Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players [R]

Sy, apparently when Dybala was subbed off today around 67 min mark, Dybala mouthed off to Allegri by stating "la concha de tu madre". I didn't see it happen, so it may have happened after. But you could visibly see Dybala was pissed off when he got taken off. He was playing well, he had an assist from an FK and was the catalyst for two other goals as well.

I didn't understand the substitution though, he was playing well and Fatso was playing like shit. I understand they were a man down but they were 4-2 in the game v Udinese.

I think Allegri will get the door. I am not a fan of players pushing managers out but it obviously happens. Managers are replaceable but special talents are difficult to find.

 

As for Sampa's list, I think it is fairly good. I have given up complaining about Biglia and Banega. I just hope that Sampa comes to his senses and doesn't play either of these bozos, or he at least drops one of them. He was close to pulling the trigger in starting Paredes over Biglia but I suppose he went with experience over youth. Perhaps he will change this up.

The addition of Perotti. I think that is a good call, for the last year he has been a valuable player for Roma. I read time to time his shooting isn't very good but he connects well with the attacking core of Roma. He can play on the wing and he can attack through the midfield. Perotti gets his wish, he's wanted to be called up for a long time now, let's hope he makes the most out of it.

Krane. I don't know. I was never fully convinced when he played for us. But Sampa knows him well, he had him in Sevilla last season, maybe he'll get something more out of him than what we saw under Tata.

I would've liked to have seen Alario get a call as well, especially that Benedetto is rumored to be called up. Alario can be a difference maker. His reumé has shown us that.

As I stated before, Sampa likely sees Kun as a #9 option as well. You can tell Sampa will have a few ideas and won't go with one concrete plan, or at least that is what I believe.

But we need to see Icardi in our starting 11. He is currently the best #9 we have and possibly one of the best #9's in the world. It is time for Sampa to figure out how to play the Messi-Icardi and Dybala partnership. No more pussyfooting around this, we need players that will give us goals. I know we tried it with Uruguay and Venezuela but we will have a couple more games where they can get it going.
Going into 2014, all we did was score goals in the qualifiers but at the tournament itself, we failed to reproduce that magic due to injuries and other circumstances. Maybe in 2018, the opposite can occur, we find our magic in front of goal.

At least we got a second game and against a physical side that will have pace and strength in Nigeria. Let's only hope that some Nigerian prince didn't call up the AFA offering them wealth and a lifetime of happiness if they would play them in a friendly.

And finally, it nice to see Sampa monitoring other players and he hasn't finalized his list. I know he will call 30 to camp and only 23 will make it, but it is refreshing to see a manager that has other players in mind.

 

As much as I dislike Biglia, he did well in last 2 games (even almost scored), I think what we're lacking is a true attacking playermaker/midfielder to play alongside him since Biglia does not offer much of offensive threat. n

But if the last game is any indication of Sampa finally using Messi more as goalscorer instead of playmaker , this would mean we're going to get more goal in future games regardless who we played.

I believe what Dybala needs is 1-2 goals to lifted that preasure from him. It also took Messi like 7-8 games before scoring his first goal in NT so Dybala should just calm down a bit more. He look rushed everytime he played in NT and it was noticable even when playing weak team like Singapore. Icardi will scores soon or later, he had 3-4 chances denied by goalkeeper but he's a constant threat in front of goal and that goal against Venezuela also came from his movement.

 

I don't see the point of calling up Benedetto again. We've already seen what he can do. Now is the time to keep evaluating. Let's see what Alario brings.

 

Acuña is doing well with Sporting Lisbon. He scored a brace over the weekend. I think he could be a valuable player. Even though his first showing under Sampa was somewhat poor, he's done well over the last few games. He's attacked with menace and has defended with confidence. I hope Sampa continues to try him out if we continue to play with a back three. I'd still like to see Tagliafico and Jose Luis Gomez tried out in the fullback spots, even though JL Gomez has been called a couple times but has never been given a chance outside of those friendlies we played with Sampa.

As for our boys in Zenit. The big match of the weekend, Zenit v CSKA Moscow ended 0-0. Mammana, Paredes, and Rigoni all started. Krane came on for Rigoni a little over the hour mark. Dirussi was sidelined with an injury and did not get any minutes.

A nice cutting pass from Paredes from the match.

Pase riquelmeano de Paredes (@LParedss) Por ahora CSKA 0 - Zenit 0. pic.twitter.com/R9jqjL10Hn

— Martín Álvarez (@AlvarezzMartin) October 22, 2017

 

Alario with another goal today.

Icardi with 2 more, could've had a hat trick. There is little to no stopping him in Italy right now. Inter outside of Coppa Italia doesn't have other matches besides league play, so that is good news for us.

Messi took a break from the CdR, they won 3-0 in an away match, so looks like he'll get another day's of rest there.

 

Icardi on fire...his link-up play and ability to head the ball....both splendid.

 

Incoming...@RiverGaucho asking for that fraud Sampa, to call up Scocco.

 

Icardi finishing looks very similar to Crespo.

 

I know i wasnt the only one who "hated" Crespo in the NT as a child.

Mainly because of the supposed rivalry with Batistuta. And one as a kid rooting for one over the other.

Then one grows up and comes to respect him as a player and striker.

2002 and Bielsa not using them together still in our memories...

We couldve taken the 2007 copa america if he hadnt injured himself too.

 

This curse started even before that. Saviola hit a hattrick in first game of Copa 2004 and then got injured. The same with Di Maria in 2014 & 2015 and then Lavezzi who had been brilliant before the 2016 final. Aguero was also injured multiple times in 2014, including in WC itself.

We can only hope that pattern will not repeat next year....


As for 2002, Bati was already going downhill because his ankle injury that actually led to his retirement and actually almost had his leg amputated! He only played like 20 matches that season and only scored 6 goals. Crespo on other hand was league top scorer and most expensive forward at one point. Not to mention Crespo scored more than anyone in qualifier at the time (before Messi surpassed him recently). I think Bati's winner against Nigeria gave Bielsa a false impression that he still at his best. Crespo still managed to score despite playing about 10 minutes. It sucks because if he started and score just one more goal, England would be out and Argentina will be through.

 

Dybala with a great FK today that resulted in a goal. Too bad he isn't right footed, because I wouldn't mind him taking some of our FK's. I caught the second half of the game, he was a bit quiet to be honest. He's still hasn't regained that magic he played with early in the season. Perhaps those back to back PK's misses are still hurting him. Who knows. But he does have 11 goals in 11 matches in the league

Gio Simeone scored a fantastic goal, also had an assist for Fiorentina.



Chucky with two more goals for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukrainian Cup.

Lanzini with two assists in their surprise victory over Tottenham in the EFL cup(One coming from the CK).

 

Head coach of the Argentina national team, Jorge Sampaoli, is ready to pair Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi and Juventus’ Paulo Dybala in his attack, when they take on Nigeria in an international friendly on November 14.

Sampaoli is seeking to try out a new formation, as he prepares the South American giants for the 2018 World Cup.


Argentina will play two friendly games in Russia. They face the World Cup hosts, before clashing with the Super Eagles in Krasnordar few days later.

Sampaoli says he will set up a partnership between two of his best fowards, who are also the top scorers in their respective leagues.

“There are players that are at strength when they play together, and there are others who do not for the short time of work. I’ll try to have the best player with someone from Dyabala level,” he told local media.

“Messi and Dyabala can occupy places naturally without affecting our structure, the error in pairing players occur when you want to structure the talent. Here they have to be liberated and they can develop for the good of the team.


“We’ll try to test them together in attack in our friendly games in November, hopefully it will work and work well for the benefit of the team at the World Cup.”


Categories: Sport

 

So, Messi and Dybala will be starting, that is a positive. They'll have two more games to get it together(Then a couple more in March and probably 1 or 2 before the World Cup). Let's hope Dybala is back in form for these friendlies. Perhaps he can start v Milan over the weekend. Hopefully, Icardi is in the mix to start as well.

ADM had two assists today for PSG, one was a beautiful lob pass. Lo Celso had about 25 impressive minutes when he came in as a sub.

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Vietto... I think his time in Europe will probably come to an end shortly, or at least in Spain. I didn't see the match from a couple days back, he got to start and he missed a few chances, two of them being 1 v 1 against the GK. I wasn't ever convinced by that 1 good season he had with Villarreal, I wanted to see a bit more. But going to Atletico probably hindered his progression and his confidence plummeted. Then he was loaned out to Sevilla and failed to make an impact under Sampa. I knew there was a bit of talent there but Jesus... he seems to have forgotten how to play the game.

 

Di Maria also helped to setup Messi first two goals against Ecuador... the problem though, he's in good form once in every 3-5 matches. Not to mention his fitness problem. We've seen him from time to time when he's about to dominate the game and then got injured. I just have this bad feeling that it could possibly happen at some point in Russia 2018...

I agree that Dybala should take some of the NT freekicks. Granted Messi has scored freekick multiple times in WC qualifiers, in Copa and even at WC, but to let another FK specialist take a few wont hurt. At least Messi should let Dybala take it if he's already in scoresheet.

Messi should be playing very close to the goal most of the time like he did against Ecuador. He should be the one on receiving end of the pass. Dybala can play in deeper position, not the other way around.
Against Uruguay and Venezuela, Messi played in midfielder position. He's less less dangerous there when playing opponent who will park the bus and play counter, because the two forwards infront of him would be surrounded by defenders already.

 

You know how much i respect you man, and that guy rattle head just posts unintelligible things after everything you post... But as you predicted... I must call for Scocco to be the #9 of the national team... The man just scores goals in big games unlike the boca player who i won't mention... If Sampaoli were a fair coach, which he isn't, Scocco would be called up... Im not gonna hold my breath, but I hope you all can see just how good he is. Just a #crack

 

As much as I know Scocco deserves a spot, I know better than to debate it here. Remember, both times we won the World Cup we had a River keeper... Just keep that in mind.... Never had a boca player in the first XI... Speaking 100% objectively, if Benedetto with no important goals under his belt got a shot, and couldn't even head a ball, then Scocco who has been out of this world the last 2-3 months... It may be my bias, but I just can't look past him, he just scores goals, has great heading, great free kicks... He's literally our young johnny u... His bro de la cruz is also saucy

Also remember please be respectful, just how good some of our players are. Alario has not missed a beat in Germany with 3 goals in 5 games, we need more like him who just hit the ground running, its hard but it needs to be the goal.

 

A Grêmio-River final will be enticing and a a match I will watch closely(Naturally if both teams progress that is). As for Scocco, I was a fan of his during his time at Newell's, he's got a great shot but let's be honest here, who does he push out of the team if everybody is healthy.

Three locks.
Messi
Dybala
Icardi

All but locks
Kun(Yes, I know, but his friendship with Messi will likely get him a ticket there)

Who does that leave?
Benedetto
Alario
And let's throw in Scocco.

Who are you going to want to take from these three? The answer is clear and it is Alario. Nothing against Scocco but Alario has a better resumé and is younger. If River make it to the final and Scocco hits a hat-trick against the brazucas then he has an argument.

There is still time for players to make an impression.

 

You make a good point, sir. One thing Alario adds is a "plan b"... If its all going to shit, he's the kind of player we can just hit crosses to, Falcao style... It worked for us with Falcao against Botafogo playing down a man, it was a miracle....

Now as for your thoughts on Nacho- I must say, I don't see him as the future of the seleccion... But I see him as a Falcao type, as a guy who just gets goals in big moments. There are no brazilians with those characteristics.... Nacho is just savage. Just wait till he does in those brazucas (they want to secede apparently), here in northern greater bs as no one wants to leave ever... He will sink Lanus again, then Gremio... Its just what he does and he's unstoppable, like some wild animal, and knowing he's a River supporter just makes it better

 

As I said, just wait till Nacho gets a chance to rip again, his shot IMO is just ferocious, the best in the USA IMO, and I think thats something all teams need to do more- rip shots from outside the box. Obviously there is much more pressure in Argentina, but we still need to make sure people realize just how important it is...

Just touching on Scocco's time Newells- yes I am sure he regrets 2 years of his career just playing for nothing, but I see that is why is so motivated. He is 32, but in football terms he's only 30 bc he played so few games the last few years. I think he's the best Argentine striker, I don't see anyone but Icardi even close, so lets hope he stays healthy and that Sampaoli, the boca supporter, gives him a shot

 

If Scocco does everything as your premonition says then I believe he will get a fair shake from Sampa. That is one thing I have noticed about Sampaoli, he calls up players that are mostly on form. Even though he calls up muertos with the likes of Biglia, Banega, and Romero but he has decided to call up players like Icardi, Paredes, Mammana, Pezzella and etc. He's brought in new blood and has also got rid of dead weight like The Fatso of Turin.

 

You'll want him to bury the brazucas like this.



Come on Gaucho, this picture should win you some points over for Sampa.

 

I don't know if my premonition was of the Final itself, but i honestly believe he is the guy who can take us to the third star. Obviously, it didn't work out for him in the premier league, but now he is with a club that he has supported since birth, his parents come to every game, his family is around him, and that does make a difference... Remember el Burrito Ortega? a true world class crack who played 3 world cups, just couldn't handle Europe for a number of reasons... There are other examples, but just because someone fails at a failing club in Europe, doesn't mean he's bad...

So i'm not calling for Nacho Scocco to start, but I think he deserves a run out, especially considering the recent choices of the DT