Sure, Messi helps seal a game, but you can't just claim "team X" was going to score with such conviction. Football is an unpredictable sport and possession and chances don't always translate into goals. You know this... Besides, Panama were a man down since the first half and weren't necessarily beating Argentina with a stick *prepares for endless, useless stats comparing the team with and without Messi... maybe a few lovely gifs as well*
I didn't claim anything, Rattlehead claimed as a factual sense the game was won. I gave opinion that it was looking more like a draw as Panama was knocking on Argentinas goal. The problem in Argentina isn't just coaches, it's the psyche you just expressed. You attack Messi rather than the actual problems.
Driussi will stay at Zenit, even though it was rumored that Sampdoria had interest. He apprently didn’t want to move his wife who is deep into her pregnancy. Perhaps he’ll move in the winter market since he’s gotten barely any minutes so far. Rigoni may make the move to Atalanta, which will be a wise move for him. Paredes will perhaps stay a bit longer. He’s a regular at the club.
What do you guys make of the renovation expected for the September friendlies? Lautaro, Pity Martinez, Gio Simeone, Alan Franco, Mudo Vazquez, Ascacibar expected to receive their first call-ups. Icardi, Bustos, Paredes, Funes Mori, possibly Kranevitter — set to return
I actually really like it. A lot of names and faces we have wanted for a long time and wanted it for the mundial. It is high-time we've brought in new-blood. Caruso Lombardi.
Leo Paradizo @leoparadizo3h3 hours ago La lista en bruto! Romero, Rulli, Armani; Mercado, Tagliafico, Pezzella, Kannemann, Franco, Bustos, F. Mori; Lo Celso, Meza, Ascacibar, Battaglia, Paredes, Salvio, Acuña, Dybala, Cervi, Pity M, Vargas, Vazquez, Kranevitter, Palacios; Icardi, L. Martínez, Simeone, Pavón, Correa.
Yep, Spain surely looks like world beater by beating Argentina 6-1... yet they only 1 game just like Argentina. Germany was even worst. While Messi contribution has always been huge, we won the first 2 games before he came in and we also drew Brazil and beat Colombia (away) in qualifier when Messi was suspended. People tend to forget and ignore that.
One of Sampaoli's biggest mistake (there were many) was his loyalty towards Mascherano. Trying to play possession football against Spain with a double pivot of Mascherano and Biglia was an embarrassing mistake. I would like to see this: Rulli Bustos - Pezzella - Franco - Tagliafico Paredes - Ascacibar - Vazquez Dybala - Icardi - Correa Werner should go on loan. He won't get gametime at Atletico, they already have one of the top 3 best goalkeepers in the world.
It wasn’t just Sampaoli who bowed down to Masche, his predecessors did the same. But he’s yesterday’s news, and now we will have new players to try out. Oh, happy days are here again! ——- If Lautaro prospers as we all hope that he will, I am not sure if we will be able to leave him out of the starting 11 for a long time. But if we have Dybala, Lautaro and Icardi have great season’s and Messi decides he wants to return.... What happens? Dybala gets sacrificed? Now, who gets the #10? Maybe Dybala will get it for these friendlies... ————— It will be interesting if Mudo and Dybala get minutes together. I know they were good friends at Palermo, where they were dynamite together. They just had a understanding that some teammates wish they had. I believe both had about 12-13 assists a piece in the league that season. Hopefully, they can find that magic again. —————- As for Werner, he is on loan to Huesca.
Waiting @locoxriver comment on claiming the future. I know it wont happen though. Also without Messi Ecuador won first qualifier in Argentina ever I think. Argentina wouldn't have qualified to WC without Messi, and that's pretty easily argued with statistics. And because I like to hammer my arguments in: WCQ18 Argentina with Messi 6W-3D-1L or 21p in 10 games Argentina without Messi 1W-4D-3L or 7p in 8 games Projected with Messi 38p (1st or 2nd depending the result against Brazil) Projected without Messi 16p (Last, 2nd last or 3rd last depending the results against Bolivia and Venezuela) Yes, rest of the team was that bad.
Official Argentina list for next month's friendly matches. pic.twitter.com/YaR0BU9zwT— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) August 17, 2018 Damn that's a lot of players. Anyone know why Mercado is selected??
As for Mercado. Perhaps to have some leadership in the locker-room. I don't think he will be there for much longer, he will be phased out but this is a time for youngsters to showcase their talents. I think most of us can say we are happy with this selection.
I just finished watching Villarreal vs Real Sociedad 1-2 Villarreal dominated the game with 53% possession and 16 shots to Sociedad’s 8. Caseres was good today, he was at the heart of Villarreal’s midfield and even got an assist for the goal. It was his first game in La Liga and he did not look off the pace at all. Rulli also had a good game for Sociedad and made several important saves.
I’m excited for all the players but extremely happy to see Palacios there. I think he has immense talent that if developed, can turn him into a dynamic player.