Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players [R]

Marcello tries to fouls Messi as he always does and only managed to stopped one of his shoes lol

 

He also assisted Sterling's goal. MOTM performance and he has scored close to 350 goals in his career . 308 for club and 36 for NT. I hope he avoid any kind of injury, WC is only 6 months away.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/insi...otamendi-man-citys/1ux8chmv951ht1y2k4wc9x38hf

Transformation of Otamendi.

 

It's true he has been much better this season. Before he would get caught out of position being way too aggressive on balls in the air or going to ground early. He's really cleaned that up and brings a lot more on offense. The perpetually injured Kompany no longer seems that important to the team.

 

There has been strong rumour that Icardi or Kun might go to RM, I hope it will never happen.

 

Dybala...back to his old girlfriend...back to form.

2nd goal a beautiful weaving run.

 

pic.twitter.com/7zTvkMOcc6

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) December 31, 2017

 

Kun with yet another header, a winning goal this time.

 

Honestly, I prefer Scocco for the NT. He is deadly from free kicks and shots from outside the box, two areas where Argentina is absolutely terrible.

LOL Sampaoli has called up Benedetto, so anything is possible.

 

@afar You were asking, Messi has 46 assists (wide rules) for Argentina, no idea about Fakenaldo, probably one, against Antarctica for an offside goal:

46 2016-2017 World Cup Qualification Group 15.11.2016 Colombia Di Maria
45 2016-2017 World Cup Qualification Group 15.11.2016 Colombia Pratto
44 2015-2016 Copa America 2016 Semi-Final 21.6.2016 United States Higuain
43 2015-2016 Copa America 2016 Semi-Final 21.6.2016 United States Lavezzi
42 2015-2016 Copa America 2016 Quarter-Final 18.6.2016 Venezuela Lamela
41 2015-2016 Copa America 2016 Quarter-Final 18.6.2016 Venezuela Higuain
40 2014-2015 Copa America 2015 Semi-Final 30.6.2015 Paraguay Higuain
39 2014-2015 Copa America 2015 Semi-Final 30.6.2015 Paraguay Pastore
38 2014-2015 Copa America 2015 Semi-Final 30.6.2015 Paraguay Rojo
37 2014-2015 Friendly Match 12.11.2014 Croatia Ansaldi
36 2014-2015 Friendly Match 14.10.2014 Hong Kong Gaitan
35 2013-2014 World Cup 2014 Round 16 1.7.2014 Switzerland Di Maria
34 2013-2014 Friendly Match 4.6.2014 Trinidad And Tobago Mascherano
33 2013-2014 World Cup Qualification Group 10.9.2013 Paraquay Aguero
32 2012-2013 Friendly Match 14.6.2013 Guatemala Fernandez
31 2012-2013 World Cup Qualification League 22.3.2013 Venezuela Higuain
30 2012-2013 World Cup Qualification League 22.3.2013 Venezuela Higuain
29 2012-2013 Friendly Match 6.2.2013 Sweden Higuain
28 2011-2012 World Cup Qualification League 2.6.2012 Ecuador Higuain
27 2011-2012 World Cup Qualification League 7.10.2011 Chile Higuain
26 2011-2012 Friendy Match 6.9.2011 Nigeria Di Maria
25 2011-2012 Friendy Match 6.9.2011 Nigeria Higuain
24 2011-2012 Friendy Match 2.9.2011 Venezuela Otamendi
23 2010-2011 Copa America 2011 Quarter-Final 16.7.2011 Uruguay Higuain
22 2010-2011 Copa America 2011 Group 11.7.2011 Costa Rica Di Maria
21 2010-2011 Copa America 2011 Group 11.7.2011 Costa Rica Aguero
20 2010-2011 Friendy Match 20.6.2011 Albania Aguero
19 2010-2011 Friendy Match 20.6.2011 Albania Lavezzi
18 2010-2011 Friendy Match 9.2.2011 Portugal Di Maria
17 2009-2010 World Cup 2010 Round 16 27.6.2010 Mexico Tevez
16 2009-2010 World Cup 2010 Group 22.6.2010 Greece Palermo
15 2009-2010 World Cup 2010 Group 17.6.2010 South Korea Higuain
14 2009-2010 World Cup 2010 Group 17.6.2010 South Korea Own Goal
13 2008-2009 World Cup Qualification League 28.3.2009 Venezuela Tevez
12 2008-2009 World Cup Qualification League 6.9.2008 Paraguay Aguero
11 2007-2008 Friendy Match 4.6.2008 Mexico Rodriguez
10 2007-2008 Friendy Match 4.6.2008 Mexico Aguero
9 2007-2008 World Cup Qualification League 17.11.2007 Bolivia Riquelme
8 2007-2008 Friendy Match 11.9.2007 Australia Demichelis
7 2006-2007 Copa America 2007 Quarter-Final 8.7.2007 Peru Macherano
6 2006-2007 Copa America 2007 Group 2.7.2007 Colombia Crespo
5 2006-2007 Copa America 2007 Group 28.6.2007 United States Crespo
4 2006-2007 Friendy Match 2.6.2007 Switzerland Tevez
3 2005-2006 World Cup 2006 Group 16.6.2006 Serbia And Montenegro Crespo
2 2005-2006 Friendy Match 1.3.2006 Croatia Tevez
1 2005-2006 World Cup Qualification League 9.10.2005 Peru Riquelme

 

I always wonder how assist counted sometimes... when the pass is made and its deflected slightly by another player before the goalscorer does , is it count as an assist? or if the player still has to beat 1-2 players?

There are articles which mentioned Riquelme had 3 direct assists in 2006 WC in 5 games but according FIFA article , he had 4 assists which mean his deflected pass which led to Crespo goal against Ivory Coast was counted... that or perhaps his pass to Tevez even though Tevez still had to run pass 2 players. In some other articles, Roman was second behind Totti and Pirlo.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2006/m=7/news=germany-2006-numbers-29594.html

The same situation with Messi in 2010, that deflected shot against Greece or his shot which hit the post against Greece, both led into a goal, but in FIFA stats, its not counted.

If we only counts the "direct" assist, then I think Messi has around 40 for NT so far.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copa_América_records_and_statistics
There it mentioned Messi has most assist in CA history with 11.

 

For wide rules player deflection is where it gets tricky, awarded penalty, rebound or own goal, not so much. The work player has to do after the pass has never affected it being assist. Xavi gave assist for Messi's goal vs. Getafe.

Fifa is bullshitting, they say they don't count assists with wide rules, yet they bang on Pele having six assists in WC70, where two of his assists were wide rules. Some of their World Cup's they used different methods, but never they say that, which makes them biased.

Wide rules portray better player involvement on goal on average, which is its purpose.

 

Fifa certainly also used wide rules in 86 since one of Maradona assist against S Korea was slightly deflected. Yet they didnt count it for Messi? Always inconsistent with their own rules

 

http://www.mundoalbiceleste.com/2018/01/10/lautaro-martinez-called-march-friendlies/

How good is Lautaro Martinez? I mean I have seen a couple of games and highlights from him (have been impressed), but that is not enough to really know.

Also, do we have a left back that can make runs and pass like Jordi Alba?

 

Our players are mostly static and too lazy to make runs to escape their markers , they just relying on Messi , Di Maria and Masche. That's the problem.

Player like Banega at his best is capable of controlling midfield but he never play with same determination and intensity in NT. This has been the nature of the NT in Messi era. They just expect Messi to create and scores, plus Di Maria.

I really hope there will be no fitness issue when we enter this year WC. The forwards line needs to click fast. Dybala, Icardi, Aguero & Messi all has 17-22 goals so far , so there shouldnt be any excuse that we're lacking firepower (which was the case in qualifier). Di Maria has 7 goals and 5 assists so far, which mean he's still in similar form as usual, but we all know his inconsistency in NT (both playing form and physical fitness).

I read that Sampaoli is observing 40-60 players, so I think the WC squad could be very different with the qualifier.

 

Lautaro is a very promising forward. He is a versatile forward. He's good in the air and relies more on his right foot than his left but isn't scared to shoot with his left. He may miss some chances here and there but he's only 20 and if he continues to progress as he's been doing, he could easily be a regular for the seleccion. Perhaps the most promising player in Argentina 20 and younger.

Another youngster, Ezequiel Barco looks like he is finally going to the MLS. Not exactly the best move for the kid but with the amount of talent he has, he'll make the leap over to Europe. I just hope he stays focused and continues to progress. The kid has bundles of talent and plays with a ton of courage.

Joaquin Correa could also be on the move to Inter. Inter need reinforcements, it is basically a two man team over there. And if the rumors are true, if Inter do make the CL this season, Icardi could be gone.

As for Dybala's injury. That is a shame, at least it happened during their winter-break. He should be out between 4-6 weeks. The word is that he should be ready for the CL match v Tottenham. This is a hamstring injury and it needs to heal properly. If he rushes back, the same injury could reoccur. I hope for our sake and his, he takes his time. I

As for Tevez returning to Boca and his hope to make the 23 man roster for Russia... Yeah... about that... I'd rather see Mauro Zárate than Tevez at this point(Who BTW, I am glad is back in Argentina). Pratto is a nice signing for River as well but so is Franco Armani. I haven't followed much news on him but did he ever get called-up for Colombia or does he want to play for us? I hope Sampa puts his foot down and just tells Romero that he can't start if he is not getting regular minutes. It is nonsense that he continues to not only get called-up but start for us. Enough.

Tagliafico also made the move to Europe. At least it is in the Netherlands and will be playing for a winning side. I only hope he gets some minutes and Sampa follows his progression. But regardless, I think he deserves a call for all the good he did for Independiente.

Also, Angel Correa is doing some good work at Atletico Madrid. Maybe he can make a push for the final 23. He plays with a ton of energy, which is something Sampa likes and can be a useful sub in the later stages of a game.

Garay is apparently the lynchpin of Valencia's defense and he's having a great season. Whatever supposed bad-blood there is, one can hope they can be put aside and he will accept a call-up. He was very good for us in 2014 and with Negro, I always felt secure in the back. With Otamendi playing as he did when he was with Valencia, a Garay-Otamendi partnership could be something useful.

I don't want to see Masche playing in the back. I read he played well recently, yeah, well, when you're playing once every 3-4 weeks, you probably should. He's rumored to be going to China anyways.

I am curious to see who and how Sampa will play in these up-coming friendlies.

 

Otamendi had a howler today. Even though he has improved considerably, not sure how trustworthy he is.

 

I don't understand this assessment. Throughout English papers and through the words of Guardiola, he's been given plenty of praise for the entire season. Should we question his trustworthiness for a single bad game?

Even the all-time greats have had poor games.

Look at Ayala who was turned inside out of by Bergkamp in Marseille or when he knocked the ball into our own net in the 07 CA.

 

Otamendi didn't cloak himself in glory but his partner Stones was pretty damn awful too.

 

Not one game.....his play in general throughout our qualifying games, his propensity to make rash tackles, and his liability against speed.

Salah gave him a torrid time with his speed. I don't really worry about him against physical target men, but against speedy, skillful forwards, I don't know if I trust him yet.

 

Every defender has a problem with speedy skillful forwards.

Man city just collapsed that game. Doesn't matter who's in defense.

 

A decent read on Dybala. It suggests that Juventus has no idea in how to play him. The issue in hand is Fatso. Juventus spent a ton of money on him, (To this day I am still baffled at the notion that they spend nearly a 100 million dollars on him. Yeah, okay, he scored more Serie A in a single season than anybody in history but for an aging overweight choker, it was one of the great heist's in the history of the sport) and they are basically obligated to play him.

In essence, it is saying either build the team around him, where Dybala will flourish or just sell him. It is something I have been saying. It is terrible that he's waisted the last few years in a team where he's been limited. For this to happen, Allegri has to go.

I've been saying for sometime now, Man City could be his place of destination. I could very easily see a cash+ Kun deal. When the Alexis Sanchez deal fell through, this opened the door for Dybala. United would be a terrible place for him and Madrid might try to go after him in the summer alongside Icardi.

https://www.blackwhitereadallover.c...s-paulo-dybala-max-allegri-2018-serie-a-squad

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In other news. Lo Celso and Di Maria played very well yesterday according to reports. Granted, Ligue 1 is perhaps the worst of the "Big" European leagues but I am happy to see Lo Celso growing. They've been playing him more or less as a defensive midfielder.

Here is what Emery had to say about him.

"Giovani arrived at the club a year ago and has worked very hard and patiently to create opportunities for himself," Emery told journalists at Camp des Loges. "He played one minute, then two, then 15... He has earned more and more playing time.

"Giovani has improved and progressed by working hard. He is a good example. He has trained at playing the No. 6 position in training and he has done well in this role in matches."

And here is a piece from an article on him prior to their 8-0 trashing of Dijon....

"The 21-year-old from Rosario is naturally a more attacking player and his creative streak makes him more similar to Javier Pastore than Motta, but his tenacity also makes the defensive midfield role workable for him and at this stage in his development, where he needs minutes, it is important that he is getting onto the pitch regularly."

http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/par...fensive-midfield-apprenticeship-against-dijon

Sampaoli has called him up recently so who knows if he will be called up in the near future or to the 30 man camp. Maybe we can have a promising pairing in the midfield with Paredes and Lo Celso in the future.

As for Fideo, I hope PSG won't advance too far into the CL where he will probably burn himself out as he did for years ago. He seems like an untouchable for Sampaoli. I think we should do an O/U to see how many games it will take him before he pulls out with a muscle injury.

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I watched a bit of the Sevilla v Atletico Madrid match yesterday. Tucu Correa wasn't bad. He scored a very nice goal and some nice plays. Mercado was solid in the back. Mudo Vazquez was a bit quiet. Banega had a quiet game, I didn't see a great deal from him. Granted, I only watched the second half, but outside of picking up a couple fouls and one or two okay plays, a quiet night for him. Maybe he thought he was playing for the seleccion.

Angel Correa came on in the second half and he put some energy into his side. He made some nice runs and crosses but at times he made the wrong play. But again, he could be a very useful player as a sub. He has menacing pace and finds the back of the net time to time. He seems like a player who wants to learn and grow and not be a headless chicken. So, for the time being, one can hope he will fix those issues and become a better player.

From all of these players, I believe Mercado and Banega will probably make it (Minus injuries, of course). I am not not necessarily against Banega making the team, I just don't want him to start. And I sure as hell do not want to see him start in a midfield with somebody like Biglia.

We'll see what Sampaoli will have up his sleeve in these two friendlies in March. We may get an idea how he plans to built the team for Russia.