Tuesday 22 June 2010

Aguirre must take some of the blame: Chicharito? Barrera?

With the press conferences yet to take place, on the surface it seems Mexico manager made selection errors that cost the team today.

That statement has to be put in the context that Javier Aguirre himself has said this is Mexico's best generation of young players in its history: Chicharito, Efrain Juarez, Andres Guardado, Pablo Barrera, Giovani Dos Santos, Hector Moreno, Carlos Vela, Guillermo Ochoa.

Only one of the above played 90 minutes against Uruguay.

Andres Guardado was inexplicably taken off at halftime after being at the forefront of most good things that came from Mexico in the first half; Chicharito started as sub and only got half an hour playing time; Barrera came on at halftime (for Guardado) and Moreno was taken off.

It hardly looks like Aguirre has faith in the young crop of players Mexico has.

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez looked lively and broke the deadlock against France and Pablo Barrera played exceptionally well when he came on for Carlos Vela.

Playing 33-year-old Franco and 37-year-old Blanco upfront together hindered the team in the first half. The ball evaded Blanco as he struggled to keep pace with a fast and engaging first period. Franco held the ball up as usual but the lack of mobility upfront was blatant and the frustration tangible in Mexican supporters in one Guadalajara bar.

It will be a massive game against Argentina Sunday and perhaps Aguirre would be advised to go for youth in attempting to avoid the same old Mexican problem of raising the nation's expectations only to go out in the Round of 16.

4 comments:

  1. Guardado must have been hurt. That's the only reason I can think of for taking out the only 5 star player of the first half. It's too late to give up on Franco and Blanco should be a minute 70 sub in every game. Only good thing out of this game is that neither Ochoa nor Michel could have stopped that header...only Maza.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Apparently Aguirre has come out and said that Guardado was fine and the switch was tactical.

    Blanco could've made a real difference coming on after 70 mins. The game had slowed down and Mexico had to open up the Uruguay defence. I thought it was very strange that he started and a mistake by Aguirre.

    I also think Chicharito should be given a chance from the start. He's the in-form player, he's hungry and looks dangerous when he's on the pitch.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hope you can read spaish! =) http://periodismoindie.blogspot.com/2010/06/mexico-0-uruguay-1.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. I still don't know why Aguirre keeps on omitting the Chicharito in favour of Franco, who has spoiled SO MANY chances!

    ReplyDelete