Birth Date: August 18 1980
Birth Place: Buenos Aires
Birth Nation: Argentina
Height: 177cm
Weight: 78Kg
Position: Midfielder
Full Name: Esteban Matias Cambiasso Delau
Esteban Cambiasso Rumours and Transfers
29 06 2007
The fans who packed into Maracaibo′s Estadio Jose Pachencho Romero for Thursday evening′s Group C double bill certainly got their money′s worth as the goals rained down on day 3 of the Copa America. Paraguay′s devastating 5-0 defeat of Colombia was followed by a similarly ruthless display from tournament favourites Argentina as they downed the USA 4-1.
Few of the 37,000 fans packed into the Jose Pachencho Romero could have predicted such an emphatic display from the Guaranies. Determined to erase the memory of a limp showing at Germany 2006, the Paraguayans, with new Argentinian coach Gerardo Martino at the helm, pitched up with several new faces and proceeded to destroy a directionless Colombia side, with strike duo Roque Santa Cruz and Salvador Cabanas in particularly fine form.
After a scrappy opening, the game in the end settled into some kind of rhythm with Colombia moving the ball around to good effect and Paraguay content to bide their time and close their opponents down. Indeed, it was Jorge Luis Pinto′s charges who should have struck 1st, Alvaro Dominguez seeing his 26th minute penalty superbly saved by Paraguay keeper Justo Villar.
The Cafeteros were made to pay for their profligacy almost immediately when Santa Cruz burst through a huge gap in the Colombian defence to open his side′s account. The Bayern Munich man was at it again only after the restart, rounding off another lightning Paraguayan counterattack to make it 2-0. And the in-form forward secured the points with a header 10 minutes from time to complete an excellent hat-trick.
The goal-thirsty Paraguayans had not finished yet though, Cabanas completing the rout with a late brace to set the seal on a dismal evening for the men in yellow.
Having brought all their players to Venezuela, it came as no surprise to see the Albicelestes hit the ground running with an ominously impressive 4 goal showing against Bob Bradley′s USA.
Nevertheless, it was the North Americans who struck 1st when Gabriel Milito gave away a penalty and Eddie Johnson exacted punishment with a firm low drive to keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri′s left. The Argentinians were back on level terms only 2 minutes later, Hernan Crespo poking home from close range after Kasey Keller had made a fine save from a typically pinpoint Juan Roman Riquelme free kick.
The score remained that way until half time as the double world champions and 14 time Copa America winners struggled to exert their superiority over their well-drilled opponents, still buoyed no doubt by last Sunday′s CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph over Mexico.
All that changed 10 minutes after the break when Alfio Basile brought the mercurial Pablo Aimar on for Esteban Cambiasso to bring a little order to Argentina′s attacking play. The Real Zaragoza midfielder repaid his coach′s faith as the blue and white machine in the end sprang into life, Lionel Messi serving notice of what was about to come when he missed through the American defence and shot only wide.
With 63 minutes on the clock the load in the end paid off as Messi set up Crespo to score his and Argentina′s 2nd with a cross-shot. It was one way traffic from then on in with Aimar heading in a 3rd, before substitute Carlos Tevez gave the Stars and Stripes an even larger headache by completing the scoring with a right foot drive 5 minutes from time.
All 12 sides have now taken their tournament bow and following a rest day Friday, the tournament kicks off again in the city of San Cristobal on Saturday. Following their opening day draw Bolivia take on a Uruguay side in desperate require of a triumph to remain in the tournament, whilst hosts Venezuela will be looking for 3 points of their own against Group A leaders Peru.
27 06 2007
Reports in Italy say that Inter are willing to sacrifice Adriano in a bid to lure Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra.
Roberto Mancini is probably going to reinforce his midfield having lacked options last term when Olivier Dacourt, Esteban Cambiasso and Patrick Vieira spent long periods on the treatment table.
Diarra was originally a target in the January transfer window, however he discarded the Beneamata's advances.
The Mali international commanded around £17.5 million when he left Lyon for the Spanish champions last summer, however Inter are rumoured to be offering only £5 million in cash with Adriano off to the Bernabeu.
L'Imperatore was widely tipped to leave the San Siro after a troubled campaign blighted by indiscretions off the pitch, however said his wish to remain this week.
However, with the Nerazzurri securing the signature of 14 goal Honduran marksman David Suazo yesterday, it seems the enigmatic Brazilian's days could be numbered.
Whilst Adriano could welcome a new start, he must accept a pay cut. The misfiring marksman's wages are currently double those of Diarra.
22 06 2007
Midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme was included in Argentina′s Copa America team less than a year after he said his international retirement.
Riquelme, who scored both goals as Boca Juniors beat Gremio 2-0 away to win South America′s Copa Libertadores Wednesday, was included in the 22-man-squad said by the Argentine Football Assocation (AFA).
Riquelme mentioned in September that he would not play for his country again because criticism of his performances was affecting his mother′s health.
He left Spanish club Villarreal in February after falling out with coach Manuel Pellegrini and returned on loan to Boca, the club where he made his name.
Since then, he was in inspirational form and a recall was widely expected.
Argentina′s Copa America Squad,
Goalkeepers, Roberto Abbondanzieri (Getafe), Juan Pablo Carrizo (River Plate), Agustin Orion (San Lorenzo)
Defenders, Roberto Ayala (Valencia), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Hugo Ibarra (Boca Juniors), Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza), Gabriel Heinze (Man Utd), Daniel Diaz (Boca Juniors), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan)
Midfielders, Luis Gonzalez (Porto), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Pablo Aimar (Real Zaragoza), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors)
Forwards, Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Hernan Crespo (Inter Milan), Diego Milito (Real Zaragoza), Carlos Tevez (The Hammers), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors)
10 06 2007
Argentina coach Alfio Basile has called up a group of 10 players, that included 9 who are based in Europe, for the Copa America, which gets underway in Venezuela on 26 June.
Estudiantes de La Plata midfielder Juan Sebastien Veron is the only player who competes in South America.
Argentina, who were drawn in Group C along with USA, Colombia and Paraguay, will announce their final team on 21 June.
Argentina team (initial selections)
Defenders, Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan/ITA), Javier Zanetti (Juve/ITA), Gabriel Heinze (Man Utd/ENG), Javier Pinola (Nuremberg/GER)
Midfielders, Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan/ITA), Luis Gonzalez (FC Porto/POR), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool/ENG), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes de la Plata/ARG).
Forward, Hernan Crespo (Chelsea/ENG), Carlos Tevez (West Ham/ENG)
