Argentine NT: News, Stats & Players [R]

I'm not actually worry about the last game result, we've qualified and guarenteed to finished 1st since few games back, not expecting the team to treat it like KO stage matches. As I said earlier, we always had a lackluster final game everytime we many games to spare, happened in 2002, 2006, 2014, 2022 qualifiers. its always a draw or a loss. When we needed to win to qualify we won it in 2010 and 2018. Same pattern.

However, I'm worry that Scaloni seems forcing himself to give a push on Mastantuono instead of more experience and proven youngsters like Paz , Soule and Equi. They're in early 20s, same age brackets as the likes of Mac, Enzo and Julian in WC 2022 , so they've got enough game experience under their belt.

 

Let's see the level of Lisandro after he comes back from injury.

We can have Messi as a false 9 to the similar tactics that we did vs Poland 2022.

 

Messi being a false #9 is not a literal false #9 like when he was at Barca. He'd still pretty much a free roaming forward who will drift to the right & left and could drop deeper to provides a short passing option when needed. All Scaloni's forwards other than Lautaro are pretty much multifunctional player.

 

It is truly fascinating!
I would love to see many on here as coaches, as they reinvent the wheel after every quarter hour of play. It's quite frankly amazing! Not all information/input is equally valuable. One terrible match does not nullify the work of 6/7 years. It's abominable having to point this out.

 

⚠️🇦🇷 Los jugadores que hoy corren de atrás en la lista de Lionel Scaloni para el MUNDIAL:

➜ Juan Musso.
➜ Juan Foyth.
➜ Valentín Barco.
➜ Julio Soler.
➜ Equi Fernández.
➜ Alan Varela.
➜ Diablito Echeverri.
➜ Valentín Carboni.
➜ Facu Buonanotte.
➜ Taty Castellanos.
➜… pic.twitter.com/8dUkPiGEMY

— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) September 11, 2025

 

The call up in the October window is so important. The likes of Equi went to an European club, Soule is now a key player, Senesi is recovered from injury and starting. The October window will more or less show 97% of the players who will be going to the WC.

 

Article about Juan Foyth’s return since the injury (dec, 2024)and how he has brought defensive stability.

El regreso de Foyth reduce la media de goles recibidos a menos de un gol por partido - AS.com

Juan Foyth’s comeback has proven decisive for Villarreal, restoring defensive solidity and reducing the team’s goals conceded to under one per game.

The Argentine defender spent a year sidelined, missing action from December 17, 2023, until his long-awaited return on December 18, 2024. Since then, Villarreal’s defense has shown a remarkable turnaround. With Foyth back in the lineup, the team has played 25 straight league matches, conceding just 24 goals—an average of 0.9 per game.

The contrast with the season he missed is stark. During the 38 LaLiga matches without Foyth, Villarreal allowed 62 goals, equating to 1.6 goals per game. His absence highlighted just how critical his presence is at the heart of the defense.

Manager Marcelino has placed Foyth back in his natural role as a central defender, rather than on the right flank. The move has strengthened the core of the back line while also giving the Argentine a greater sense of responsibility within the team.

Foyth’s importance was further cemented this summer when Villarreal extended his contract until June 2029, a renewal seen as a priority by both the club and the coach. His leadership and composure have made him a cornerstone of the project moving forward.

With Foyth anchoring the defense, Villarreal look more resilient than ever, capable of balancing their attacking flair with newfound consistency at the back.

 

Foyth is a good squad player, but I wouldn't want him to be a starter for the national team.

Happy to see him grow as a leader at Villareal.

 

Good grief. Mastantuono is not a guy that should be mentioned based on his performance - I see he is listed on the list of 11 players that are "very close" including Nico Paz, Mast G Simeone and Balerdi.

Loved Mastantuono at River Plate, but that was as a young player. He is not ready for the WC

 

Equi with a terrible debut for Leverkusen; sent off after coming on.

 

After the big build up, sent off in his first match

 

Foyth should go to the world cup, in my opinion, can play as centre half and full back, useful squad player

 

Not the best day for our boys... Pala injured early. Echeverri didnt get a minute.

Now Otamendi with a sunday league level mistake. EEESH

 

He'll have a year to get ready.

 

Reminds me of our captain debut with NT.

 

It wasn't even all that bad. Equi will however have to understand that Europeans are soft and an average tough tackle back home constitutes a yellow in Europe.

1966600558388683178 is not a valid tweet id

 

The first yellow was stupid too. Ref was in general crap and loved the spotlight. He got carded for dissent. Which was an arm shrug. The boy will be fine he only came on after Bayer went to ten men.

 

Besides that one terrible shot, Equi showed his enough quality during the minutes he got today. Once he adapts to European football, he'll be flying.

 

Not great at all, but it would allow more opportunities for Equi at both Leverkeusen and the national team.

Exequiel Palacios out injured until beginning of new year for Bayer Leverkusen. https://t.co/yHZnJ6ya1y pic.twitter.com/trFvL3DxnU

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) September 13, 2025

 

Nico scored in his debut for Atletico. I guess his WC place is secured...

 

A Simeone casualty. A long list of players that were chewed up and spit out by him.

 

Atletico first goal did came from Giu's pressing followed by Julian assist. Nico goal was a header, something he often did at club level. You never see him doing it at NT.

 

Could be worst, but at least he'd still have half season to play, if he does recover on time.

 

I would not choose Otamendi for the WC squad. Thanks for everything you have done your bit cemented yourself into the story of the seleccion but you are not good enough anymore.

Never pick on sentiment Scaloni. Pick on form and fitness. The two sole criteria for any manager to choose a player.

Don't make any silly preformed lists now make them in May when you have had a season of seeing how players have performed. Base it on those performances not matter their age.

You already have the example of Julian, Alexis and Enzo. If we go back into the posts several months before the World Cup we all knew these players despite their youth were in form for their clubs. Still Scaloni only gave them sparing moments preferring to rely on Paredes and Papu. And we all know what happened.

In actual fact those three plus Romero plus Emi (good game yesterday and hopefully returning to form. I would not mind him working with Neil Cutler again his former keeping coach) should be the only five guaranteed names in the 23. Tagliafico & Lautaro probably too and Messi if he decided he is fit a good supersub option not a starter.

The rest it's as Barry Davies up for grabs. Form and fitness. If Scaloni decides to persist with the old core we are going to suffer.

Goalkeeping wise you cannot see beyond Emi, Benitez & Musso. Although Musso really needs to play a few more games.

Left back. Very disappointed with Scaloni. He needs to test Soler & Bernabei. The former also needs to leave Bournemouth as despite Kerkez leaving they have now signed Truffert and he is starting over Soler. So basically his career has come to a halt. I wouldn't trust Barco at all. Simon Escobar is just a kid and hats off to Velez Sarsfield. What an academy they have.

Right back Molina and Montiel. Serviceable I suppose. But Maffeo has been indifferent. It's a weak area. But I would like to see Giay called. Doing really with Palmeiras. Comfortable on the ball being a former midfielder. Built like Zanetti endless stamina and puts in those tackles although he still goes to ground a little too early and Balerdi also tries to over anticipate sometimes which leads to situations where he gets caught out as the forward nicks it past him or rolls him. He should be called up and probably a better crosser than both Molina and Montiel.

Centrebacks. Bye bye Nicolas. Welcome Marcos. If he carries on with this form he too will be leaving Bournemouth. There was a lot of interest in him before he picked up his injury. Also far more dominant in the air which is where we are weak. Cuti is not that strong aerially.

Foyth solid solid player and like Tagliafico who had a career slump showed the mental strength to come back. There was a reason why there were high expectations of him as a kid. Probably rushed off too early to Europe but now maturing into a top class CB.

Anselmino well classy youngster. If he makes sufficient of an impression at Dortmund he should be called. That would be my current four. Balerdi needs to stop being over eager.

Midfield. Varela and Equi have started well despite the farce of a red card last night for Equi. Base of midfield. Anchor and protect. Barreneachea also top quality in terms of defending and also providing aerial dominance. Equi the most creative out of the three. Again if all three have good seasons pick them ahead of Paredes. Perrone on the fringes. Next summer will be energy sapping if it is like this American summer. Palacios sad really but someone so injury prone well I am not sure anymore.

Central well we have Enzo & Mac. Not sure about RdP either to be honest. Hanging onto past glories, Messi's chum not sufficient for me. Almada as well as the creative force. Paz too if he has another good season.

Attacking wise along with Almada & Paz we should wait & see how Franco and Claudio get on although neither is being played where they are naturally effective let alone getting time as with Claudio. Buonnanotte played as an AM for Chelsea but they bypassed him much of the time so he didn't get the chance to show what he can do. Still very slight in build.

Out wide Soule for me. Natural flair and ability. Sure he tries things that don't come off but you should encourage this in young players. He's not slow either. Nico G is solid enough. Simeone is limited as is Garnacho although he kind of provided an assist last night and should have had another. These two aren't skilled like Soule turning inside a phone box but they work hard and offer the option of getting in behind with pace and we have had those sorts of players before like El Hijo del Viento. A useful option to pick one.

Upfront well Julian is maturing into a truly world class player who can do everything upfront. Lautaro well we all know what he can do and his aggressiveness and work rate too. Just leaves a spot for a back up. Again Lopez would be a useful shout mentioned him last year. We have several players in the Brasilerao who are doing really well. Scaloni should make sure he checks them out.

If Scaloni has any sense he will wait until May. He will still have a month to work with the squad and the spine of it will still be strong plus we will have the Atleti connection which also helps.