Argentina: Matias Almeyda

Argentina’s Matias Almeyda has a score to settle with Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The Argentina midfielder was a member of Lazio’s 2000 title-winning team under Eriksson but was offloaded in the summer of that year when the now England coach swooped for Parma striker Hernan Crespo.

Almeyda was forfeited in a part-exchange and later claimed to have learned of the deal only after it was all but completed.

While Crespo has made a success of his £35.7million move to Rome, Almeyda has endured a difficult two years at Parma.

A succession of injuries have affected him over the past year, limiting appearances, but it is in the nature of the player to run the risk of hurt.

Almeyda, you see, is not typical of the Argentinians who will line up at this summer’s World Cup.

He is a tough-tackling midfielder and a man whose performances dictate the pace of the South Americans’ play. A flamboyant dribbler he is not, unlike his midfield companions.

Comparisons can be made to the influence the equally tough but skilful Patrick Vieira has on the French or the impact of Damiano Tommasi in Italy’s team.

If Hernan Crespo, Juan Sebastian Veron and Claudio Lopez are to be the architects of Argentina’s World Cup challenge this summer then Almeyda is the man with the demolition ball aiming to knock the stern stuff out of opposition teams.

‘‘If you’re a midfielder like me you’ve got to run all the time ﷓ otherwise you might as well stay at home,’’ said Almeyda.

‘‘Argentina will fight for their people to let everyone know that we are still alive and kicking. We will battle and win for our people.’’

England coach Eriksson ultimately ditched him at Lazio, but Almeyda was given his Serie A break by the Swede who brought him in from Sevilla.

Even so when England tackle the Argentinians under the roof of the Sapporo Dome on June 7 there will be no favours offered.

Expect to see him sitting deep and watching for the next opportunity to repel attacks on the Argentina goal this summer, patiently looking for the simple pass to release his more naturally skilful team-mates.

He should slot into a five-man midfield which is likely to feature Veron, Lopez, Javier Zanetti and Kily Gonzalez.

Almeyda should be a big influence this summer, yet there is little flamboyant about the 28-year-old other than the flowing hair and dark looks which have earned him iconic status among the national team’s fleet of female supporters.

But if the World Cup is to revolve around Argentina this summer then count on Argentina to revolve around Almeyda.