For whatever reason the two biggest matches of the day took place within a time gap of just 15 minutes of each other. Here are some inferences that can be drawn from each match. As both the matches were not only a clash of 2 heavyweights each but each featured one of my 2 favorite teams I couldn't help but watch both together on my laptop screen resizing both the browsers to occupy half the screen each. That means that I could not watch either match with sufficient concentration. Also the transmission was a little disturbed at times. So please be tolerant of what is written below as some conclusions can be mistaken or at least hasty. At the same time please feel free to point out the mistakes while making comments.
For the first time since taking charge of the Argentina national team Diego Maradona not only seemed to get a few things right but it also seemed like the team is going somewhere. In effect it was just one tweak that made the difference and that was making Messi play further behind as the play maker rather than a striker. This in effect changed the previously used energetic 4-4-2 formation to a more technical 4-2-3-1. Now Veron and Mascherano played deeper in midfield with the latter acting as the protector and the former a deep lying passer in the mold of Pirlo or Xabi Alonso. The play making duties previously assigned to Veron now fell on Messi's shoulders which is not only much fairer on Veron's aging legs but let's be honest which Argentina fan on earth doesn't want to see that. Messi put in a performance that was at least good enough to prove that he can and will play well for the national team if given a chance to do so. Now people in Argentina should completely stop getting after him and recognize the fact that he is their greatest hope. Playing in this position is just what the reigning world player of the year needs to aim to become the best player at WC 2010. In Higuain Argentina have a clinical striker who can make good use of any chance created. Angel Di Maria, who first came to prominence in Olympics 2008, on the left flank seems to be one of the hitherto missing links that is now in place. His ability to control the ball and move past defenders is not only great to watch but also an asset to the team. The importance of Jonas on the right flank cannot be overstated. While lacking the technical finesse of Di Maria Jonas often cuts back to help the team out defensively which is crucial. So in effect with Jonas not going forward much and Messi shifting a little to the right the formation sometimes plays out like a 4-3-3. The central defensive partnership of Demichellis and Samuel looked solid and assured even though both of them picked up a booking each. It was not a perfect performance by any means but perhaps the best performance and result under Maradona. Beating 3 time world champions Germany in their own back yard is not something to be scoffed at.
While Argentina seem to have taken a few steps forward it seems that the eternal worshipers of efficiency Germany had quite surprisingly taken a few steps back. There are quite a few problems. Team play is not developed well enough with some of the brightest talents who are new to the national setup making it look like a team in transition. Rene Adler's horrifying mistake in what was after all a high profile match means that the position of goal keeper does not look assured. The strikers have not been firing. And to add to all this the coach Joachim Loew seems to be at loggerheads with the German Football Federation. The team last night found it really difficult against a technically superior Argentina team. However Germany is not one to give up without a fight. Since they could not match their rivals in the football played they resorted to continuous tackling with a few tackles harsh enough to seriously injure players but thankfully that didn't happen. Based on last night's evidence this team does not look a world cup contender. But then it's Germany we are talking about. We can bet our bottom dollar that the Germany that shows up once the world cup starts will be vastly improved from the one of last night. However there is a lot of work to do in the next 3 months or so and who knows that better than the Germans.
It had been billed as a mismatch by some. That sounds too audacious a comment to make when two huge football powers clash. Yet those comments proved to be on the money. Not only did Spain record their first victory in France in 40 years and by a healthy 2 goal margin but they did it virtually without breaking a sweat. Spain are clearly the best passing side in the world and are simply mesmeric when in full flow. The match was killed in the first half itself with two well taken goals. There were times in the match which could be termed as what in England is called a walk in the park. In the second half Spain actually conceded possession needlessly at times, misplaced a few passes and were out-muscled off the ball at times. Yet that is hardly significant because clearly the players were conserving energy and saving themselves from injuries. There was nothing left to prove against an opponent that just wasn't in the same class and whom they are very unlikely to meet in WC 2010. With all the raging debates regarding who out of Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres should be in the starting 11, it seems that both of them will have to sit on the bench. It's too big a sacrifice for two of the world's best players but one that they must make for the larger good of the team. Del Bosque seems to have understood that Spain plays best in a 4-2-3-1. Also even in that system especially since Marcos Senna who was very impressive at Euro 2008 is no longer that fit or in form the Spain coach has decided to use 2 defensively minded midfielders instead of 1. Neither of Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets have a physically intimidating presence but they are both used to this deep lying role and as a bonus are very good passers of the ball. This also makes it easier for them to interchange duties with either one staying back and the other going forward to join the attack. With this additional security the front four is simply like a symphony at its best. Another point that Del Bosque seems to have worked on is ensuring that no one in the team is indispensable. Even the very best players have a ready made replacement ready. Xavi is clearly the talisman but in his absence Fabregas is ready to play that role. Villa is perhaps the best striker in the world but Torres is very close behind. The combination of Iniesta and Silva on either flank is a pure joy but Navas and Mata are worthy replacements from the bench. Even in defense the partnership of Puyol and Pique is wonderful but there is also Raul Albiol waiting on the bench. Does this mean all the problems that I had previously pointed out have been taken care of? Not really but what's heartening is the conscious effort that has been put in trying to redress some of them. Perhaps one writer on Goal.com was right that instead of playing France, Spain should have played a physically imposing opponent to see how far they have been able to conquer their own demons. Then again let's not underestimate the significance of this victory which is another feather in the well decorated cap of the Spanish national team.
Still last night was not so much about the excellence of Spain as it was about the haplessness of France. Team work, organization and team play were conspicuous by their absence. The team was so devoid of spark that it did not look like a world cup contender but rather as a team still struggling to qualify. Last night's display will give more credence to statements that this team does not deserve to be at the world cup. One particular incident perhaps describes this performance best. Some time in the second half Spain now sitting on a 2 goal lead and playing much more carelessly lost the ball 3 times in succession but the ease with which they got it back with France unable to do anything was baffling to say the least. And while all this was going on the hot seat was occupied by a man so completely inert that there are no words left for him. Mr. Raymond Domenech made no changes for a long time even though his side was trailing by 2 goals. Once the changes came they were essentially like for like replacements with no attempt being made by the coach to change the clearly not working formation and tactics. Only Malouda seemed to have added a bit of spark and he did hit the post but it was too little too late. Going by France's display there is absolutely no reason why very competent teams like Uruguay and Mexico should not fancy their chances of eliminating the French in the group stage itself. South Africa may not be at that level yet but they are the hosts and the hosts almost invariably do well at a world cup. Of course once France is eliminated Domenech will be sacked but that's just not enough. It's only fair that the entire French Football Federation be dissolved and recreated with completely new personnel because simply put they have failed their nation. The international media had found their decision of retaining Domenech after Euro 2008 staggering and nothing has since happened to even challenge that belief.
So based on the performances and results of the last few months here's how I think the top 9 national teams should be ranked. Then again this only reflects the present and a lot can change between now and when the world's greatest sporting show actually begins.
1. Brazil
2. Spain
3. England
4. Netherlands
5. Argentina
6. Germany
7. Portugal
8. Italy
9. France
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