Few players in the current squad divide opinion as does Argentine striker Mauro Boselli, who returns for a fresh crack at the Premier League following a season and a half on loan in Italy and Argentina. A lot has changed since his troubled first half-season — particularly in the way the team attacks. While many have long written him off, there are plenty — Roberto Martinez and the writers of this blog included — that believe the best of Boselli is soon to come.
Signed for six million pounds from Estudiantes de la Plata of Argentina after top-scoring in South America’s equivalent of the Champions’ League — la Copa Libertadores — the Argentine struggled to make an impact in his half-season stint at Latics. Operating as the lone centre-forward between Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia, he found chances to be at a minimum and pressure at a maximum.
With money comes expectation. The transfer fee heaped undue pressure on the striker, known for his clinical finishing but not necessarily pace or his ability to hold up play as a lone target. Unlike many Roberto Martinez signings, Mauro did not enjoy the luxury of an adaptation period, despite arriving in Lancashire after a career spent in Argentina.
All this said, Mauro’s first pre-season with the club was hugely promising, bagging several goals as he has two years later in the current version. In the league, he never looked far away from a goal but was largely starved of service. But for a narrow headed miss and a penalty miss against West Ham moments after being substituted on, which ultimately proved the last straw (more on that penalty in the interview below)… his first season may well have turned around.
But much has changed at Wigan Athletic since then, and Mauro is delighted to be back. He scored a well-taken header in Tuesday’s cup match against Nottingham Forest, and was unlucky not to have been awarded two penalties. He describes the squad as having a real sense of togetherness — one of fewer individuals and a real team ethic. What follows is his exclusive interview to the Three Amigos of Wigan — given before the beginning of the season. iMuchas gracias Mauro, y mucha suerte!
* note: this interview was translated from Spanish, by the author.
Q: How does it feel to be back in Wigan?
A: I feel more mature in this new chapter with Wigan, with a lot of experience that I didn’t have when I first arrived here. I’m back with motivation to succeed in English football.
Q: How is the club different from your first season, two years ago?
A: I found a very different group now to when I first arrived. The group is more together and the focus is on the team, rather than the individuals.
Q: What are your personal goals for the season?
A: My personal goal is to win my place in the starting lineup and regain the confidence the club put in me with goals and good performances.
Q: Have you tasted the famous Wigan pies? What is your favourite filling?
A: I’ve unfortunately not yet been able to taste the traditional food of Wigan, so I can’t comment on this one.
Q: Many of us think you were a bit unlucky in your first season at the club because the midfielders were not providing much service for you. How you do see that season?
A: Contrary to the first season I was at the club, there are many players that have the ability to assist me and give me the chance to take advantage of my strengths as a footballer. I am a centre-forward that needs my team to score goals.
Q: Why did you take that penalty against West Ham — you’d just come off the substitutes’ bench?
A: I’ve taken penalties all my life and will continue to do so. That day, I’d just come onto the pitch and couldn’t feel my feet it was so cold — and no one was stepping up to take the kick. If there is a penalty and I am on the pitch, I will take it because I am confident I’ll score it.
Q: Roberto’s new tactical system uses wingbacks such as Jean Beausejour, Ronnie Stam, and Emmerson Boyce, who love to get forward and put crosses in the box. Do you think this system suits you?
A: In my first season at Wigan I played with Rodallega and N’Zogbia on the wings. They are players who like to finish the attacking move themselves rather than assist. Now, there are players like Maloney, Crusat, Jean (Beausejour), Di Santo — players who could favour my game. This tactical system that encourages more crosses into the box is the one I like the most. I hope I am allowed opportunities and a run in the team to show what I can do.
Q: What can Latics supporters do to help you on the pitch?
A: The thing that would be most helpful is to always support the team. Personally, before every game in Argentina, people would sing my last name (Boselliiiiii, Boselliiiii) before the game which really motivated me a lot and I’d take to the pitch with absolutely everything I had.
Q: Which striker, current or former, do you idolize?
A: The forward I idolize is Ibrahimovich. He is, without doubt, the best centre-forward in the world.
Q: How was your time on loan in Italy?
A: When I was in Italy, I had some bad luck. Two days before I signed the loan deal, I suffered a muscle injury that left me sidelined for a month. Then I suffered a setback that put me back another 15 days. The club had to find another forward, and he did well when he arrived, so it was hard to get back in the team. All this said, I came back and scored the match-winning goal in the last minute of the derby against Sampdoria, and I am very proud that I became a part of the club’s history.
Q: And Argentina?
A: I had a good season in Argentina even though (Estudiantes) did not have a great one. I scored 11 goals and performed well.
Q: What do you miss most about your native Argentina?
A: There is only one thing that I miss: the affection I leave behind in Argentina which is the most important thing. Everything else can be managed, but not that.
Q: Your former club, Estudiantes has gone through some changes in the last few years, with a new stadium. Tell us about the club.
A: When Veron arrived at Estudiantes in 2006, the club grew and it is now considered one of the strongest teams in Argentina. Thanks to God that things have always gone very well for me there and I am proud to say I am part of the great history of Estudiantes. I hope to do the same at Wigan and will do everything I can to achieve it.
One of the criticisms often leveled at Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic teams is that they cannot finish. Four brilliantly executed goals destroyed their Championship opponents in this match.
Forest had dominated the early proceedings. However, in the 25th minute Ronnie Stam went on one of his foraging runs down the right and whipped in a trademark cross. It cut out the goalkeeper and defenders but not Mauro Boselli, who nipped in to score an opportunist header. How often last season Stam had played similar balls in that nobody capitalized on. The goal shocked Forest and more were to follow. Suddenly there were acres of space in midfield and classy Latics took full advantage. Watson and Jones started to dominate the centre of midfield, with their silky skills and high workrate, linking up well with the forwards and the wing backs.
Roberto Martinez had kept only four players from the team that had started at Southampton, and all at the back: Al Habsi, Ramis, Figueroa and Alcaraz, who was captain for the night in the absence of Caldwell. Ramis was to move to the centre of the back line of three, with Figueroa taking up his now more familiar position left of centre. There were two specialist wing backs in Stam and Beausejour, Watson and Jones in central midfield and Gomez, Crusat and Boselli further forward.
Latics were to add to their tally on the 35th minute mark when Maynor Figueroa hit an absolute screamer from 30 yards, the ball flying across goalkeeper Camp into the far corner of the net. This followed nice approach play by Crusat and Watson. Forest defender Halford could be faulted for not making sufficient effort to block Figeroa’s shot, but it was a truly stunning strike. Latics made it three a minute before half time when Jordi Gomez hit a right-footed rocket past Camp, after receiving from Crusat 20 yards out. Even before then Gomez had gone close a couple of times and Boselli had two clear penalties not given. One was a handball in the area, the second when he was pushed when in a goalscoring position. The Argentine was also unlucky with a clever flick that would have put Crusat clear, but for a deflection.
The second half started and Forest were starting to recover from the shellshock of the last 20 minutes of the first half . After only two minutes had passed Simon Cox got them back in the game with a spectacular 30 yard shot. They started to press, pushing Wigan on the back foot. Latics seemed content to defend and hold their lead. Callum McManaman came on for Jordi Gomez after 72 minutes. Antolin Alcaraz carelessly got himself a second yellow card with a trip on Moussi in the 78th minute, but the defence held resolute. A couple of minutes later Ryo Miyaichi came on to make his debut in place of Albert Crusat. Fraser Fyvie was also make his competitive bow three minutes later for Mauro Boselli.
As the match was winding down Miyaichi revealed his blistering pace, passing inside the box the Callum McManaman who made finishing look easy, side stepping his marker and coolly placing the ball past Camp.
The Good
Wigan Athletic’s performances in cup competitions in the Martinez era have been poor in the past. It had seemed like the players had not been interested. This was not the case here. Martinez smartly chose a team with a strong backbone in defence, with a good balance in midfield and upfront. The players showed commitment and at times they looked almost as classy as the first choice lineup at Southampton last weekend. Latics clearly have strength in depth and their now well-established style of play makes it easy for players to step in. Everybody knows their role and there are at least two players seriously challenging for selection in all eleven positions.
Up front Latics look in really good shape. There are three central strikers of varying styles, but each one a quality player. In this match Mauro Boselli led the line with skill and effort, getting into good positions and meriting his opportunist goal. The arrival of Ivan Ramis has given Latics another quality central defender, so necessary when one of the three regulars gets injured or is suspended.
The Bad
What a shame Alcaraz made a reckless challenge to get his second yellow card and get sent off. He has a great technique and is physically strong. His career at Latics has been dogged by injuries and sometimes reckless decision making. At his best he is one of the classier central defenders in the division.
Player ratings
Ali Al Habsi: 7 – solid and did what he needed to.
Antolin Alcaraz : 7 – played well until his sending off.
Ivan Ramis: 7 – looked a natural in Gary Caldwell’s role. Quickly getting accustomed to the pace of the English game.
Maynor Figueroa: 9 – notwithstanding his spectacular goal he has developed into an excellent central defender. His positional sense and power make him a fine player. Outstanding performance.
Ronnie Stam: 8 – as always attacked with verve, his crosses being menacing for the opposition defence. Worked hard in defence.
Jean Beausejour: 7 – a class act as a wing back. Performed his dual role in defence and attack with his usual diligence.
Ben Watson: 6 – worked hard and showed his class. At times seemed to be trying too hard, hitting ambitious passes that did not quite come off. More to come from him, given the chance.
David Jones: 7 – that cultured left foot together with a high workrate helped him make a good contribution.
Jordi Gomez: 8 – excellent passing and posed an attacking threat. His right footed rocket shot for his goal was a surprise to us all. Let’s see more of that Jordi!
Mauro Boselli: 8 – led the line with skill and panache. Looked dangerous and linked up well with teammates.
Albert Crusat: 6 – not his best match but he put in some nice touches. The best is yet to come from the diminutive winger.
Substitutes:
Callum McManaman – took his goal with such coolness and self confidence. Has been unlucky not to be given more opportunities in the past.
Ryo Miyaichi – impressive in his brief time on the pitch. This speed merchant could have a key role this season, especially in the closing stages when the opposition tires.
Fraser Fyvie – not on for long, so hard to judge. Clearly one for the future.
After witnessing champagne moments in Latics’ victory at Southampton on Saturday, up comes another match. It is the Capital One Cup, the latest name for the Football League Cup. Will it be champagne or mere morsels this time around? One recalls the heroics of the 2005-2006 Latics side, knocking out Arsenal in the semi-final, only to be undone by Manchester United in Cardiff. It was not so much champagne football with that Latics side in their first Premier League season, but it was exuberant and exciting.
I liked the name of the “Milk Cup”, that the tournament had in the 80’s when sponsored by Dairy Crest. The League Cup is still with us, despite the sparse attendances it has suffered since its introduction in 1960. In those days the FA Cup was a big thing, drawing in the crowds. Maybe they thought the League Cup could get on that same bandwagon? The reality has been that most Premier League clubs have repeatedly put out weakened teams in this competition, so “giant killing” has been prevalent, at least on outward appearance.
I really enjoyed the Southampton match. Two well taken goals, but more than that it was an oozing of sheer class by Latics that sticks in my mind. There was a spell in the second half where Latics just wouldn’t let Southampton get the ball. The passing ability of Latics’ defenders defies belief compared the norms of previous eras. Robert Martinez has got his team playing stylish, skillful football whilst maintaining a steely, competitive edge. How ironic that Brendan Rodgers has been lauded for the good football his Swansea team played last season. No disrespect to Rodgers, who did a great job taking Swansea into the Premier League and having a good first season. However, it is the Martinez stamp that reigns indelible on the Swansea style of play.
When I trawled the Latics news on the internet a few minutes ago I found headlines such as “Martinez set to rotate squad” and “ Martinez set to test squad depth”. Hardly a surprise. In the old days it would be said that he is putting out his reserve team. I suppose the difference now is that those fringe first team squad players rarely play for the reserves .
So it is an opportunity for squad players who have not started so far this season. If so a possible line-up could be: Pollitt – Lopez, Golobart, Kiernan – Stam, Watson, Fyvie (or Jones), Beausejour (or Jones) – Crusat, Boselli, Miyaichi (or McManaman). Not to forget Mustoe and Redmond plus players from the development squad. On paper this looks like a strong enough lineup, but in reality it would be a team that has never played together. On the more positive side Latics have a way of playing that these players can fit into. Martinez continues to view these matches as opportunities for players to show their mettle and their willingness to challenge for a place in the starting lineup. In reality we have seen some abject performances in the cup competitions over the last few years.
Nottingham Forest finished 19th in the Championship last year. They have won one and drawn two of their matches this season. Like Wigan, they also need to look at upcoming fixtures. One cannot predict what type of lineup they will put out. How things have changed over recent years. Forest were twice European champions under Brian Clough when Latics were still newcomers in the fourth tier of the Football League.
It would be nice to have another great run in the League Cup. However, performance in cup competitions under Roberto Martinez has been mediocre – it has clearly not been a priority. However, one hopes that those players who make the lineup tonight will play with the passion, skill and professionalism that the first choice lineup showed at Southampton at the weekend.
LOS THREE AMIGOS 