Enzo has a far higher ceiling. He can do a lot of things very well. Exactly what you need in the modern central midfielder. But he has that added quality of switching play at will, directness and that very rare quality of nabbing goals from deep. He should be with the seleccion right now. Maybe not as a starter but someone to give energy and enthusiasm when someone like RdP needs a rest. He's the direct successor. But as SM said we may have to wait post 2022. Apparently terms have been agreed with Benfica but that may be just talk.
That's very true and our options are very limited. From what I'm seeing so far, Qatar NT has not scheduled any June games so far. Because their playstyle is a bit similar to Saudi Arabia, would be great to have a friendly game with them in June.
It’s very perplexing, especially as it seems like the AFA has surprisingly done everything right since the Scaloni hire. I’m hoping they’re quietly working on what @soul24rage suggested and trying to schedule Catalonia & Basque Country. The Qatar suggestion is also a good one. I can’t imagine Qatar wouldn’t love playing Messi’s Argentina in one of his last matches before they host the WC.
It's all intentional. I heard a while ago that Scaloni was looking forward to having the players training for two weeks rather than playing friendlies. That's why he wanted the Brazil friendly off so bad, travelling = less training sessions. Since it's impossible to play a serious european opponent other than Italy, he places more value in trying out tactics in trainings and giving the players early vacations after a long season and a following one that will start earlier. Playing asian/latinamerican teams to fill the schedule has little value to us, in his view. Naturally us fans want to see more games but that's not the priority for the coach. In his view we don't need more games right now, the squad and general style of the team is well shaped already.
Good post and I do largely agree with you. Don't see the point of going to Israel or Australia just for a friendly match. However, would like to have friendly matches in Spain if possible (for example, maybe bring in the Qatar NT to Spain), just so we get more understanding of some players like how would Senesi do in the team or maybe MacAllister can change our perspective of him. As you said, fortunately for us, we have a settled starting XI and it's just figuring out the little details of squad depth. If the Italy match is the only match we'll play in June, it's going to be a bit disappointing for us fans but nonetheless better to have 2 full weeks of training camp and no travelling than senselessly going to different continents for a friendly match.
Wow Scaloni continues to read this forum lol I agree with this approach friendlies are actually bad. Our core team and style of play is already set. This isn't sampaoli where we are still discovering ourselves 2 weeks out of the tournament. Friendlies are bad because if you expirement and Lose it might affect morale and ruin our record And if you win it gives opponent a chance to adjust. No point to bother with all of that.
You've been unmasked Lionel. So you expect Enzo to become a core of the side post Qatar. Bring him in now !
Since internet is essentially part of daily life these days, I wont be surprise. I like this board cause its not too crowded and this section in particular, the regular posters clearly follows the NT, not just because of Messi like 90% out there. But if you go to the mundo site, the discussion on the post section usually dont make any sense, but its still good for laugh . Some people there keeps recommanding Buendia & Icardi militantly . You'll also get the typical 5 year old mindset posts that says Scaloni is average manager everytime we draw instead of winning.
Why can't Argentina play against Israel?, even Venezuela can get a friendly vs Malta. In our group Mexico will play 5 matches in June and Poland 6 nations league matches, so they will be more prepared than us. Due to our lack of friendly matches I think Mexico and Poland will probably top the group.
1. The team is already very settled and have a style of play. The only question is just fine tuning the squad depth, which is about 5 players max. 2. Playing against the likes of Israel and Malta and having more friendly games than others in June will not be the deciding factor of whether one tops the group or not.
But Poland only playing competitive games in June and September may negatively affect Argentina. Israel also isn't a terrible Uefa side
Playing many competitive matches does help build team chemistry and tactics, but that can only get you far. The quality of the players and the coach depends a lot as well. Would I like more friendly matches? Absolutely, but I don't want friendly matches just for the sake of friendly matches. I want matches that would help properly test our team (Don't think Israel will do that with respect to them) and the planning logistics plays a part (such as traveling to Australia for the cancelled Brazil match) as well as analyzing the players' conditions after a long season.
Many of the regular call up seems to finished the season on high notes. Di Maria with 1 goal + 2 assists in his PSG farewell match . Messi with an assist, actually 2 but the second was from his shot that hit the post (yet again) and Di Maria scored from it. RDP scored one of the best rocket of the season and A. Correa scored the winner. Tucu with a brace although couldnt prevent Milan from winning the league. Lautaro also has scored bulk of goals in last 10 games or so. Molina assisted Udinese first goal with pinpoint long cross. Molina had 8 goals + 2 assists overall this season. He could be our next right wing version of Sorin.
With Acuna and Molina bombing forward we have so many attacking options it's very scary for our opponents. Usually to have two wingbacks like this you need 3 in the back but I think Scaloni trusts in their timing and reading of the game (especially acuna). Di Paul usually does very well covering Molina's side anyway. Are the rumors true about Italy being included in the WC?
De Paul is excellent at reading the game and positioning defensively, but his tackling has a lot of room for improvement.