Tevez ready to lead Maradona's line
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
PRETORIA, June 8 (AFP): s Argentina blew hot and cold in their World Cup qualifiers but if Carlos Tevez has his way Diego Maradona's men will go in all guns blazing in their Group B opener against Nigeria Saturday.
By Tuesday the two-time champions' "bull of the pampas" was not a confirmed starter but the signs are that the albiceleste will step out with a three-pronged attack with the Manchester City forward in the mix.
He certainly warms the heart of his impetuous coach.
"Tevez is like a son for me. I felt that the moment I met him. He has a hunger and a passion for football," says Maradona of the man who left Old Trafford for the these days not so poor relation Manchester outfit, City, last year.
Now Maradona, under pressure to deliver after numerous false starts during qualifying - notably a 6-1 hiding in Bolivia - is due to send Tevez into action alongside Lionel Messi and Real Madrid starlet Gonzalo Higuain.
Between them the trio netted more than 80 league goals last term for City, Barcelona and Real.
But they now have to click together on the World Cup stage.
Tevez appeals to Maradona in that he wears his heart on his sleeve and that endears him to supporters of the national side as they revelled in his eight goals, including one in the final, on the way to Olympic glory in 2004.
In the qualifiers, however, his impetuous nature got the better of him in the shape of two red cards.
By Tuesday the two-time champions' "bull of the pampas" was not a confirmed starter but the signs are that the albiceleste will step out with a three-pronged attack with the Manchester City forward in the mix.
He certainly warms the heart of his impetuous coach.
"Tevez is like a son for me. I felt that the moment I met him. He has a hunger and a passion for football," says Maradona of the man who left Old Trafford for the these days not so poor relation Manchester outfit, City, last year.
Now Maradona, under pressure to deliver after numerous false starts during qualifying - notably a 6-1 hiding in Bolivia - is due to send Tevez into action alongside Lionel Messi and Real Madrid starlet Gonzalo Higuain.
Between them the trio netted more than 80 league goals last term for City, Barcelona and Real.
But they now have to click together on the World Cup stage.
Tevez appeals to Maradona in that he wears his heart on his sleeve and that endears him to supporters of the national side as they revelled in his eight goals, including one in the final, on the way to Olympic glory in 2004.
In the qualifiers, however, his impetuous nature got the better of him in the shape of two red cards.