Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players [R]

Leandro Grimi...

 

Might as well throw in Maxi Lopez in that mix.

 

Moratti seems to be a big fan of South American players . 9 players that won 2010 CL were Argentines, Brazilians and Colombian. That basically a South American team.

Di Santo

 

30 minutes in for Inter and a hattrick for Icardi.

Keep it up Maurito, Bauza is watching! You'll get that call any minute.

It's funny that Bauza complained about media always asking about him.

Inter are running riot. With Icardi's 9 minute hattrick, Banega just hit for 2 goals in a matter of minutes.

 

It wouldn't matter if Icardi scored a 100 goals this season, he still won't get a call up to the NT. A sub striker for Atletico who scores 2 goals all season will get called up for every squad though

 

You're giving Bauza too much credit. Try a player who has zero goals in the stinking Chinese league.

But let's not forget, Lavezzi is the team's clown, they need him to be there to tell Messi jokes so he can laugh.

Edit. Hattrick for Banega as well.

 

Icardi is the best Argentine poucher since Crespo, just look at his first and third goal. That header, he sneaked between 4 players from that kind of angle, imagine him being fed by Messi....

 

The more I see Icardi, the more he reminds me of Crespo.

Icardi also won the penalty and free kick from which he scored with great runs.

 

Icardi is a player who has balls and isn't scared. He takes his teams PK's, as a proper 9 should. Not only that, he doesn't let criticism get him down, as he has continuously fought with Inter's ultras. Outside of those goons, the Inter fans love him. I am surprised he doesn't more publicity for his exploits on the pitch. People will say "He comes with baggage", I have to say that is overblown, as he always gives it his all, and hell, Pupi has vouched for him in the past. If somebody like Zanetti has praised him, then who are we to judge?

And somewhat Icardi related. I saw some extended highlights for the Barcelona game, and Mascherano needs to retire or move to a league where he can manage to play, like the MLS or the Chinese League. He is embarrassing himself, he was at fault for both goals in Barcelona's 1-2 loss.

What a disaster if HE&Biglia are going to be protecting the MF if we make it to 2018. I am grateful for his leadership at 2014 World Cup but if he wants to save face, he needs to retire from the sleccion. From everything I have read and the limited FCB games I have seen, he is a walking disaster. He is going to be hindering our team, which he already is doing now with his blockage of Icardi's inclusion.

Alas, why couldn't these goons have remained retired after the CAC?

 

European teams easily buy into hype. If Tagliafico and Gomez just got to start a few games as Argentina fullbacks, I've got no doubt that they would be snapped up by a team in the top 5 leagues of Europe soon enough.

Mercado spend his career until the age of 29 in Argentina, then played one Copa America, and now he's killing it with Sevilla.

One of the main reasons Manchester United bought Rojo was because they needed a defender, and Rojo was both young and had a good WC.

 

This seems to have gone under the radar, but midfielder Walter Montoya has joined Sevilla and earned his first appearance against Athletic Bilbao a few weeks ago.



My first impression is that he is fast, hard working, and makes intelligent runs. The latter is rather important because Argentina often look like statues in their opponents half.

He made quite an impact in the 15 minutes he got. He was even denied a clear penalty at 1:45 too. La Liga refs in general are pretty rubbish.

 

I think Icardi missed his previous penalty or the one before that and yet, he still pulled a panenka. He's only 2 goals away from equalling his best tally 2 seasons ago when he won the serie A top scorer.

I agree on Masche, I really dont think his physical fitness suddenly declining, but that last CAC seems like a big blow to him, I mean he guy helped the team to reached 5 tournament finals.

 

Reports that Pratto broke his nose?

Bauza calling up Icardi now, I hope.

 

Doubtful. This will probably be Bauza's words. He'll say "That he waited to see if Pratto could play or not, but at the last moment, it was decided that he could not. Instead of calling a player from abroad, who will have to travel, it was best that that they'll call up somebody from home like Alario."

That is how it is going to go down.

Biglia was subbed off today due to a knee injury. He was limping.

 

Why doesn't Gio Simeone get called up?

 

It really makes you wonder if there are even European scouts anymore.

I think Gomez will be off to Europe sooner than later. Nico, I don't get, he's a solid player, a leader, and he'll be a great addition to any team. He had a short spell in Spain second division but was sent back. Granted, he picked up a lot of cards but I think he was just adjusting. But as you said, playing in Europe is not be all and end all of a career.

Another young and interesting player is Alexander Barboza from Defensa. He is a River player but is on loan and I think River would be able to get a nice penny for him. He is tall, is good on the ball has speed for his, and I think will be snatched up early if he puts on a good showing whenever he returns back to River.

 

He has surprised many of us with a number of goals he scored in Italy. But, I think he has returned back to earth. He had a hot month but has cooled down. I never believed he was national team material but who knows.

He won't get called up because it would look bad on Bauza's part. Bauza has continuously said that Icardi is the #3 behind Fatso and Pratto. How would it look if he gets called instead of Icardi, who plays in the same league as him? Bauza is trying to keep up this facade that he is "watching" Icardi.

I am not sure where Gio ranks in that. He's surely behind the likes, Icardi, Alario, Benedetto and hell, perhaps even Marco Ruben.

 

Bauza is just thanking his lucky stars that it is a broken nose instead of a leg or foot injury.

If you think about it, calling up Pratto up after a broken nose is foolish. Even if he is cleared to play, he'll have to wear a mask and good luck breathing with a broken nose and wearing mask in La Paz.

As for Barboza, if he does end up at one of the "grandes" he'll be snatched up. I have my doubts that many European scouts are following any Defensa y Justicia matches.

I still think there is plenty of talent in him, and he's got attributions that European teams like, size, height, and a bit of speed.

 

Disgusting.

 

Nice call on Bauza The Clown's reaction ...

Yeah, I face timed the Granata squad and asked them to take him out, for Argentina's sake. So Iturbe, understanding the dire situation in Albiceleste midfield, gave it a go...

Barboza was all over Newell's on Saturday, he ignites that squad, along with the irrepressible Galgo Gutierrez. Very impressed with the kid, menace in the air (made easier by Seba Dominguez somehow still playing in Primera), if he plays that way every game this "semestre," he won't need to go back to River to make some money..

 

Is anyone else worried that Argentina are falling really far behind the likes of France and Germany when it comes to depth and quality?

I mean they have midfields like Kroos-Khedira-Gundogan-Weigl-Kimmich or Pogba-Kante-Rabiot-Matuidi, all while Argentina have guys like Biglia nearing 50 appearances.

In 2006 Argentina's midfield of Riquelme, Sorin, Mascherano, Cambiasso and Maxi was as good as anyone else, but in recent times the midfield has really fallen behind compared to the European elite.

I don't know what the youth acedamies are doing wrong these days.

Even Croatia, a country of 4 million people, has a midfield of Rakitic-Kovacic-Modric for Christ sake!

 

At least Biglia delivers 2 failed penalties in major tournaments.