With just three days left until Mexico v South Africa kicks off, the time is about right to assess just where exactly Mexico are at.
Except, it's not that easy. Against Italy last time out Mexico played like a team with a genuine chance of causing an upset against one of the "grandes." But with the pressure on and with half the likely starting eleven under 25, there has to be some caution.
A forward three of Giovani Dos Santos, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and Carlos Vela, with a combined age of just 63, is the future of Mexican football and an extremely exciting prospect. This competition may have come a little too early though.
If the friendly games are anything to go by, the above three names will be key. Missed chances in the games against England and Holland led to defeats when Mexico were arguably the better team.
Behind them Mexico are extremely solid, with the experienced Gerardo Torrado and Rafa Marquez the spine of the team. No team will expect an easy game against Mexico with those two present.
Coach Javier Aguirre is notorious for keeping his likely line-up close to his chest and the formation may change between 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2 as the tournament progresses and depending on the opposition. Certainly that's what the friendly warm-up games point to. Either that or Aguirre didn't have a clue as to his best formation, as some Mexican pundits believe. The key to the formation changes is captain Rafa Marquez who has alternated between centre-back and a defensive midfield role.
Expect to see Cuauhtemoc Blanco come on for the last 20-30 minutes in every game. 'El Cuau' is still very much loved in Mexico and can provide that little bit of magic. At 37 and visibly overweight for a player at this level, his role will be restricted to cameos from the bench.
Prediction: Round of 16. Why?
Mexico still lack a couple of players of genuine, proven class. A second-placed finish in Group A will likely see them play Argentina, where they will surely fall. If they can win Group A, they have a good chance to get to the Quarter Finals for the first time outside of Mexico.
This blog's starting line-up (4-4-2):
Goalkeeper: Luis Michel
Defence: Efrain Juarez, Ricardo Osorio, Javier 'Maza' Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido
Midfield: Giovani, Rafa Marquez, Gerardo Torrado, Andres Guardado
Forwards: Chicharito, Carlos Vela
NB. Likely starting line-up against South Africa will probably include Oscar Perez in goal, and a 4-3-3 formation with Giovani joining Chicharito and Vela in the forward three.
Goalkeepers: I think Luis Michel, although he lacks experience at this level, he has been exceptional for a number of years now for Chivas and deserves his chance. He's also very professional. Aguirre, however, picked 37-year-old Perez in Japan/S.Korea in 2002 and will probably retain faith in him, despite his low stature. Guillermo Ochoa has been dodgy the last few months after playing in almost all the qualifying games.
Why 4-4-2? Mexico look more solid, especially with Marquez and Torrado together in the centre of the park giving the ball to one of Guardado, Giovani, Vela and Chicharito.
Monday, 7 June 2010
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nice piece, i do agree that Mexico's campaign is mostly determined on the opposition they face, and the accuracy of their strikers.
ReplyDeleteCheers man,
ReplyDeleteIt's strange, I think if the forwards really click we could expect Mexico to cause some upsets, but they haven't so far in the friendlies I've watched, even when they beat Italy. That game should've been 3-0 or 4-0.
Unfortunately, there's really only four players that play in every possible lineup (you pick the four). Apart from those four, Aguirre really needs to put in a lineup based on the opposition. Thus the 'other seven' will and should vary based on the opponent which hopefully Aguirre and his staff have scouted and will adjust accordingly. If for some reason Bofo starts a match, don't be shocked, just understand that Aguirre felt his skill set matches up well with the opposition on that day. Although we all want to talk about a first XI, I don't think Mexico has that luxury.
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