I will sadly have to miss this game, which promises to be a counter to those who consider South American World Cup qualifying to be somewhat of an overly-long, almost ceremonial event. Normally, that's exactly what it is, but now we have Uruguay, the football historian's wet dream side, in a do or die River Plate encounter. Elsewhere I'm sure you will read much on la garra charúa and how it is almost certain to destroy Argentina's chances tonight, headed as they are by a clueless Maradona, but for now I will mention two things in relation to my book of the month, Jonathan Wilson's imperious Inverting the Pyramid: A History of Football Tactics.
In relation to the 1930 inaugural World Cup final which saw Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in Montevideo (Fredorrarci has helpfully posted up highlights of that match today), Wilson theorizes that Argentina's individual creativity could not completely make up for their lack of defensive shape. The irony of course is that today it almost the opposite; Maradona's defensive paranoia, exhibited in particular against Peru when he felt it necessary to sub off Higuain just as soon as he'd scored to shore up the defense, is part of what is holding back this Argentina side. Perhaps Diego is well-aware Argentina has a dearth of solid defenders and is desperate to paper over the cracks, but maybe, as often happens with former players-turned-managers, he is simply overcompensating for lack of personal experience.
Either/or, but tonight—if we want to be hyperbolic about it, and this being a blog and not a Guardian op-ed, we do—could see a brief re-alignment of South American footballing power, or business as usual, with a triumphant Maradona leaving the job with his reputation, and Argentina's World Cup aspirations intact. I hope you enjoy the game. I'll be singing Brahms Requiem, which might be a fitting musical choice should you watch it on mute.
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