIFA World Cup 2010. Not only that, the Argentineans were also leading with 3 goals against a team that was recently crowned as World Champions and it was definitely a great accomplishment for the South Americans.
The Argentineans were playing Sergio Romero between the two poles while Martin Demichelis, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Zanetti and Gabriel Milito were the four full backs that the new Argentinean coach played. The difference was seen as "experience" walked on to the pitch for the Argentineans. Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Mascherano featured as holding midfielders with Lionel Messi on the right flank. Carlos Tevez featured as full forward along with Gonzalo Higuain. However it was Ever Banega who was the player who provided help from the left flank.
On the other hand, Vicente Del Bosque changed a few things round for the Spanish side. The first team was not playing as Iker Casillas was left on the bench and it was the Liverpool man Pepe Reina who took his place. Nacho Monreal, Gerard Pique, Carlos Marchena and Alvaro Arbeloa featured as full backs for the team as Sergio Ramos was also left to rest. Carlos Puyol did not feature because of his calf injury and the difference was well seen. Cesc Fabregas took Xavi Hernandez's place in the centre midfield while Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso, both featured as holding midfielders. Andres Iniesta was playing as an attacking midfielder as David Villa was playing on his favourite left wing position. It was David Silva who used to cut in to the middle of the pitch and used to switch places with Andres Iniesta on the right flank.
The new combination was not really working out for the Spanish side as Lionel Messi totally ran around the Spanish defence with the ball at his feet and no one really "man marked" him even though everyone knows that he is an incredible striker and a vital asset when it comes down to scoring goals.
In the second half, a change was seen and it was pretty much obvious that it was going to happen as Pepe Reina walked off and Victor Valdes took his place. So, another Barcelona player was added onto the field. Jesus Navas was also introduced by the Spanish side as the Argentineans made no change during the early minutes of the second half even though Carlos Tevez suffered a "little" knock while scoring the third goal.
In the 26th minute Cambiasso took down Arbeloa right outside the 18 yard box and the full back helped the Spaniards win a free kick which Fabregas was took marvellously but Llorente did not really manage to head the ball in. Llorente was on for David Villa now and Iniesta and Silva were off the pitch as well. Soon, another free kick was awarded right outside the box as Fabregas was taken down again. The free kick was very much intriguing and it was Fabregas who took it but the ball did not even manage to hit the target.
The Argentineans were now toying with the Spaniards while Carlos Tevez suffered another knock in the 49th minute. The Spaniards were now trying to combine well with each other as they started their "tiki taka" style of play. With Villa off, it was seen that the Spaniards were lacking that spark but Jesus Navas was the one who was being a threat from the right wing. In the 50th minute he crossed a perfect ball for Llorente but he again did not really manage to hit the target.
In the 51st minute, Argentinean players were seen warming up on the touchline and the new Argentinean coach was definitely thinking something different as Tevez was seen limping on the pitch. Lionel Messi, on the other hand, was being a threat to the Spaniards; soon a clever ball from him was taken by Cambiasso and was back headed to Higuain who almost found the net but it was pushed away by Victor Valdes.
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