In the beginning of the match, Bielsa played with three forwards: Ortega-Bati-Kily... but as the match went on, Kily moved backwards to the centre left midfield with Ortega partnering Batigol up front. If you ask me, the line-up was not bad, but it could have been better if we didn't have some injuries. I would have preferred Sorin to play on the left, with Redondo in the middle, and Claudio up front.
I have to admit, the first half was a disaster for Argentina. They were pressed by the English who were very enthusiastic from the start (who can blame them?). The main headline of the night was undoubtedly the discovery of a new English star: Heskey. He was sensational, causing lots of problems for the Argie defence. Sensini, with all his experience and reputation, was humiliated when Bielsa made a desperate first half substitution: Pochetino on for Sensini to calm Heskey down.
Anyway, Shearer had the best chances of the match. In the first ten minutes or so, he headed a ball wide of the goal from a corner kick. Towards the middle of the half, Heskey got passed his marker on the left wing sprinted into the box, got passed another defender, and sent a smart low cross towards Shearer running down the middle. For some reason, Shearer fell to the floor and could only attempt to put the ball in with his knee (sending the ball wide). In this first half, Argentina's best players were Chamot and Ayala in defence, and Ortega, kily, Simeone and Zanetti in the middle.
Ayala was everywhere in defence intersepting passes and crosses. Chamot gave Shearer a hard time, as well as Heskey at times. Pochetino was succesfull at keeping Heskey a bit more quiet since his entry. Ortega made many fancy dribbles with his famous twists and turns, and his understanding with Veron was very entertaining. Kily and Zanetti on the wings were the best, always looking lively, and active, especially Kily. Actually, he was the only player that got a chance at goal for the Argentines... and he created it himself. He managed to steel the ball on the corner of the box, beautifully played around with the English defenders, and sent a powerful shot at Seaman who was only able to push it upwards and then catch it again.
Simeone in the middle worked hard, and showed why he is always named captain. He's too important. Batistuta was quiet the whole match as the English defence marked him too tightly. Argentina weren't able to supply him with the right balls. Ortega did give him a good ball sending him one on one with Seaman, but the referee called offside (which i don't think was right).
Veron was very dissapointing in the first half. His passes were very inaccurate and he made many mistakes. His long balls almost never reached their targets, but his short passes were good (not perfect as we know them to be).
In general, the English were the more impressive side in the first half, although they always failed to hit the target. Cavallero was never tested. Argentina's defence was very well organized, especially after Pochetino's addition. Arrabuarena was average. He's a quick player, enthusiastic, with lots of stamina... but not as good as Sorin.
The second half was morely Argentina's half. Veron improved and played like the Veron we know in the days of the WC 98, but with less dependence on him of course. His passes were more accurate, and he was able to control the midfield when he had the ball. Simeone was always there in the middle to help him out. Zanetti was a main contributer on the right, blocking many passes and bringing the ball forward very quickly. However, Kily was the best among all of them. He worked hard all night, intercepting passes, counter-attacking, bringing danger, and especially shooting. Ortega was unable to do his magic as he was more tightly marked.
Possession was mostly for Argentina in England's half, and England could do nothing more than rely on counter attacks and the brilliance of Heskey. Argentina were pressing during the first ten minutes of the second half, and had a good chance to score. Kily recieved a pass on the left side of the box, intelligently got passed his marker, and sent a fierce low shot with the outside of his foot... unfortunately, Seaman managed to save it. The play before that was very nice, and it would have been a great goal had Kily's shot passed the keeper.
A few minutes later, Batistuta sent in a typical Beckham curling cross into the box, and Ortega was seconds late to tap it in with his stretched leg. Batistuta was substituted on 55 minutes, and Crespo came in to replace him. It was a logical move by Bielsa since Bati wasn't having his best of nights. For 20 minutes or so, the match became boring with no real chances. Argentina always looked the better side as they controlled more of the midfield, mainly through Veron and Simeone. Arrabuarena got injured and Vivas came in to replace him. Vivas played well on the offense, and wasn't very much tested defensively. Believe it or not, he created the best chance of the entire match with a smart pass. Kily Gonzalez on the left wing saw Crespo and Vivas in the box far away. He sent in a long and high ball. Vivas jumped up high over the defender and tricked him by cleverly heading it to Crespo on his left in the box. Crespo recieved the ball, put the ball passed his defender, placing himself with a wide open goal in front of him (Seaman between the posts of course). Unfortunately and surprisingly, his swinging left foor missed the ball. Had he hit it, he would have surely tore the net!!
The last close chace for Argentina came from Kily Gonzalez (as usual). He recieved the ball outside the box by maybe 5 meters.... seeing himself clear for a shot, he took his chances, and sent a fierce low drive. The ball got passed the diving Seaman, but bounced 2-3 inches wide of the post. Heskey was substituted, against the will of the fans. Cole came in to replace him, and he had the best chance for England in the match. His shot from just inside the box on the right was saved by Cavallero.
The match ended 0-0 but displayed excellent football from both sides. Playing at home against the team that sent them out of the WC, England tried very hard to win, but just couldn't create any real goal-scoring chances. Emile Heskey is expected to be the next big thing for England. The match was so tense and competent that there were tough fouls everywhere by both sides. There were more than 5 bookings altogether, and one of them was for Beckham early in the match.
In my opinion, it was a satisfactory game for Argentina considering they were playing away to a country who was in desperate need for revenge. They held up well and rose to the occasion displaying attractive football, especially with their neat short passes just outside the box. I'd say Kily Gonzalez was Argentina's best player.
Here are my ratings:
Cavallero 6, Ayala 6.5, Chamot 6, Sensini 5 (Pochetino 6), Zanetti 7,
Simeone 6, Arrabuarena 5.5, Veron 6.5, Ortega 6.5, Kily Gonzalez 7.5,
Batistuta 5.5, Crespo 5.
Man of the match: Heskey
