Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players [R]

Neymar is on the same level as Robinho for me. Highly overrated and he was terrible last season bar comeback when psg was sleeping. Soon to be forgotten in the french league which is just horrible nowadays.

Let's hope Messi can bring Dybala. If these two can combine then we win the WC.

 

I'm not saying we need to call up Lavezzi, but he was great in 2014 WC when he played, including the final. He was on a roll throughout recent Copa until that unfortunate injury (typical Argentina luck in major tournament). He would have had a winning assist in 2015 Copa if it was Crespo or Batistuta who tap that one.

However, those 2014 squad apart from few, shouldnt part of 2018 squad.

 

If I had to pick from Pocho, Kun and Fatso to take to Russia there is no question I would rather have Pocho. I think we have enough talented forwards that could replace the likes of Kun and Fatso.

We are about a month and a week away from our next round of qualifiers. So, we should perhaps see a list of players in the next couple of weeks. Most players should be getting back into shape and the matches being in late August and early September, they should perhaps be at their peak physical fitness and will not have heavy legs.

I somewhat worry about Masche playing in the back three, which he is rumored he will. I've seen he's gotten into good shape but he was borderline terrible for FCB last season and he's been god-awful for us as well in recent memory.

If we do end up in Russia and Sampa takes the players on merit rather than a buddy system, I think we'll perhaps have a better squad than we had 4 years ago. We could hopefully make a deep run. But teams like France and Brasil will also be much better than they were four years ago.

 

Its hard to predict how a team will perform in WC most of the time. The only team that really shows consistency and always progress beyond QF is Germany and that's it. In last few World cups, we've seen teams like Argentina (2002), Holland (2006), or Brazil (2006 & 2010) expected to perform at highest level but once the tournament started, they simply fell flat when it really matters.

Brazil also looks unbeatable prior to 2014 tournament. Granted they didnt have qualifier to proof it but they also won Confederation at the time and beat Spain 3-0. The WC begin and they only have 1 conviencing victory out of 7 matches.

 

#siiiiuuuuu

 

Messi has showed up in better physical shape than ever.

https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/07/2...-ever-pre-season-gps-data-after-joyful-summer


Like Albiceleste says, he needs to skip Copa Del Rey altogether, even the final, if they get there.

Wish he could rest some La Liga games, but Barca are going to be fighting tooth and nail with the best Real Madrid squad --- so I doubt that.

Neymar wants to go to PSG; getting Dybala with Messi and them playing together the whole season could turn out very well for us.

 

First of all, we will need creative midfielder that is much better than Biglia. Many said Messi was at his peak age back in 2014 (27 years old), but he still pretty much the same physically, in fact he was weaker in 2014 since he came into the WC after injury plague season. His individual stats last season was one of his best ever so hopefully there will be no injury or any kind of setback leading to the WC.

 

I believe Messi is in way better shape physically than he ever was in 2014. Hopefully, he avoids injury. He has learned to manage his diet, which he never did in 2014.

A lot of teams have strengthened since 2014...

France have Griezmann, Dembele, Mbappe. Brazil are now playing with freedom. Germany is Germany; their B team won the Confederations Cup. Spain have Isco, Morata, Asensio. Italy have Insigne and Bernardeschi coming up.

Obviously, some will pan out and some not.

But if we get a proper midfield, and Messi-Dybala gel, then we could win it.

 

Messi played a total of 110 matches for Barcelona alone between 2012 & 2013 seasons and that simply too much. The Artemio Franchi thing is only 2 matches tournament so it wont be as grueling as Copa America and as SM said, it will benifit Sampa since he'll have extra match to test the team against strong opponents.

Germany is Germany , they'd be at least in semifinal. In Copa America and Euro, luck can help you to win the tournament. We've seen teams like Chile, Portugal, Greece and Denmark lifted the thropy, although Denmark was really good back in 90's. Chile won twice despite not scoring in 240 minutes, we all know how Greece did it in 2004 while Portugal won only 2 matches in recent Euro. In WC however, luck can only take you to QF or perhaps SF but the winner has always been a solid team that played well as a team.

I hope Dybala does move to Barca and play alongside Messi every week.

 

With the way science and nutrition has vastly improved over the years, it is no shocker that Messi is in his best physical shape. This is evidentiary in other sports as well. LeBron James is still arguably the best player in the NBA and he's nearly 33. Federer just won Wimbledon at the age of 35.5 without dropping a single set and winning his second Grand Slam of the season. Most experts like John McEnroe said he is perhaps better than he ever was. Federer got healthy and took care of himself. We are lucky that Messi loves the game this much and he doesn't have vices that could detract his skills as it did with so many others before him.

I also believe we can make a deep run in a year's time. Perhaps my sentiment will be more concrete when qualifiers conclude but I agree, with the proper balance we could be a favorite to hoist the trophy. I don't want to get ahead of myself but I think we'll have a more balanced team than we had 4 years and perhaps even a better team, at least on paper.

 

Well, Michael Jordan still scored 40+ points in his last season, so not only science and nutrition but the athlete dedication to the sport played a huge role as well.

As for nutrition, its also appearent in sports like Boxing and MMA, more and more fighters stays at their peak throughout their 30's these days. Back then you can see fighters like Tyson, Ali or Chavez declined sharply at around 32.

Off course this benifit Argentina greatly since Messi pretty much still gonna be in very good physical condition for next few major tournaments. Usually we're talking about replacing the team no.1 player in their late 20's but Messi proof he's even better than 4 years ago instead of getting weaker.

 

Driussi arriving to Zenit like

 

Yeah, all they had to do was wage a vicious civil war, starve out all the kulaks, purge thousands of innocents... Are you a Stalinist or something? The path Russia took to get to where they are now, where they are governed by a totalitarian ex KGB is not the path to take...SMH

No wonder the UK almost put Jeremy Corbyn in 10 downing street. Glad that in Argentina we have a serious president and we don't idolize communist nonsense.

 

Come on, don't tell me you don't want to take a shot of Stoli and eat some borscht at 3 in the morning when you hear Katusha.

Russian history is quite fascinating. And perhaps we can discuss it on a sub-forum. But for now let's all hope Comrade Driussi and Paredes continue their fine play at Zenit.

 

Hahaha take that Chilenos!

Chile to be deducted points from World Cup Qualifiers, Argentina to leapfrog. Full details here: https://t.co/c4RNHqMiGZ

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 26, 2017

h

 

Well, hopefully that will happen . However, we need to focus on ourself since while we're in 5th position, the 2nd position is only 2 points ahead. A draw against Uruguay and a win at home would be good enough for this round but getting 6 points from remaining 2 home matches is a must.

Chile has always be cry baby just like they're on the field. Rolling on the floor for 5 minutes for every fouls.

 

It seems that Dybala will be moving to Barcelona.

 

Dybala has looked lively in the first half in the pre-season match vs PSG. He's had some nice runs, two free-kicks that came close and he just assisted Fatso on a wonderful pass.

 

Peronism is pretty damn nonsensical as well and still idolized by many. But I agree for the most part.

 

Outside of the terrible news that Chaca will be returning to the Primera, it was an interesting week for many Argentinos throughout the globe.

Centurión who had flown back from Genoa to re-sign with Boca decided to make a U-turn and fly back to Genoa. So, he put pen to paper for the Italian side. He has a lot of quality about his game but he is a loose cannon. It is a shame for somebody to be so talented with the world at his feet he simply cannot get it together.

Mammana is being linked to Zenit and perhaps a deal will be done within the upcoming week. Again, it is interesting that many Argentinos are being linked to Zenit. I looked at the agent representatives for the likes of Driussi, Paredes, and Mammana and they're all from different agencies. Driussi is repped by Marcelo Simonian and Paredes and Mammana by much smaller agencies. It just is a bit perplexing to understand the move to Zenit. Regardless, I wish him the best.

Tucu Correa scored a lovely goal vs Arsenal in the pre-season. I am sure if he has a good season at Sevilla, he will continue to be called up.



Augusto Fernandez appears to be back. Fantastic news. He was out for nearly a year and personally, I am glad he took the full year off. ACL injuries need a full year to heal. Again, one can hope he is better than ever.

Dybala had another nice showing in the pre-season v Roma. Scored with his right foot but only to be called offside(Slightly offside). It will be a big year for La Joya and he'll want to prove himself. It will also be interesting in seeing if FCB does purchase Dybala. If they do, they should not place him on the LW, that would be suicide for both player and club. Also, when Neymar does leave and if Verratti is part of the deal or is sold off, this will give the highly talented Giovani Lo Celso much more minutes for PSG.

Di Maria might be another casuality of the Neymar saga, as PSG will need to sell off their players to make room for the FFP rule.

And the last news about PSG, Juan Foyth who was being linked to Tottenham now appears to be joining PSG.

Dybal v Roma.



River also defeated Orlando City 3-1, Barboza and Alario both scored in the pre-season. I am going to be very interested to see if Barboza will be called-up. He has done great in terms of being a solid defender and scoring quite a number of goals. Beccacece being Sampa's assistant and also being the former manager of Barboza, there could be a strong likelihood he gets a call.

 

Ruso Ascacibar is being linked to... you know it, Zenit.

https://www.ole.com.ar/estudiantes/ascacibar-va-zenit_0_1843015738.amp.html

Mammana completed the move and now Ascacibar could very likely be next.

At least on the bright side these players who are all likely gonna represent us in the future will be playing together at club level.

 

Does anyone know if these guys have the same agent?