HOLA!
Things are getting better again for defensive midfielder Fernando Gago since he joined Valencia this summer.
The Argentine, for instance, now also commands a regular spot in Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella's (right) team for the South American 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
And Gago he is set to play in the away match against Peru in Lima tomorrow (9:30am).
The 26-year-old and 5ft 10in Gago signed up for Real in 2007 from Boca Juniors and things were good then for him as he spent most of his time playing rather than warming his backside on the bench.
Gago signed up with Boca, who were the first team in his career, in 2004.
However, things began to turn sour when Jose Mourinho took over as manager from Chilean Manuel Pellegrini in 2010. Gago found it difficult to have playing time as Mourinho preferred Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira playing the defensive roles in midfield.
Long term injuries made things worse for Gago, who finally was sent on loan to Serie A side Roma last season. Things did not go that well for him in the Italian capital too as he only played 29 matches.
Then the break came when Valencia, knowing his abilities well, signed him up this summer from Real.This was what he wanted as he had to prove a point or two to some people including Senor Mourinho.
Gago is known as a pretty dynamic footballer pre-dictates his game on ball movement. He also capable of reaching the opponents box and possesses tremendous vision for the game and can cover lots of ground.
And he is doing well for Valencia and Argentina and obviously he hope to maintain his form. He does not want a repeat of what happened when he was with Real.
Gago (left), a literature and art enthusiast and married to professional tennis player Gisela Dulko, is looking forward to the Peru match and want to play his part to get table leaders Argentina a result.
At the same time, he admitted Argentina rely too heavily on Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and must build on other aspects of their game.
Messi and Gago, for the record, played sterling roles in Albiceleste's 3-1 win over Paraguay last Friday in which Messi helped himself to his 28th international goal in 72 matches.
"We are comfortable and we are getting results, but we cannot think beyond Peru, then Uruguay," Gago told Clarin.
"The qualifiers are difficult, and our first hope is to reach the 2014 World Cup with a ticket in our hands, then we will see.
"Having Lionel is a bonus, but Argentina cannot play the ball only to him. We are building a style of play from several sides now."
Talking about Messi, as the press gathered in Lima to welcome the Argentina national team yesterday, chants of "Ronaldo, Ronaldo" rang out from the crowd when he exited the team bus.
The taunt is in response to the "Messi, Messi" taunts that Cristiano Ronaldo receives from Barca fans and non-supporters alike when he visits other stadiums.
Ronaldo was jeered in Portugal's 4-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Cyprus last September and now it appears that Messi will have to endure similar treatment on the road, as Argentina face Peru.
Chants, jeers or whatever, Messi will surely pose a lot of problems to the Peruvian defence. That's for sure.
And El Loco feels Messi will score again.
Adios!
FIXTURES
TOMORROW
Chile v Colombia (3:30am)
Uruguay v Ecuador (5:30am)
Paraguay v Venezuela (7:25am)
Peru v Argentina (9:25am)
(All in Malaysian time)
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
Argentina 6 4 1 1 14 5 13
Chile 6 4 0 2 11 10 12
Ecuador 6 4 0 2 7 6 12
Uruguay 6 3 2 1 14 10 11
Colombia 6 3 1 2 9 5 7
Venezuela 7 2 2 3 5 8 8
Peru 6 2 0 4 8 12 6
Bolivia 7 1 1 5 7 12 4
Paraguay 6 1 1 4 5 12 4
- mD
