Pundit's Corner: Emor Villa

Like most of Mexico, Record journalist Emor Villa isn't in agreement with Javier Aguirre's selection policy and is hoping for a change against Argentina. Villa votes for youth and argues the whole Mexican Football Federation set-up is hampered by shadowy figures on the side-line.

Who will win and why?

It's all up in the air although the prognostics favour the powerful Argentine attacking artillery. I had forecast that Mexico would reach the semi-finals where they would face Argentina, but having not finished first in Group A, it appears Mexico is condemned to elimination.
For me Argentina should win, but if Javier Aguirre and not Mario Carrillo (they say Carrillo is in charge of the tactics of el Tri)takes charge of the set up of the team, Mexico can bring the fight to Argentina, even with Messi, Higuain, Tevez and the whole Argetinian arsenal.

Who will play for Mexico?

Knowing the history of Aguirre, I'm sure not much will change. People say the assistant Mario Carrillo choses the team and if that is that case, what a disaster!
How can the manager let his assistant tell him how to play? Javier Aguirre already showed he's a good strategist in Spain, although defensive.
What's more, el Tri appear to be manipulated by other people that aren't on the bench.
In agreement with the interests of some media outlets (that make Mexican football rotten), the Mexico line-up will be: Óscar Pérez (goalkeeper), Francisco "Maza" Rodríguez, Héctor Moreno (centre backs), Carlos Salcido (left back), Ricardo Osorio (right back), Rafael Márquez y Gerardo Torrado (centre midfield), Efraín Juárez (midfield), Giovani Dos Santos, Carlos Vela and unfortunately, Guillermo Franco (forwards).

If you were Aguirre, how would you set up?

It's like the song "If I was Maradona!"
Mexico has the means to give a good fight against one of the best generations of footballers Argentina has produced. Today it's not like when Maradona was the standard bearer of the team. They might have got good results, but Valdano, Burruchaga and others don't compare with the technical quality that Higuain, Aguero, Milito, Tevez and the others have today.

But, Mexico also has it's best generation in recent years. In the team there are world Under-17 champions that already have an important trajectory at world level.

The line-up I'd put in is the following: Luis Michel (GK) - one-on-one he's better than el Conejo Perez and he reduces the angles for shots for attackers.
In defence I'd keep it the same: Maza, Moreno, Salcido and Osorio. I believe it's the best centre back partnership Mexico has had in its history. Rafa Marquez would play in central midfielder, next to Torrado. Those are indisputable.
Out wide I'd play Andres Guardado (left) and Pablo Barrera (right) with Giovani Dos Santos as a second striker. As the main centre forward I'd pick Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez.
But that line-up isn't likely to be seen, above all because of the way the team is run in our country.

Finally, I have two predictions. The first is that Guille France will play. Secondly, if he does, I'm sure Mexico will lose and it could be a thrashing. If Aguirre risks young blood, the penalty could be the end of this history (of losing).