With less than two weeks to go before their first match, coach Jose Pekerman is in danger of having star Lionel Messi miss its first game against Ivory Coast June 10 in Hamburg.
Messi was hit with a recurrence of a previous muscle tear and continues to occupy the sidelines. Even if Messi can return at some point, he hasn’t played in a competitive match in over a month and a half. So the question remains - If he comes back, how healed and how ready is he to be the impact player so many from the proud soccer country of Argentina expect him to be?
Messi was questioned by journalists early this week and in a calm tone explained - he was good enough to play about 45 minutes. One can interpret that two ways, He could be regaining his form and ready for action or he’s using hyperbole to make light of a rigid situation. There’s no question this puts even more media attention on the squad and doubts get cast, about their chances of moving out of Group C, without Messi in peak mode. It’s also a time for others to step up to the plate and answer the call, after all, this is Argentina we’re talking about.
It’s been almost two months since the star took to the field for a game, but Messi saw some action in last Wednesday’s friendly with the national senior side and the U-20 team, for what it’s worth. Lionel himself thinks the two month layoff will have given him the rest needed to help Argentina win it’s first World Cup in 20 years.
With the Messi situation in Argentina, all bets are off when it comes to predicting what will happen with the Argentine team come Germany. One thing is for sure, guys like Hernan Crespo, the young Carlos Tevez and others need their games in full stride when they get to Germany, or it could be a repeat of 2002, oh no, dare I remind the soccer community of that terrible upset.
Tottenham v Blackburn - Match Preview - 19 November 2006
Two sides looking for something to spark their seasons clash at Ewood Park on Sunday as 15th-place Blackburn hosts 12th-place Tottenham.
Rovers are favored to win at home at 2.50, and Spurs are set at 3.00. A draw is rated at 3.30.
Blackburn fought hard, but were shut out 1-0 at home by Manchester United last weekend. Blackburn were outshot 16-10, and were booked four times in the fixture.
Robbie Keane's 24th-minute penalty was not enough as Spurs were beaten 3-1 at Reading in their last league match. Spurs led in both shots and possession, but their defence could not hold firm.
Tottenham have won five and drawn twice of their past ten matches with Rovers, who hold a 10-9 lead in goals scored.
Messi was hit with a recurrence of a previous muscle tear and continues to occupy the sidelines. Even if Messi can return at some point, he hasn’t played in a competitive match in over a month and a half. So the question remains - If he comes back, how healed and how ready is he to be the impact player so many from the proud soccer country of Argentina expect him to be?
