Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players [R]

I'd say at his best and in term of pure talent, he's clearly above Higuain and on level with Kun. He has scored 10+ goals this season despite his recent slum. The problem is, just like back in the day... every new talent immidiately compared to Diego and now every new talent will be hailed as new Messi.

Take a look at his freekick for intense, Messi at his Dybala age has yet to reach that level of freekick ability.

As I said, if it's based on goal stats, Messi also did not live up to expectation in his first few years with Argentina. He entered 2010 WC with only 13 goals from about 60 matches in 5 years span and that's a fact. At one point, he failed to score a single goal in 2 major tournaments.

Before scoring on both games in recent friendlies, Aguero only scored a single goal in his previous 13 matches. However, he proof that he can still deliver for the NT in these last 2 games . In 2015, he scored 10 goals for Argentina in 10 games. Form is temporary but class is permanent.

 

That's the key. We need to give a fair chance for the likes of Dybala or even Icardi just like we've been patient seeing Higuain playing 3 major tournament finals and made Argentina a laughing stock everytime. Tevez and Messi were both given countless chances, Tevez never able to deliver and replicate his club form after 2006 while Messi becoming as good as his Barcelona form since 2012.

As you mentioned, he basically has only played 6 full games in total. He did have an assist I believe, against Singapore.

Mascherano's day as a starter is done. Him being a full back will get us in trouble everytime we get countered. When we conceided against Venezuela, Ecuador and Nigeria, we saw Masche getting bullied.

 

Did they ask about Messi having much better record than Diego as captain?

 

He had a hip injury last October and then had an operation, I believe twice. He’s back in training now with the first team and Poch said he should back after the international break.

 

He actually did well when he played in Copa last year. Even scored a few goals. Also scored when we beat Germany in friendly.

 

Ah so for four years he cared less about featuring and helping out but now he wants to be on the a big stage!!!! Such a loser

Besides, he cant defend or press which makes him somewhat of an after thought for Sampaoli

 

Yeah I don't think Pastore is a good fit regardless.

 

Pastore has no chance of making the WC squad, even mediocre players like Papu Gomez and Acosta are regarded ahead of him.

 

I don’t fault anybody who chases the dollar. However, you better have any regrets. Now it seems like Pastore regrets going to Ligue 1 and playing against cab drivers and farmers. From having a promising career when he was with Palermo to being content riding the bench and only caring to leave because he wants to play at the World Cup. That ship has sailed. He could’ve stayed in Italy and played for Juventus or one of the Milan sides who were all interested but he wanted to go to Paris and be a star. It’s too late for him to ever hit his full potential, I mean if he can bring that dynamism he had at Palermo, he would be an important player for some team. But to leave in January just to have the chance of making the final 23? I don’t see it.

 

On Lamela-

This is a rumor, yet people who know lamela have backed it up, but what i heard is his brother got really black out drunk and dove into an empty pool and almost died and is paralyzed.

Like I said this a rumor and everyone denies it and says another story like that he hit a train while driving, yet people close to River say this is the case and Erik is suffering from depression b/c of this.

I know its a serious issue so i won't go into any details I don't know for sure, but I am fairly certain this story is true

 

Seems like huge news to still only be a rumor. Wouldn't this be in a police report or something that would easily be public knowledge? That's very sad and understandable if that's the case.

 

Lamela played with the U23 side yesterday and looked good to the news feed. Over the last couple of weeks Poch has said he’s ready physically but mentally he isn’t. Perhaps playing with the sub sides he’ll give the confidence to play with the senior side.

I’m not ready to throw in the towel in for somebody like Coco, I think he still has something to give.

 

Stuttgart beat Dortmund 2-1 and Ascacibar was voted MOTM

 

That is great to hear. He is in a good place where he can develop properly.

In other European news.

Dybala scored a nice goal today(In a loss). He came on as a sub after the hour-mark. Hopefully this gets him going again. Juventus has a big match midweek v Barcelona.



2 more goals for Icardi, both headers v Atalanta. Will he get into the starting 11?

As mentioned by loco, Perotti scored in a 2-1 victory over Lazio. Here were the ratings for Fazio and Perotti.

DF Federico Fazio, 8 -- A class act. Has brushed aside worries that he couldn't play in a back four and on Saturday didn't put a foot wrong.

FW Diego Perotti, 9 -- A cheeky penalty to open the scoring and an assist for Nainggolan was the perfect way to celebrate his Argentina comeback.

Out in Mother Russia, Paredes scored on a PK, and also provided an assist from a CK for Zenit. Krane started with Paredes, Mammana and Rigoni. Both Rigoni and Krane were subbed off after the hour-mark.

In Portugal- Salvio also got a goal for Benfica.

 

I know you know my friend, but Perotti and Fazio performed so well in the Rome Derby, which is one of the most passionate and violent fixtures in the world. For me, they deserve extra points for that. I've been to it and got chased under a bridge by ultras and police throwing tear gas (much like boca fans)....

It was scary as hell, but I made it. I think fixtures that are like that just make us love this sport. You walk up to the stadium with that feeling in your gut that things will kick off at any second, I feel that at every game in Argentina, at most games in Italy, the one place i didn't feel it was spain- and i saw a barca-atletico- and a week later atletico-deportivo when falcao scored 5 goals- yet it was chill. Obviously, I was wrong bc a year alter a Deportivo fan was killed by Atletico ultras by being thrown into the river.

I think violence in the stands dos influence the players, just look are Perotti's reaction when he runs to the Curva Sud... This is the best sport in the world, yes, sadly we have violence, but its part of what makes it our game

 

Benedetto just had his ligaments torn/broken.

Out for 6-8 months.

 

Wishing him a speedy recovery. While he was on the floor, he surely knew his dream of going to Russia was over. It's always sad, it was perhaps his only chance to ever go.

This will leave the door open for Alario and hopefully Alario alone, since Dybala and Icardi should be automatic call-up's.

And BTW, Lautaro Martinez is a special talent. He came back from injury and hasn't missed a beat. He is one for the future, that is for sure.

 

Tell me about it... Just hoping we can keep him for another 6 months.

Football has some kind of things that make you think, Benedetto should've been expelled like 5 minutes before his injury...

 

Hate the injury for Boca but at least it will get Sampaoli looking at others. Lautaro was great.

 

Apparently, Dortmund scouts were at the match to scout him and he had a wonderful showing. They surely had to been impressed. Dortmund may be a good place for him to continue and develop as he is doing now. Aubameyang might be on his way out and Germany will give him a place to develop a lot better than going to England. It will be indeed difficult for Racing to keep him.

 

With Kun recent showing in NT (2 goals + multiple shots on target in 1 1/2 game), I think he will start for now but Sampa probably will also start Icardi in certain games, depending on the situation / who we face.

 

Today Sevilla came back from 0-3 down to draw 3-3 with Liverpool.

In the second half, they took off N'Zonzi and subbed on Vazquez. Hence, Sevilla was playing the second half with an entire Argentinian midfield. Pizarro-Banega-Vazquez. Pizarro destroyed any counterattacks Liverpool attempted. Banega dictated the play from deep, and Vazquez was the #10 creating opportunities for the forwards. Mercado also played the entire game as right-back, and Correa came on as a substitute and made several dangerous dribbles.

The national teams midfield has been dysfunctional and lacked chemistry for many years now. I wonder if Samp has ever considered just copying Sevilla's midfield trio. Vazquez has only played in friendlies for Italy and is still available for Argentina.