Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players [R]

My thoughts on the game:

Tagliafico showed great stamina and got better as the game went on. I’d like to see him play in more advanced positions if possible. Need a stronger backline and CDM for that to happen.

Guido cannot pass. We need a better option in this position. Maybe Ascacibar? Battaglia?

Dominguez seems very raw. He didn’t really do much good out there. Not a good showing these 2 games. Hopefully he will improve with more time in Balogna.

Palacios is a really exciting player! He can tackle, man mark, pass, and create plays with good vision. Hopefully he can find a home on a decent European team and really grow as a player. He is way too good to not be playing right now.

Martinez was good. How did he not score on that setup from Messi? Our keepers can NEVER make saves like that, and it is so frustrating.

Speaking of keepers...Armani…meh. I think we all want to see what Emi can do, so now is the time.

Montiel is super weak in the air. It is really dangerous having him back there and he makes me cringe multiple times per game. Hopefully Foyth will get a lot of playing time with Villareal and can take Montiel’s spot. I would feel a lot more defensively secure if Foyth is there. I don’t think Montiel created anything offensively, so what is he contributing out there?

I think J Correa earned himself some more time with that beautiful strike. He is a very different player than Ocampos, but he is good and in-form. Not sure how to incorporate him, Ocampos, Messi, Dybala, Martinez, etc. But this is a good problem to have.

As mentioned by others, this comeback from 1-0 in La Paz is huge for team morale moving forward. The team got better as the game went on, and credit to Scaloni for this. Good showing, and a great game to build off of!

 

Dude, Guido came on in the last 20 minutes or so. Granted I’m not big on him but still. The ball was just flying because of the altitude.

 

Of course we"re going to see those names on scoresheet eventually. We got multiple Correa & Martinez lol

 

Realistically speaking the 2021 Copa America squad will look something like this

GK: Armani, Andrada, E. Martinez
CB: Quarta, Otamendi, Perez, Medina
RB: Montiel, Foyth
LB: Tagliafico, Acuna
DM: Paredes, Guido
CM: Lo Celso, De Paul, Palacios, Dominguez
RW: Messi, Salvio
LW: Ocampos, J. Correa
FW: Lautaro, Dybala

I would far rather prefer Di Maria over Salvio, because even a mediocre Di Maria can make things happen. Salvio would have never scored that goal against France. However it looks like ADM has been frozen out.

 

Umm...I think it is way too early to be jumping to these conclusions.

 

Agüero is 100% making that squad if he's fit. Maybe remove Salvio.

 

Kun is a sub at this stage of his career. Lautaro can run at defenders for 90 minutes. Then if we have extra time, we bring in Kun... who manages to get injured in ET and we are out of subs...


Kidding of course. But yeah. Kun will be there.

 

Imo, Lautaro should starts these days. He shows determintation , keeps trying to take on defender, forcing them for an error. In addition to that, he has won so many fouls & penalties (at least 5 or 6 ) since 2018. Aguero aint quick enough to press like Lautaro did today in his goal. Technically Kun is more complete but like Messi, he couldnt run tirelessly anymore. As as sub? Yes, but Copa still a bit far away, Icardi could somehow make a buzz.

I think Ocampos shouldnt be replace, cause he's someone who could act as third striker in attacking situation, kinda like Di Maria but from central postition. He's been scoring like a striker in Sevilla.

Varzil did their job today . You can expect them to cancels many of our goals in this qualifier while their beloved team will continue to get the benifit.

 

I’ve got to admit, we did quite well without important pieces to this team. I’d be interested to see Lo Celso in that midfield with Paredes and Palacios. I think De Paul will be subbed but who knows. As ASF mentioned we need to get rid of Otamendi. I think Scaloni sees the game well and he will get rid of him but maybe after the CA
or pulls up with an injury. Montiel worries me but what can we do right now? We can’t play with a back three with the players that were called.

We beat a capable Ecuador side who beat Uruguay 4-2(They were 4-0 and fell asleep the last few minutes...) And went to La Paz and got 3 more points. Winning there is never easy. Lautaro must have some crazy lungs because the boludo was still running late in the match causing problems.


Next round is in a month.
Paraguay-We should win this. Then it is away in Peru. Playing in Peru is tough at times but they won’t have fans, which will benefit us. Peru prior to that will be @chile and you know whenever those two go at it, it is a battle.

Then the real test begins in March. Home v Uruguay and a few days later @Brasil(Who prior to playing will be at Colombia).


So, we need to continue to pick up full points at home v Paraguay and at the least get a draw @Peru. But we should win both... should.

There will also be a couple more games prior to the CA. Home v Chile and then away with Colombia.

 

You cant help but feel vindicated. Palacios was arguably MOTM. Salvio wouldve never even came close to that level. Loved that Scaloni had the balls to put him on and was rewarded. Now I beg you replaced Otamendi, kinda smirking at the reaction by @SupaMario I told you he's a catastrophe lol. There's like 3/4 better options.

Messi effort yesterday shouldnt go unnoticed he was immense. Lautaro for all his hard work was very poor. He got rewarded for his hard work but the numerous plays died on his feet. Did well on the 2nd goal but he needs to be much better. Although this is a rarity for him he's usual golden. So, not worried he's a undisputed starter for me.

 

La importancia de Palacios en la presión alta en la previa del segundo gol de Argentina: dos veces salta a presionar a un rival para evitar la superioridad numérica de Bolivia en la salida. Mirá: pic.twitter.com/K29MFyJLCe

— Vicente Muglia (@VicenMuglia) October 14, 2020

 

I am so happy with Palacio's performance and was surprised that he got the whole 97 minutes since he hasn't been playing at all for his club. A few times during the game he was bent over and I thought he was going to throw up lol, but then he came up with some more sprinting.

I knew he had this talent in him based on his past (friendly) performances with the NT. Glad he took it to the next level for a competitive match on very difficult away soil.

I hope this buys him some playing time at Leverkusen.

I am super excited to see the inclusion of Lo Celso in this midfield. He has already progressed so much playing for Tottenham since we have seen him last in the NT. He is playing more as a complete CM, chasing to win the ball. Exactly what we need from him on top of his offensive talent and ball skills.

We just need him to stay healthy.

Lo Celso, Palacios, Paredes, and De Paul (choose 3 based on form) is a pretty silky smooth creative midfield with good work effort. If only Paredes could take that next step and elevate his effort and defensive game....I still have hope.

 

Do you guys think that introducing young players into the NT gives them a better chance of making the switch to a top European league?

Players like Tagliafico and Guido Rodriguez did not get noticed by European clubs until after they made their debut for Argentina. Who knows, maybe if Palacios did not make his NT debut at the age of 19, he would be playing in MLS right now.

There are a lot of Argentines going to MLS. The good news is that none of them are major talents apart from Barco (who is injury prone).

I feel that players like Fausto Vera and Thiago Almada should be introduced in La Seleccion soon. That will give them a better chance of moving to Europe and further developing. Also, they have done well at youth level so they deserve a chance.

 

I dont think there's any correlation... Dybala got called up(eventually) after his move to Europe. Same with Lautaro, Di Maria, Kun.

Additionally, these players you mentioned should stay in SA for a little while longer. Europe isnt the be and all end for development. Countless players from SA go far too early for $$ only to stagnate in Europe. See Casesres, Correa, and a bunch of others.What the should do is first gain a starting role establish themselves with their club team then move to europ preferably a mid table side. That's the blue print for me.

 

I wasn't aware that Argentina had any sorts of rivalry with Bolivia lmao

 

I asked this question a few months back. I say yes. He is on form and could be a useful player. But where does he play if he starts?


As for Bolivia. One of their physios said it wasn’t a big deal, said they were just typical argentine insults, and said even one of his son’s middle name is Lionel because he’s an admirer of Messi. I’m not sure what Martins is talking about. But he’s a decent player, he can start for any Liga Mx he wants.

 

For me, I don't think Papu will play as long as Messi is starting. I think Scaloni sees him as a back up for Messi as they have similar roles to the team imo.

I would still take him in the squad if he is as consistent as he has been for the past few years. I think he will be good till then and I expect Scaloni to take him to the Copa 21.

 

Argentina only has rivalry with Brazil, all the other south american countries have "rivalry" with Argentina but it's one-sided.