Simeone to the rescue!

[Ben]

Simeone-New Argentina manager!
​

Diego Simeone is the new Argentina manager. The 39 year old comes into to rescue Argentina's world cup hopes after Diego Maradona's fars of a World Cup qualifying campaign so far. Simeone, who has 106 caps for the Argentinians said he is relishing the opportunity to take Argentina to the World Cup. The Argentine fans are said to be quite happy at the appointment with the general thinking among them being that Simeone can only do better then Maradona. Simeone's contract managing San Lorenzo will be terminated and he will get straight down to business with the national team, but can he bring success to the South American nation?..
​

Simeone in his first press conference as boss of Argentina!​

 

[IanC]

I have just started an Argentina story as well. Will follow yours as well.

 

[Ben]

I have just started an Argentina story as well. Will follow yours as well.

Haha I know mate, I will also follow yours

---------- Post added at 05:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 AM ----------

Maradona critiscises Simeone
​

In the wake of the appointment of Diego Simeone, Diego Maradona says he is shocked and dissapointed at the decision from the Argentinian FA. Maradona's contract was terminated the night before the new appointment and he reportedly got very drunk in his apartment in Buenos Aires that night. The press told us that he awoke at around 9 A.M to go the toilet but when he woke up he saw that Simeone was named as the new manager on Noticias de Deportes (Sports news). The hotel supposedly explained to the press that they heard shouting from his room and when a member of staff went to check on things Maradona spat at him and told him to get away.
​

Maradona at a Boca Juniors match yesterday! Has he been mistreated?​

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1R2TSEH_en&tbs=isch:1

 

[TheVillan]

I'm following >;D, also putting Maradona in a bad light mate

 

[Ben]

I'm following >;D, also putting Maradona in a bad light mate

Yeah Just a story though, IMO Maradona is a legend, I will update this story soon, I haven't had time to play FM recently.

 

[Ben]

Simeone's squad!​

Simeone has names his Argentina squad to face Russia in their next match. It is only a friendly so the Argentinian will probably experiment and many players are also though to only be allowed 45 minutes of football because of their clubs.​

Goalkeepers: Leo Franco, Ustari, Romero
Bit inexperienced in this department but Leo Franco should do a good job until Abbodanzieri comes back from injury. Ustari and Romero are young and should be good keepers in the future.

Defenders: Samuel, G.Rodriguez, Burdisso, Garay, Zanetti, Ferrari, Insua, Ansaldi
Good defence, mix of experience of youth, a few injured though including Demichelis and Milito, solid though even without them.

Midfielders: Mascherano, Cambiasso, Banega, Veron, Aimar, Di Maria, Jonas, Messi, M.Rodriguez
Decent midfield, got a few injuries here too. A lot of experience here however if Veron doesn't perform I think there could be a lack of creativity and we might have to rely too much on the wingers, namely Messi.

Forwards: Aguero, Tevez, Higuain, Lavezzi, Milito, J.Cruz
Quality strikeforce. Lack of height though, that is why I have included old veteran Julio Cruz and Milito is also decent in the air. Cruz also adds experience and I feel I have some of the best strikers in the world here!

Notable injuries:
Juan Pablo Carrizo
Gabri Milito
Martin Demichelis
Lucho Gonzales
Pablo Piatti

Players left out:
Gabriel Heinze
Fabricio Coloccini
Cata Diaz
Pablo Zabaleta
Fernando Gago
Luciano Galletti
Mario Santana
Andres D'Alessandro
Mauro Zarate
Diego Buonanotte
Javier Pastore
Lisandro Lopez
Javier Saviola
Hernan Crespo
Fernando Cavenaghi

Fernando No-go-Gago is left out of Simeone's first Argentina squad!​

New captain!​

Javier Mascherano has been replaced as captain of Argentina by vastly experienced Inter player Javier Zanetti. Simeone said he felt Zanetti was more experienced and felt Mascherno was still a bit young. He also said that in his opinion Zanetti is more professional. Mascherano has been named as vice captain.​

New captain-Inter star Javier Zanetti!​

Russia V Argentina​

Russia
Captain: Andrey Arshavin
Key man: Igor Akinfeev​

Argentina
Captain: Javier Zanetti
Key man: Lionel Messi ​

Odds: Russia 11/8F Draw 9/4 Argentina 11/5​

Sky Sports
Russia are favourites to win the game at home but Argentina have the better team. They have real game changers and I think they will have enough to see of Russia.
Prediciton- Russia 1-2 Argentina​

 

[Ben]

A decent first game in charge

Russia 1-1 Argentina

We drew, 1-1. We dominated though but couldn't turn our chances into goals. I will seriously consider playing 2 up front next game though, Tevez was poor as a lone striker, although Aguero played well just behind him. I might play 1 holding midfielder, 1 attacking midfielder with 2 up top. After their goal the defence responded well and their attacking threat was always quickly dealt with.

MOTM
Nicolas Burdisso

A top notch defensive display from the 28 year old!​

 

[Ben]

Next up:

​

Next up for Diego Simeone and Argentina is their first competetive match in the South American world cup qualifiers. This match is vital for Argentina if they lose it they could face a shaky run in to qualify for the World Cup. ​

 

[TheVillan]

Awesome mate, that's really good story. Good read so far, cannot wait to read the Brazil match!
Have you got MSN?

 

[Deleted member 79730]

good idea for a story mate, simeone was a fantastic player, one of the best the world has ever seen imo, good luck

 

[daniel_kg]

Awsome story up to now man, making me think of starting a game with an international side. Keep it up man

---------- Post added at 04:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:49 AM ----------

good idea for a story mate, simeone was a fantastic player, one of the best the world has ever seen imo, good luck

Totally agree...........except for getting beckham sent off in 98.

 

[TheVillan]

Daniel, I am also thinking about starting an International story, do you have MSN?

 

[IanC]

Good story so far. Keep it up.

 

[*Paul*]

Well done so far. I played as Argentina on the previous patch and I played:
GK: Romero
WBR: Zabaleta
WBL: Ansaldi
CB: Samuel
SW: Garay
DMFs: Mascherano and Cambiasso
AMR: Messi
AML: Di Maria
STs: Milito and Aguero
That's just my opininon though. Gago is another good player. Good luck.

 

[Ben]

Well done so far. I played as Argentina on the previous patch and I played:
GK: Romero
WBR: Zabaleta
WBL: Ansaldi
CB: Samuel
SW: Garay
DMFs: Mascherano and Cambiasso
AMR: Messi
AML: Di Maria
STs: Milito and Aguero
That's just my opininon though. Gago is another good player. Good luck.

Yeah, Argentina have loads of depth and there is loads of different teams you could choose from it is just peoples opinions I suppose. Maradona used over 50 players in his World Cup qualifying campaign!




Thanks for the comments lads, will update in a couple of hours or tomorrow around 6 PM

 

[Nixon]

What about Martin Palermo?! Argentinian legend!

Good story, hope you do well against Brazil

 

[Lewis]

I'm liking what I see so far, keep it up

 

[Ben]

Thanks lads

I will name my squad in 10 minutes

No Messi!​

Lionel Messi misses vital qualifiers against Brazil and Paraguay with a sprained ankle he picked up against Espanyol.​

Simeone's squad!​

Diego Simeone has named his 26 man squad for his next 2 games in charge. The games are massive for Argentina as they attempt to make the World Cup. Brazil and Paraguay are the opposition.​

Goalkeepers: Abbondanzieri, Romero, Leo Franco
Abbondanzieri is back and will probably start. He is vastly experienced but Romero is playing very well over in Holland for AZ.​

Defenders: Burdisso, C.Diaz, Garay, G.Rodriguez, Zanetti, Zabaleta, Insua, Ansaldi
Quite weak to be honest after losing Samuel and Demichelis still being injured. Will they cope with the attacking threat of the South American flair. Brazil and Paraguay will be dangerous, put Diaz in for experience rather than Coloccini.​

Midfielders: Mascherano, Cambiasso, Gago, Aimar, Di Maria, Jonas, Santana, M.Rodriguez
Very strong defensively in the midfeld however losing Messi is dissapointing and I hope the players I pick can put in a good performance, a change of formation means Lucho Gonzalez and Banega miss out.​

Forwards: Aguero, Tevez, Lavezzi, Higuain, Bergessio, Cruz, Milito
Arguably our strongest department in my opinion, Masch, Cambiasso and Gago would have something to say about that but these lads are all quality. St Ettiene striker Gonzalo Bergessio makes the squad after scoring 5 in 4 games in France.​

Notable injuries:
Walter Samuel
Gabri Milito
Martin Demichelis
Juan Seb Veron
Lionel Messi
Fernando Cavenaghi​

Players left out:
Oscar Ustari
Gabriel Heinze
Fabricio Coloccini
Paulo Ferrari
Lucho Gonzalez
Ever Banega
Luciano Galletti
Andres D'Alessandro
Mauro Zarate
Diego Buonanotte
Javier Pastore
Lisandro Lopez
Javier Saviola
Hernan Crespo​

 

[TheVillan]

Kickass Squad, I can't believe it, NO MESSI! :O

 

[Ben]

Argentina V Brazil​

Argentina
Captain: Javier Zanetti
Key man: Carlos Tevez
Brazil
Captain: Lucio
Key man: Pato​

Odds: Argentina 11/5 Draw 11/5 Brazil EvensF​

Sky sports
Brazil are slight favourites in what should be a close and thrilling encounter even without a couple of the worlds best players Lionel Messi and Kaka. It could go either way but a draw is probably the most likely option.
Predicition- Argentina 1-1 Brazil​