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6/30/2006 02:57:00 PM

Pekerman's cardinal sin

Oakland Arena
Argentina head coach José Pekerman (left) may face scorn for not playing exciting youngster Lionel Messi, who was thought to be a difference-maker.
Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images

Posted by Grant Wahl

BERLIN -- In a game full of drama, if not the transcendence soccer fans had hoped for, Germany's penalty-kick elimination of Argentina came down to this: Jürgen Klinsmann totally outcoached José Pekerman.

By leaving perhaps his best player, 19-year-old wunderkind Lionel Messi, on the bench for the entire game, Pekerman committed the same cardinal sin that Netherlands head coach Marco van Basten did by refusing to call on Ruud van Nistelrooy in Holland's 1-0 loss to Portugal.

At this level, when one play can make all the difference, you must give your best players the chance to win the game. It was bad enough that Pekerman never gave Messi the opportunity to start in a game that mattered in this World Cup. But it was unforgivable that, with the chance to use Messi as his last sub for forward Hernán Crespo, Pekerman called instead on an inferior player in Julio Cruz. (Van Basten made a similar error late in the Portugal loss, sending in Jan Venegoor of Hesselink instead of van Nistelrooy.)

We'll never know how a difference-maker like Messi would have impacted this game, and if you're an Argentina fan, a fan who had the right to believe your team could win this World Cup, that's a tremendous shame.

Klinsmann, in turn, chose his subs with the kind of wisdom you rarely expect from a first-time coach in the World Cup pressure-cooker. Right winger David Odonkor, a surprise pick for the German roster in the first place, added a pivotal spark when he came on in the 62nd minute. It was Odonkor who hustled back to steal the ball from Juan Pablo Sorín, beginning the sequence that ended with Miroslav Klose's equalizing goal in the 80th minute.

Klinsmann's second sub was another masterstroke. Tim Borowski, a 75th-minute replacement for Bastian Schweinsteiger, merely struck the header that Klose banged home to make it 1-1.

After the game Pekerman claimed that Germany had an advantage because "we had two forced changes" to make for injured goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri and midfielder Juan Román Riquelme. Perhaps, but that still doesn't explain why Pekerman chose to go with Cruz instead of Messi. (The coach later said that Cruz offered a stronger presence in the penalty box than Messi, a strange rationale considering the Argentines were having a terrible time by that point even getting the ball into the box.)

As long as Argentina was playing the best soccer of the tournament, Pekerman got a free pass for not taking full advantage of Messi's breathtaking talents. But Pekerman had to have known that the minute something went wrong, he would be held accountable for it. Now, as his team heads home empty-handed, he most certainly will be.
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Posted: 3:36 PM   by Anonymous
Have to say this was the best match of the tournament, refereeing was great - game was controlled yet free flowing at the same time and I haven't seen a match like that since I last saw Collina ref. Spot on that Klinsmann out coached him too, what was Pekerman thining bringing on Cruz? Lionel Messi is a once in a lifetime talent and can you imagine the force he'd have wreaked coming on in the 85th minute or so? If the game went on as it did that's 30+ minutes that the fresh, rested, wunderkid has to run rings around the obviously tiring Germans. Messi also would have been an almost guaranteed penalty - the kid just doesn't feel pressure as shown by his play at Barca.

Argentina let this get away from them, but beautiful play by the Germans too.
Posted: 3:39 PM   by Anonymous
Pekerman is mainly guilty of employing negative tactics to hold on to a slim lead. The "forced" loss of Riquelme spooked him into playing to hold a one -goal lead. That strategy obviously didn't work too well.

Finishing a game with Saviola, Messi, Riquelme and Crespo on the bench has to be devastating to any Argentina fan. Especially in penalty kicks--though I think if it came to that Lehmann offered a tremendous advantage no matter who was out.
Posted: 3:43 PM   by Nanda
I am ashamed to be an Argentina fan courtesy of negative tactics by Pekerman. He turned this talent-filled Argentine side into English side. The difference between the two sides was the belief to win and the mindset. Pekerman literally handed the semifinal spot to the Germans, here you take it, we have more talent but you guys are the host you should stay in the tournament. I am not surprised he has resigned within hours of the match, I hope Maradona is NOT the next coach because he seems to me driven my emotions, not a coaching material in my mind. But seems like he will have reins of the Argentine football for next years, the future is bright with so much young talent, just need a coach like Klinsmann who can fully utilize the talent. It's sad to see the best team to crash out of the world cup, England is used to playing negative and they survive, Argentina are not.
Posted: 3:44 PM   by Anonymous
exactly.. no saviola no messi . this coach sucked big time!
Posted: 3:46 PM   by Anonymous
As a Brazilian Fan, I loved to watch on TV our neighbours saying goodybye to the WC!! The most Armazing story of the tournament so far!
Posted: 3:48 PM   by Anonymous
germany had 2 win the game
lubos michel was on germany's hand with alot of questionable calls...sorry for football but the best team is going home
germany plays no football it's kicking the ball and hopes it will land on one of their strikers heads...
Posted: 3:50 PM   by Anonymous
I think you would have had to give the advantage to Germany due to Lehmann as well. The loss of the Argentine keeper hurt, for sure, but Pekerman's error really came in his last substitution after the match; to not put your most creative substitute on in a game where you've already lost a player of Riquelme's stature is unbelievable. One thing's for sure though: Diego Maradonna, once he finishes playing the obligatory "too bad we're out" music, is smiling all the way to the manager's position right now.
Posted: 3:59 PM   by Anonymous
Agreed. Pekerman made a few mistakes. Was Riquelme hurt? That makes sense, but at the time I didn't realize why he was being taken out in favor of Cambiasso. Obviously a defensive move, but how many times have we seen, in this Cup and Cups past, a coach decide to settle into a defensive shell with a one-goal lead, only to lose both the lead and the game because the opposition is playing inspired, offensively-minded football? Too many times. Pekerman should have realized this from the start.

Klinsman has the Germany team playing that kind of inspired ball right now. Sure they make a few mistakes here and there, but they are always pushing forward. It has made this Germany team so much more fun to watch that the Germany team of '02.

Nicely done, Coach Klinsi.
Posted: 4:01 PM   by Anonymous
Germany was very fortunate to win this...they looked very average through the 1st half. Spot on with the Messi comments though, keeping him on the bench was criminal. Such a shame, I really wanted to see an Argentina/Brazil final. I'm not sure anyone except France has a good shot to beat Brasil at this point...
Posted: 4:01 PM   by Anonymous
Pekerhead really blew it. His decisions were atrocious. He packed it in and decided to hold on and play anti-football. It just killed me to see the bench with no subs and Messi, Saviola, Aimar, Riquelme and Crespo on the bench knowing that teams get punished for this cardinal sin of holding on and that they would be without any offense when the inevitabl punishment from the Soccer Gods came. What a shame. Argentina deserved a better manager and he deserved what he got.
Posted: 4:01 PM   by Anonymous
Germany was very fortunate to win this...they looked very average through the 1st half. Spot on with the Messi comments though, keeping him on the bench was criminal. Such a shame, I really wanted to see an Argentina/Brazil final. I'm not sure anyone except France has a good shot to beat Brasil at this point...
Posted: 4:08 PM   by Anonymous
It was tactical suicide. Argentina should have played for the win in overtime. Playing it safe to make it into the shootout against Germany offered only very little chances of success. Especially with Crespo and Riquelme off the field.
Posted: 4:10 PM   by Ramon
Just about any team that plays to hold on to a 1x0 lead ends up losing the game. It's the famous "Don't play like a coward" rule.

I'm Brazilian, I should be happy Argentina lost, but I can't bring myself to be happy with the prospect of having to beat Germany in the final match surrounded by 70,000 crazy germans screaming for 90 minutes.

I would much rather play Argentina. Then again, Brazil still has two games to go until the finals, nothing is set in stone yet.
Posted: 4:10 PM   by Anonymous
Oh wie ist es schoen...! YES!!!!!
Go Germany! All the way to the final!!!!!!!!
Posted: 4:10 PM   by Anonymous
Berlin, Berlin, wir fahren nach Berlin!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 4:18 PM   by Anonymous
Pekerman really blew it. His decisions were atrocious. He packed it in and decided to hold on and play anti-football. It just killed me to see the bench with no subs and Messi, Saviola, Aimar, Riquelme and Crespo on the bench knowing that teams get punished for this cardinal sin of holding on and that they would be without any offense when the inevitabl punishment from the Soccer Gods came. What a shame. Argentina deserved a better manager and Pekerman deserved the punishment for his sin(s).
Posted: 4:18 PM   by Anonymous
I think we found the world cup equivalent of isiah thomas in argetina's coach pekerman.what a shame that we have to wait 4 years to see Messi let loose on the world's biggest stage. Who hires these coaches with a lack of common sense?
Posted: 4:25 PM   by Anonymous
keeping Saviola, Messi, Crespo, and Riquelme on the bench was the biggest mistake of coach Pekerman. I'm still trying to figure out WHY Pekerman never used Messi for the last minute of this important game, instead he used Cruz? I mean, to replace CRESPO? COME ON! show some respect to the argentina fans and use Saviola AT LEAST.

Having Messi or Crespo, and Saviola playing during the last 20 minutes of the game would've definitly made a big difference.

by the way, THAT WAS A VERY VERY BEAUTIFUL GAME.
Posted: 4:27 PM   by nelson
For once I have to agree with Mr. Wahl. I was definitely surprised by the entrance of Cruz. If Riquelme was hurt then why not a player like Aimar? With Riquelme out Mr. Pekerman just got scared and gave the initiative to the Germans. I wouldn`t go as far as to say that he was outcoached. He was forced to make the substitutions. as for the ref. ... I will never understand how the Germans ended up with one yellow card and the Argentines with four. Similar thing happened four years ago against the US. It is a shame though. Argentina was playing the best football in this tournament.
Posted: 4:32 PM   by betteratFL350
Intelligent coaching is important, this is true, but let's give credit to the youngsters of this unique German team. With every game, they are playing more and more in sync with one another, and Germany finally has an energy that usually characterizes South American teams. Klinsmann is an amazing coach, but it is this hard-working team that deserves most of the credit. I would not be surprised is they continued on to win the entire tournament.
Posted: 4:41 PM   by Anonymous
"refereeing was great". WOW.
I think the refereeing was CLEARLY pro-Germany...Whenever there was a confusing situation -> ball for Germany.
Posted: 4:53 PM   by Anonymous
This article can't even sum up the disappointment I have in what transpired. As a Abiceleste fan, I was overjoyed at seeing the team come together since the start of the Cup. Then today, I'm forced to stare in disbelief as Argentina sub-ed themselves into such a poor tactical decision in order to hold onto a 1 goal lead. This team has been among the best at ball control, one-touch passing, etc.

Not sure if was Germany, but Argentina looked sloppy, pinging the ball up field without any focus. The lack of Riquelme directing in the middle was devastating. That, plus the fact Tevez had to attack practically on his own without the immense talents of Messi, Aimar, or Saviola is a shame. Another 4 years to see what these kids can do on an international stage. Somehow, I feel robbed.

I will tip my hat though to the German squad. Podolski & Klose are a bright future indeed.
Posted: 4:53 PM   by Anonymous
Germany won this game because of they never stopped believing in themselves. Klinsmann did some great coaching as well, but taking Klose out was not an unquestionable thing to do.

Messi would have been a threat but the defense seemed to be capable of withstanding anything the opponent might throw at them. A deserved win by the Germans against one of the three best teams in the world proves that.

Watch out Brasil...Germany is ready to take it all.
Posted: 4:58 PM   by Anonymous
I don't really understand his lineup for this game. Tevez is a great player and can hold the ball, but he already had a target player up front in Crespo. I liked the earlier partnership he had with Saviola. Their different styles played well off of each other. Then bring Tevez in for Crespo. Also, Luis Gonzalez, another great player but a surprise to me as a starter.

The subs were equally bizarre. I agree with the previous poster that Pekerman was "spooked" into playing defensively at the end. Instead of bringing on Pable Aimar, a similar type of player to Riquelme, he brings on Cambiasso a more defensive minded player who is not able to control a game the way they can. As far as the Cruz substitution, he may have been thinking he wanted someone tall in the box, which is not their game. When you've got the quality of Messi, Saviola and even Palacio on the bench and you go to Cruz who has hardly played...I'm still at a loss.
Posted: 5:01 PM   by Gordon
With the kind of football Argentina was playing before this match, they had to be considered the favorites and Pekerman was untouchable. After this loss, I think Germany has to be the new favorite simply by the strength of their resolve and coaching. Lehmann was unbelievable in stopping those PKs.

Die Mannschaft is gone, yes, but the resolve to win still remains, and that can trump many an international star.
Posted: 5:03 PM   by Anonymous
Pekerman is a great coach, he just made a mistake in sending in Cruz. The Germans are pure lucky, Argentina controlled the game from beginning to start, but Klose converted the one chance he had and that's what counts. Argentina's only bad was the finishing touch as the Germans sent in half of their team to the box everytime Requilme had the ball. The German style is boring. I hope Italy tears them apart.
Posted: 5:07 PM   by Anonymous
Real Football starts in September. I can't wait. I think the Broncos are going to dominate this year.
Posted: 5:15 PM   by Anonymous
Pekerman was simply dumbed down in this game. After Germany scored, it was obvious he placed all his cards on penalties. Only a fool would want to settle a game, against the Germans on penalties. He should have killed this game, by bringing on Messi, and starting Cambiasso instead of Gonzalez. To all German fans, this is the end of your joy. You meet Italy, and Lippi. I'm sorry German fans,but here is where it all ends.
Danke!
Posted: 5:17 PM   by Anonymous
Germany has the most heart and that goes a long way!
Posted: 5:17 PM   by Anonymous
To the guy that said "real football start in september"... you wish!
Posted: 5:18 PM   by nrgman@gmx.de
You want to blame the ref?

Why?

Ballack got a arm in his face in the penalty box - yellow and a pkl - but the ref did not see it.

And the attack on Klose, which was not penalized too.

Argentina can not complain about the referee. If Michel had seen that two inicidents, Argentina would have had to play with 10 or 9 players.
Posted: 5:22 PM   by Anonymous
Excuses, Excuses! Germany won and that's it...it was played out fair! Go Germany!!!
Posted: 5:22 PM   by Ted
Playing at home is worth at least a goal in this tournament, maybe more. The home-field advantage renders the results every four years significantly less meaningful. FIFA's failure to seed, resulting in one of the 2-3 best teams in the world playing a good host team in the quarterfinals, is maybe even a bigger flaw. Italy's in the semis after beating Australia and Ukraine, Argentina had to play Germany in Berlin. Brilliant.
Posted: 5:23 PM   by Anonymous
Forget about Broncos. Hail to Redskins!
Posted: 5:24 PM   by Anonymous
There aren't enough people praising Germany's fine time here, so I thought I'd through my 2 cents in. They held their own against one of the team everyone favored to win the Cup.

Idiot coaching by Argentina or not, the coach is part of the team. And I'm pretty sure the coaching didn't have anything to do with Argentian choking to death during the penalty kicks!
Posted: 5:24 PM   by betteratFL350
"The German style is boring." Wow. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is the most energetic and creative team we have seen from Germany in many years. Just watch Philipp Lahm, for example, and how he orchestrates one creative opportunity after another, and you'll see what I mean. Germany is on a roll, and it will take a strong Italian team to stop them (which won't happen).
Posted: 5:24 PM   by Anonymous
The Broncos suck..And as far as "real futbol" ..this is it...it doesn't get any better than World Cup.
Posted: 5:24 PM   by Anonymous
As a German I can only say thank you to Pekerman for his less than stellar decisions. Throughout the first half I was really worried about Germany's chances since Argentina were closing down all the spaces by dropping Tevez back into midfield to defend. I figured when he got tired Messi or Saviola would just come in to further wear out the Germans. When that didn't happen I knew Argentina would lose. Although both teams have never lost on Penalty Kicks, would anyone pick against the Germans in such a situation. Just ask the British about that.

The forced substitution of Riquelme is just sour grapes, these people must not have seen what Ballack limped to the finish line on. Sure they couldn't sub him off anymore but that didn't stop him from burying his PK.

Germany will win this thing, it just seems to be going that way
Posted: 5:25 PM   by Ted
Ballack's "arm in the face" was not a shot in the face, but a rub on the neck; his performance there was the second-biggest dive of the game, after the one by the German player who went down near the Argentine penalty area literally without being touched.
Posted: 5:26 PM   by Anonymous
Funny.
No weak Opponent, no Heat. What shall we do?

Ah i got it. The Refereee, the substitutes, luck.

Of course the germans didn't play good. Thats impossible.

Which excuses will you find after the final? :)

Let's face it: Germany was at the same level, the defense was very good. The young german team won.

They derserved it.
Don't find stupid excuses every time they do so.
Even messi ist not a automatic-winning Wizard.
The best Team is out now, the Cup stays in Germany :)
Posted: 5:26 PM   by Anonymous
To the last post, do you mean the handball season will start in September.
Posted: 5:27 PM   by Anonymous
To whoever it was that felt "Germany's ride will end with Italy"... All I can say is- have you been watching the same World Cup I have? If you have, you'd have seen how Italy only managed to score a tie against our terribly inept U.S. team... Not to mention the horrible dive that resulted in their one goal against Australia, who'd never even played in a World Cup.
Posted: 5:29 PM   by Anonymous
Ive been saying Pekerman was an idiot the whole cup. Sure Argentenia has looked great but he doesnt even play the right players. How Javier Zanetti did not make this team is beyone me. He would have talken their biggest weakness,right back, and made it a strenght. Him and Rodriguez combining on the right side would have added alot to the Argentine attack.

Besides that where was Aimar. Who cares if he is less defensive minded then Cambiasso and Mascherano, he needed to be on the field.
Posted: 5:32 PM   by Anonymous
Germans go on . You have a golden chance to win this cup and you deserve the win over argentina
Posted: 5:33 PM   by Anonymous
This surely was the best match of the world cup. But sad to see the best team being thrown out of luck by German beanstalks.
Posted: 5:33 PM   by Anonymous
haha...nrgman@gmx.de you seriously don't know your football. Ballack playacted and took a nice dive. otherwise why did the referee call a foul on Ballack. the ref was obviously pro-germany.
It's alright...Argentina didn't play to its full potential but they are still 100 times the team Germany will ever be.
Germany is an average team. they don't belong in the elite group with argentina, brazil, italy, or holland.
Posted: 5:35 PM   by Anonymous
Italy is going all the way. Totti is starting to play and if Nesta comes back i dont see Germany being able to score on them, plus their the luckiest team and this tournament and i just think they'll beat Germany, but it should be a very close game.
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