Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players [R]

I was thinking the other day about Italy and 2006. Since that, it appears the Italians have fallen on their face, even though they reached a Euro final after that, which they were crushed. So, if we had won 2006 but then failed to get out the next two group stages and possibly fail to even qualify for 2018(There is a strong possibility that Sweden pushes through and Italians are left at home) would have I accepted this fate?

A third star is forever but I'd be pretty upset if we'd get knocked out of the following two tournaments and then miss out on 2018. It appears the Italians are simply not making those great players that they once did. There are some promising players that are coming up but nothing of the pedigree that we once saw.

 

Yes.

 

I've been watching the second half of the Marseille match, Ocampos had already scored 1 goal in the first half and he's done well in the second. Drawing foul's, and nearly scoring a second, which his shot went off the crossbar.

Ocampos with an assist now. He's looked good.

Rigoni has also scored for Zenit. Krane, Mammana, Driussi, Paredes, and Rigoni have all started for the match. Driussi has been subbed off in the 62nd minute.

Rigoni with a hat-trick.

I agree, a third star is forever but shit man, after 12 years I would've wanted something more. I've told myself if we were to win it in my lifetime(Even though i was 2 when in 86, but what the hell do you even remember at 2?), I think I will stop watching the sport because of the joy. But this isn't the case, you continue to watch and want more.

 

Israel? Were Kuwait and Qatar too busy or something?

Maybe we can play Chile, I hear they'll be free.

 

Germany is playing France and England; Brazil is playing England and Japan. Spain is playing Costa Rica and Russia.

I would have preferred a strong African rival, one that will bunker down -- but all the African teams are in Qualifiers still.

AFA wants to get paid --- Ukraine and Georgia aren't paying enough.

Maybe the Netherlands/Bosnia/Turkey/Wales/Czech would have been good --- to see alternate playing styles.

 

No, I wouldn't make that deal. That would be too sad to see three tournaments pass us by.

Making finals is still a pretty big deal.

 

If Sampaoli really wants it the friendlies will happen.

 

I was referring to the World Cup tournaments, like Italy. For example, if we had won 06 then failed to get out of the group stages in 2010 and 2014 and then failed to qualify for 2018 would I have accepted that.
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Ocampos


Rigoni

 

I actually wonder why we never play England since Messi debuted in NT. It has been more thaj a decade since we played them in friendlies.

 

Well ,I would. However, Argentina most likely will end up qualify. Remember that we are still qualified automatically even in 2010. At the worst we're still going through at least by winning play off like in 1994. I'm only 3 years old in 86 but I do remember the local sport channel keep showing a footage of this little man in blue white shirt dribbling pass everyone and scored which just stuck in my mind since then.

I was close to witness that again when I watched my first WC in 90 when Diego made that run against Brazil. I didnt understand much about football at the time but my dad has always love Argentina team and he watched Argentina lifted the title in 78 & 86. In fact he still remember lots of details of the 78 WC.

 

Well, as I said Messi could easily skip CDR until at least semifinal. Barca will have no problem winning that tournament even without Messi. RM often reach final despite resting CR. Messi has won that tournament countless time and that certainly a tournament that he could easily skip if he's wise enough to conserve more energy for WC.

Barca is 99% will advence to second round in CL, I know they must want to finish #1 to avoid tougher opponent in round 16 but Barca is 3 points ahead of Juve so 1 more win and they could easily rest Messi for remaining 2 games. I'd say Messi need to skip at least the last group stage match. I hope Juve drop points so Barca can qualify earlier and rest him.

As for CL knockout stage and league games, you cant expect him to be rested in those games since he's a profesional player and the club paid millions $$ for his contract Its not just him, the likes of Neymar and CR will also play those games until their team secure the title.

 

Players selected for next month's qualifiers. Based on Kranevitter's recent performances in Russia, he deserved this call-up

 

Qualifiers? We're still not in??

 

LOL....

Perotti and Pezzella called up....with Nacho and E. Perez also being called up, I am really happy with the squad. Rigoni has been doing really well, too.

Zenit would probably do pretty well in the CL too. I hope Paredes-Nacho-E. Perez get their shot in the mid.

Paredes had a beautiful run and reverse pass to Icardi in the last minute of the game against Ecuador...the kind of pass Messi would be proud of.

Where is SupaMario's favorite player....the Juve #9?

 

I think that was Perez not Paredes?

 

I am almost 99% sure it was Paredes, but I might be wrong.

We will be playing Nigeria in the 2nd game, November 14 -- confirmed.

Russia Nov. 10
Nigeria Nov. 14
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Sampaoli's interview today -- from mundoalbiceleste.com:

Jorge SAMPAOLI on Gonzalo HIGUAIN
“HIGUAIN is a player that’s always present. He has nothing to prove. It’ll be up to us to evaluate if HIGUAIN will be at the World Cup or not.
“Making sure that players are able to play with each other is a coach’s job. I don’t see it being that difficult for MESSI and DYBALA to be able to complement each other on the pitch.


Jorge SAMPAOLI on Argentina
“The friendly matches are confirmed. We will play against Russia and we are in advanced talks for the second one. Argentina are in the elite. Germany Spain have the advantage becasue they’ve had the same ideas for years. A coach knows that one day he is insulted and the next he’s not. I am aware of that. I had to complete the goal of a country who’s main priority is football: That was to qualify.

“The list won’t change much from the last one (domestic based list), it’ll be four or five players from the domestic league. If there are players from Boca or River Plate, they will travel after the Superclasico.

Jorge SAMPAOLI on Lionel MESSI
“Leo brings what he always brings: Being the best player in the world. I’ve always had a Leo that was committed, amateur and full of emotions. I’ve been thrilled to see MESSI. Seeing him committed excites us all.

Jorge SAMPAOLI on Sergio AGUERO and others
“AGUERO gives us a chance of a partnership with Leo (MESSI) on the pitch. I also see him as a number 9. Today, we have the chance to pick among the best forwards in the world. The partnerships between players should be a lot.

“The obligation to win is something that has been generated in football. They’ve discarded the idea of losing. We must try to relieve the obligation to win and make the team feel happy.

“These matches will help us evaluate PEROTTI and KRANEVITTER. I see ROJO as a central defender and not as an attacking full back. But for ACUNA I do.

“The AFA President has always been by our side.

“I’ve come for this: To coach Argentina at the World Cup. A World Cup is totally different from the qualifiers. The obligation to win sometimes makes you doubt yourself. Now we have to prepare. We are going to be on top of every player to ensure they reach the World Cup in the best way.

“The World Cup draw brings in a mountain of emotions. It’s very important to see what the group brings you. It’s not the same to play an Italy or an England in the first round.

 

Also --- back-ups:

"If any of these players are not able to make it, there are eight players who Jorge SAMPAOLI has as backups:

Joaquín Correa,
Angel Correa,
Guido Pizarro,
Emanuel Mammana,
Giovanni Lo Celso,
Manuel Lanzini,
Gerónimo Rulli &
Emanuel Insua.

He also revealed that he is closely monitoring the recoveries of both Ramiro FUNES MORI and Marcos ROJO.

In terms of the local based players: Darío Benedetto (Boca), Enzo Pérez & Nacho Fernández (River) would be the local players that are picked. Also, there will be a fourth player that gets picked and that would come from either: Fabricio Bustos (Independiente), Pablo Pérez (Boca) or Lautaro Acosta (Lanús)."

 

I want Sampaoli to play a Kranevitter-Paredes midfield. Krane has gotten a lot of stick for not living up to high expectations, but from what I've seen at Zenit, he links up very well with Paredes. Argetina's midfield usually has no chemistry anyway, so we might as well take advantage when clubs play multiple Argentines in midfield.

Also, I don't understand what Musacchio has to do to get a call-up. He's outshined Bonucci so far this season.

 

In my opinion Krane is younger version of Biglia , decent player but not great in one aspect of Medicampista's job unlike Veron, Mascherano and Redondo. Paredes and Lanzini could offer that in my opinion.

 

You can write off Pereyra being anywhere near the seleccion even if he was in contention in the first place. He is picking up injuries all the time.

Rodrigo Battaglia deserves looking at. He has become far more of a defensive midfielder at Sporting and is not tasked with forward play but he is quite capable of playing from that position to get the ball moving.

Asascibar has taken the chance given to him by the injury to Stuttgarts captain Gentner. The Lion has improved his discipline, his passing is exemplary and he wins most of his tackles, reads the game well and even forays forward into dangerous positions. His coach trusts him only taking him off once when on a yellow card and he is becoming a fans favourite. Samp needs to bring him into the seleccion quickly.

All teams need a blend of youth and experience. The former will bring more dynamism something which is sorely lacking in midfield at present.

 

Kranevitter is more of a Gago than a Biglia but he has played very well as an #8 this season with Zenit. Maybe its because hes not a lone #5 and gets to play alongside a passing specialist (Paredes) that his duties are strictly tailored to press, pass, and support the attack positionly.