Gabriel BATISTUTA: “We have to copy National Teams”

By
Roy Nemer
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52

Argentina legend Gabriel BATISTUTA spoke about the Albiceleste’s current situation as well as Gonzalo HIGUAIN and Jorge SAMPAOLI.

The former Fiorentina striker was speaking on Radio La Red where he expressed his concerns and gave his thoughts on everything going on. Here’s what he had to say:

Gabriel BATISTUTA on his concerns:

“We have to copy the National Teams that are doing things well. It would be a lack of respect not to listen to TAPIA (AFA president). I would have to talk and express all of my concerns.

Gabriel BATISTUTA on Gonzako HIGUAIN:

“I believe they treated him very badly. He failed in moments where everyone was hoping he wouldn’t fail but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to play. Furthermore, he’s a world class forward. Who goes to Russia? None of the three (HIGUAIN, ICARDI and BENEDETTO) deserve to be left out of the list.

Gabriel BATISTUTA on Jorge SAMPAOLI:

“We still haven’t seen SAMPAOLI apply his style. Hopefully what SAMPAOLI has is more than what we have seen so far. It was difficult for him to work in this situation because it was a delicate moment (when he took over and during the World Cup Qualifiers) but he was given two very easy matches at home (against Venezuela and Peru) where people were only expecting victories and that put a lot of pressure on him.”

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52 Comments

  1. Looks like a good debate going on about our starting goal keeper.

    Rulli: There was a time when myself, like many others thought he is the natural heir for the position. Right now I think he is not ready. Right now, I also think he will never be ready. He has not developed at all from what he was 2 years back. Whatever be the reason, I do not know and I am not investigating. He has stagnated as a decent GK. Real Sociedad or West Ham or Atalanta is not the issue. Problem is he has not raised his game from the initial potential he showed.

    So, unfortunately, although I hate to admit, I would prefer Romero in the goal over Rulli.

  3. If someone like Sampaoli thinks that Romero is a starting goalie, we can only hope that he knows what he is doing. The thing about Romero is he can be brilliant and a moment later commit a howler. Great shot stopper but not commanding with crosses and rarely coming out of the line to sweep up (which in Sampaoli’s high defensive line could come handy). Not having a regular playing time can never be a good thing for any player no matter how much training they get. The guy is far from flawless, the goal we conceded against Brazil in Buenos Aires during the qualifiers was kind of his fault.

    In any case, all things considered, I can live with Romero remaining in goal, we have an attack minded coach so our focus should lie elsewhere on the pitch…

  4. ”I would pick Rulli over Romero because he plays week in week out. Guzman is a good choice too.”

    Yea, Rulli the guy who conceded 25 goals in 4/5 games in a row should be Argentina starting goalkeeper at the world cup? The guy who made that rookie error against Zenit FC in the Europa league should be Argentina goalkeeper? Rulli performance at the Olympics is not worthy of starting for Argentina on the world biggest stage.

    Rulli should start for Argentina because he starts for Real Sociedad? This logic makes no sense. Why not use the Belgrano, Banfield, Quilmes, Lanus etc. keepers as starting goalkeepers for Argentina?

    The world cup is too big of a stage for a player like Rulli who will be out of his league. Rulli is a decent young keeper at best, but not world cup winning material.

    Romero kept goal in four consecutive finals conceding only one goal over 450 minutes yet Rulli should be ahead of him? Put down your PS4 or Xbox!

    How many finals and big games have Rulli ever played in? Rulli played for a mid-table team in Spain which is no better than playing for a team in Argentina.

    You think bringing an almost entire new/inexperience team to the world cup is a good idea if you want to challenge for the cup? Yes, one or two new faces at best but that’s about it. The goalkeeper position is the toughest at the world cup and that’s where you need the most experience and level headed person.

    I just don’t see a Real Sociedad goalkeeper being a world cup winning goalkeeper. Going back to 1998, all the teams that won the world cup had goalkeepers who played for Manchester United, Juventus, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. Brazil 2002 was the only exception.

    A Manchester United goalkeeper will always be the starting goalkeeper for his national team irrespective of whether he is first or second choice at the club. Romero is second choice to De Gea (the guy everyone claim is the world best goalkeeper). Nothing to be ashamed about when it comes to being second choice to De Gea.
    You can’t just wake up one day and select a brand new team for the world cup within a couple of months and expect to be a real contender no matter which nation you’re representing. You need experience in the team and players from the most recent world cup. Why is this so hard for some people to understand this? Not because you like a certain player that mean he is any good.

    When Spain got knockout of the world cup in 2006 during the semifinal stage they had players like Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Fernando Torres, Xavi, Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Fabregas, David Villa and Pepe Reina. All these guys played in the 2010 final with the exception of Pepe Riena who was on the bench. Busquet, Pedro, Pique and Capdevilla were the new faces in the Spanish lineup compare to the 2006 team.

    This was the same case for Germany in 2010 who then went on to win in 2014.

    You can’t just throw players from all over the world into the Argentina national team in a short period of time and expect Argentina to be a serious contender at the world cup in 2018 with no history of playing together or some form of continuity. You guys put up these ridiculous lineups every day on Mundo acting as if this is some FIFA game. ‘’This is my team for the world cup,’’ then you see some names nobody ever heard or seen before. Yea, we have Messi, so just put Messi on the field with ten other new players who had no prior experience at the highest level be it world cup or UCL and Argentina will do even better than in 2014. The naivety on here sometimes can be so mind boggling.

    Do I believe Sampaoli should add at least 3-4 fresh faces on the Argentina team for the world cup? Of course, as long as they’re a good addition and can compete on the world biggest stage when called up on. Enough with these immature and nonsensical lineups that nobody outside of Mundo will take serious.

    • Hahaha got ya fired up hahaha. I didn’t think my dream starting XI would hurt you so much.

      here it is again

      My team (based on currently fit players)
      GK Rulli ( Real Sociedad)
      RB Mercado (Sevilla)
      CB Otamendi (Man City)
      CB Mammana (Zenit)
      LB Pasquini (Lanus)
      CM Pizarro (Sevilla)
      CM Paredes (Zenit)
      CM Banega (Sevilla)
      RW Messi (Barcelona)
      CF Icardi (Inter)
      LW Correa (Sevilla)

      Since 1986 onwards the starting goalkeeper for World Cup winners has been under 30 .no exceptions. Anyway our defence has been super good over the last 4 years so Romero looks better than he is.Romero should be on the bench his good at that.

      I think playing for a midtable club in Spain would be better for a players development than playing for Boca or River.Augusto fernandez(Celta Vigo)
      Zabaleta(Espanyol)Garay (real santander)Caballero(Elche)would not have become who they were if they stayed in Argentina.

      Ok Pasquini is an oddball choice but I honestly think his the best attacking left back we have.If I took my own advise I should pick Jonathan Silva and Acuna on the left side for the Sporting Lisbon connection.

      A younger team based on club connections would absolutely smash a team based on old timers over their peak.

      Italy 06 had Juventus(Buffon,Cannavaro,Zambrotta,Camonoresi) Milan(Pirlo,Gattuso) Roma(Totti,Perotta) club connections.

      Spain 10 had Barcelona

      Germany 14 had Bayern

      These guys were at their peak

      What happened to Italy when they played Buffon,Cannavarro,Pirlo,Gattuso,Zambrotta,Camonoresi at the 2010 world cup? did they make it out the group stage? they couldnt negotiate Slovakia, Paraguay and New Zealand.

      What happened to Spain when they played Casillas,Xavi and Xabi Alonso in 2014? Did they make it out the group stage? Sure it was a tougher group but they absolutely played like crap.

      Yes I agree we need experience but Martino and Bauza took away that experience from a whole generation of players by continuing to play the old men. So we have to go with younger guys with club connections Sevilla to me seems the best option there’s also Sporting. La Liga is a tougher league than Portugal.Both clubs are in UCL.Or the two teams could be mixed.Zenit also has plenty of Argentines.

      Of the 2014 world cup squad I would take (if fit) Garay(please come back)Di Maria,Rojo, Aguero and Messi.Picking midfielders like Mascherano, Biglia,Perez…will probably lead to a crap performance….just like our qualifying campaign.

      Anyway this is just me dreaming of being Argentine manager like we all do.

      • This my response to you: How many of those teams you mention had inexperience players representing mediocre club teams that nobody in the mainstream media ever mention once or twice? Age is just a number and it’s not a substitute for mediocre players at the FIFA World Cup of all places. If we had young players representing the biggest clubs in Europe then I wouldn’t mind them on the team, that’s the difference with Argentina current crop of young players from all the teams you mention that won the world. Rulli for example wouldn’t start for no top five team in world football so why should he represents Argentina at the World Cup of all places. The players you mention are not even as good as Masche, Biglia, and Enzo Perez at the moment despite the age difference. Boo boo players don’t make World Cup final let alone win the World Cup.

  5. If we play the players in positions they play week in week out and throw out the over 30 year old midfielders (Mascherano,Biglia,Perez…) and keep Higuain out, I think the team has a real shot at winning the World Cup.

    My current starting XI( from currently fit players)

    GK Rulli ( Real Sociedad)
    RB Mercado (Sevilla)
    CB Otamendi (Man City)
    CB Mammana (Zenit)
    LB Pasquini (Lanus)
    CM Pizarro (Sevilla)
    CM Paredes (Zenit)
    CM Banega (Sevilla)
    RW Messi (Barcelona)
    CF Icardi (Inter)
    LW Correa (Sevilla)

    • Pasquini? If any left-back deserves to come out of Primera it probably should be Tagliafico IMO. Unfortunately Rulli is not going to start over Romero or even Guzman either. Banega? If his current form continues we should look elsewhere for creativity.

    • Respectfully I don’t understand the insistence with canning Chiquito Romero. He’s played heroically for us and has looked steady for the NT. I understand in other positions where the over 30 crowd should step aside/be replaced but I never understood the Romero hate. He had a problem with not catching the ball early on but he really got his act together and he is able to play the ball well with his feet. He’s also made big saves. In the final against Germany he maybe could have done better but to be fair he’d made plenty of saves and Goetze’s finish was pretty exceptional. I like or am okay with the line up except Banega, Pasquini, and Correa who lacks the change of pace. I think Di Maria is still the guy there assuming he was able to shake the head sickness plaguing him with the qualification.

      • Romero is not the main problem, he can stay for all I care, although a benchwarmer being a main keeper for Argentina is far from ideal to say the least. Correa lacks the change of pace? I’m not sure I agree with that.

        • I think we need an attacking left back and while Tagliafico is stronger defensively than Pasquini. I think Pasquini is a decent enough defender and offers so much more than Tagliafico going forward. Anyway under Sampaolis wing back system Pasquini I think is the best player we have in that position.(left wing back)

          I would pick Rulli over Romero because he plays week in week out. Guzman is a good choice too.

          I don’t think Banega suits where Sampaoli wants him to play. I think the Sevilla club connection should be used at the national team. If not Banega then Franco Vazquez from Sevilla too( I’m not sure if his still able to play for albiceleste).

          I don’t totally agree with Sampaoli choice of players and tactics to date. But I have much more faith in him than the previous 2 managers.

          • I don’t know, Tagliafico may not be a world beater offensively but he has pace and can contribute in attack as well. If not, I think Acuña can do a decent job as a wing-back if not a left-back. He started his career as left-back back in the day.

        • I’m not saying he lacks it as a characteristic of his game; But I haven’t seen it in his limited appearances. Di Maria’s has been somewhat inconsistent but when he’s on, there aren’t better partners for Messi.

  7. achieving the greatest thing of all…winning this cup…is not about tactics…its about heart and soul…u have to have the mentality…and most of all….next summer messi has a date with fate….its about him being destined for this Cup or not…dont think too much about tactics…its his destiny or it isnt…its that simple…

    • That old school type of thinking will us nothing. These are not the 80’s. It’s a mixture of both. And by the way winning 6 matches before getting a shot at the title cannot be achieved by courage alone without tactical acumen. In 2010, the players had heart but Maradona had no tactics. Consequently, the Germans had a very easy match because they were tactically superior.

  9. Batigol is one of my favourite players of all time but I could not disagree with him more when it comes to Higuian. So with all due respect, Higuain better not be included again.

  10. Okay i will say Germany,Spain and Brazil(kill me) are ahead of us in term of playing together for lot time in same philosophy. Where we only implying and still looking for our best XI. But i don’t think they are significantly ahead of us. These three team above I mentioned i wouldn’t wanna meet in early stage and two of them we won’t meet.

    • Brazil exploited stability at a time where the rest of the Conmebol was in transition. They look scarier than they actually are. I’m not saying they are bad, but I don’t think they are in the finals. Semis. If they run into a well organized Euro squad they’ll go out in an early upset.

  11. 8 Months time is there may be a new forward also could be added apart from the usuals(Icardi, Higuain, Aguero, Beneditto)may be Alario. Depending on their performances over next 8 months. All may have equal chances i guess. Anyway whoever selected we need to start scoring Goals. Sampaoli have 8 months time to fine tune all the positions.

  12. Yeah let’s give Higuain another chance so he fails once again! You know, everyone deserves another chance to fail and Argentines seems to be the experts in repeating the same mistakes over and over again! No wonder they keep losing chances, and finals after finals over and over again. If something didn’t work out, change it!

  13. Winning the World Cup comes down to the player’s character, self believe and mentality on and off the pitch, this is the reason for Argentina near misses in the last several world cup tournaments. Having enough quality and talent alone does not necessarily win you a world cup title. It’s easy to be selective when talking about the world cup, but there are given circumstances during the tournament that will be uncontrollable and out of the hands of the Argentina national team.

    Argentina stormed through the 2002 CONMEBOL qualifying campaign yet failed to make it out of the 2002 world cup group stage when it matters the most while Brazil who struggled to qualified in the same confederation went on to win the world cup that same year. So quality was never the reason Argentina failed to progress out of a group that consist of Sweden and Nigeria of all teams, it was the mindset up of the team and coaching staff that was their own undoing.

    Big games and playing against better teams doesn’t necessarily begin at the world cup quarterfinal stage, that is a myth. On a given day at the world cup any team can be tricky; be it Holland, Iran, or Paraguay.

    Back in 1998, Paraguay was arguably the toughest team France played against during the knockout rounds (Round of 16 game), not Italy, Croatia and Brazil. I remember that game to this day where José Luis Chilavert almost single handily win the game for Paraguay against France if not for Peres setting up Blanc who scored the winning goal at the 114’ minute mark. In that same tournament Argentina defeated world cup debutant Croatian national team in the group stage yet Croatia made it to the semifinal whereas Argentina got knockout at the quarterfinal stage.

    Brazil played against Turkey during the semifinal game at the 2002 World Cup. How is that for quality and strong world cup opponent? During the 2002 CONMEBOL qualifiers Brazil played against tougher opponent compare to a team like Turkey whom they face in a world cup semifinal game.

    Back in 2006, Italy round of 16 game against Australia was more difficult for them compare to Germany who they faced during the semifinal. This is the same tournament where Argentina outplayed Germany during the quarterfinal stage yet couldn’t find the character and mental strength to finish off the job.

    At the 2010 world cup, Spain lost their opening game to Switzerland yet went on to win the tournament. Character and mental strength is what propel Spain, they could have easily crash out of the world cup like what we had with Argentina back in 2002, but unlike Argentina at the 2002 world cup, Spain showed what Argentina lack during a time of crisis, strong character and perseverance. Spain almost went out to Paraguay during the quarterfinal round at the 2010 world cup and Paraguay is no powerhouse, the same Paraguay who sent Italy crashing out of the world cup in the group stage.

    During the 2014 world cup round of 16 game, Algeria put up a better fight against Germany (almost winning the game) than the mighty Brazilian team chaotic and shambolic display during the semifinal.

    So of course, a lot of CONMEBOL games (especially right now) are tougher than a lot of actual world cup group stage/ knockout round games. A smaller football nation like say Algeria, or Paraguay or Australia are more likely to be a tougher cookie to crack in the knockout round than say a traditional world cup team.

    ”Chances are we will face one of Germany, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Spain or Belgium, all of whom are significantly better than us.”

    This is one of the most ignorant comment I have read in a long time. Keyword here in this statement: ‘’Significantly better than us,’’

    Are you serious? Have you been watching international football since 2013 through to 2017? How in the world is France, Portugal, Italy, and Belgium ‘’significantly better’’ than Argentina? How do you even come up with this notion? Are we talking about the same French national team that tied with Luxembourg and barely got by Belarus on their home turf? Are we talking about the same Portugal team that struggled to put away Andorra not long ago? Are we talking about Italy who are in the playoffs and struggle to put away teams like Israel, Macedonia and Albania? Italy is not even guaranteed to get pass Sweden in the playoffs. Moreover, Italy have crashed out of the world cup in the last two editions. Are we talking about the same Belgium who played against teams like Rock of Gibraltar in world cup qualifiers? This is the same Belgium team everyone was overhyping leading up to the 2014 world cup. Let us all pretend that Argentina didn’t defeat Belgium at the 2014 world. Despite Spain winning the world cup in 2010, their overall world cup showing is abysmal. Brazil and Germany are the only teams between Argentina and winning the next world cup.

    After watching the 2016 Euro Championship, Argentina won’t have any problem navigating their way through the group stage and the knockout rounds on their way to a fourth consecutive FIFA international final. Argentina is finally starting to look like a team, and by the time the world cup comes around this team will be beautiful to watch. In the words of Gab Marcotti, ‘’I am very excited to see Sampaoli Argentina team play at the world cup.’’ I’m just picturing those Sevilla vs Real Madrid games from last season in my head remembering how beautiful a modest Sevilla team can move the ball against a more talented and formidable Real Madrid team at the Bernabeu Stadium and at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. Argentina have better players than Chile and Sevilla! All Argentina need to do is hold their nerves in the big moments at the world cup and they will triumph with the guidance of the lord God almighty.

    The world cup is the biggest stage of any football competition, but this doesn’t mean the games at the tournament have always lived up to the world cup hype and expectation. While the level of a game is high in CONBMEBOL, it is not the same as playing under the world cup pressure and spot light where teams carry their entire nation on their respective shoulders. Argentina vs Iceland at the world cup will have a much bigger audience than say Argentina vs Brazil during a CONMEBOL world cup qualifying game. Everyone will tune into the world cup irrespective of the time zone, but not everyone will stay up or miss work for a world cup qualifying game in South America with the exception of the passionate worldwide fan base. So if you ask me what is the difference between CONMEBOL qualifiers and the world cup? I think the world cup pressure is highly immense compare to a world cup qualifying game in South America. The pressure and expectation on the Brazilian national team carrying a nation of over 200 million people is the sole reason they lost 7-1 to Germany not because the Brazilian players were inferior to the German national team. As long as Argentina can cope with the pressure and expectation at the world cup they will be in a good place.

    • 7I agree with kid here. I will just add that the momentum, fatigue, suspension and injuries are part of the equation. In 2014, Germany only played hard for about 30 minutes of their SF vs Brazil, while Argentina had a gruelling physical 180 minute battle with the Netherlands. And one day lesser to recuperate. The 2 teams didnt arrive in the final in the same physical conditions. Those are other smaller details that can make a huge difference between victory and failure at the WC.

      • totally agree. we where better than germany until we totally gassed out. thats when we ended up defending.. and injuries to the fav 4… and having shitty backups (Palacio)..

  14. Great performance by diego perotti v chelsea. Azpilicueta couldn’t handle him.
    he is technically gifted and has better football iQ than Dummy di maria.we need that kind of quality in the team.

  16. Now we have come to a point where we discuss about the world cup and strategies. Getting through the CONMEBOL is a pretty hard task, but winning the World Cup is harder, can you imagine that?

    For me, the world cup is a whole new different challenge than the qualifiers. Why? Because those cunning things that you do in qualifiers doesn’t work there. You have to have qualities, and a lot of them. In the world cup, there is almost certain that the refereeing is going to be decent, at least the basics would be right. Fouls would be called for kicking and there would be cards for swearing unlike CONMEBOL. The differences would be like days and night – players would be more systematic and civilized per se. The grounds would be even and watered down, pitches would be slick and the teams will be well drilled in their footballing schemes.

    The reason I am saying this is to make you guys realize that decisions like starting Benedetto because he knows the Bombonera pitch would massively backfire in an International tournament where quality is the most vital thing. Sure, starting him was necessary in Argentina and Equador, but that’s it. He has served his purpose and now we move on.

    World cup feels like two completely different tournament itself, one is group stage and the other one is the knockout rounds. In the group stages, chances are we will face smaller teams who will park the bus. In the round of 16, we could get relatively easier team if lucky, but after that the REAL tournament starts where Argentina failed in 94, 98, 06 and 2010. From the QF we would have to play against higher quality sides who are more technical and tactical than us. Chances are we will face one of Germany, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Potugal, Spain or Belgium, all of whom are significantly better than us. That’s where the true challenges lie and Sampaoli need to prepare for that. Playing friendlies and winning them is nice and all, but we must not take those wins for granted.

  17. True Argentina fans who cried for a WC glory for almost 3 decades will never forgive Higuain for single handedly killing a whole nation’s dream and ofcourse fans around the World. My respect and love for Batistuta is as much as i have for Messi. But I cant agree with him. If Higuain had any guiltiness he would have stepped down after the 3 rd final in 2016. Yes you may try and fail once or twice but when its 3rd time you should know you are not made for this. He was a great forward but he has no balls. Plus he is declining and he already had his time just like Crespo and Bati. Cant bring them back. Sampaoli should pick Batistuta rather than Higuain. I m sure he can still do better at crunch situation than Higuain. I dont blame Messi at all. Go watch WC 2014 highlights there is a reason he won the golden ball. Now all Higuain fans out there may ask me this question? Do I know more football than Batistuta. Ofcourse not. But do not underestimate the knowledge of a football fans. Audience can tell how the singer is. A player and a fan has different perspective of looking at the game. Batistuta can feel the emotion of Higuain since he is also a striker. But emotion wont win us glory.
    NOW LET ME ASK ALL THE HIGUAIN FANS A QUESTION.!!
    In the Russia WC, If our team is in the final and we need a fresh player coming of the bench and hets into a 1 on 1 position With the keeper. Who do you want to see? Higuain? Icardi? Aguero? or Bebedetto?
    Be honest.
    My answer. Anyone but not Higuain if i get to choose and the glory is depending on it. I would rather choose Romero over Higuain in 1 on 1 situation in the final game to score. Cos i ll be mentally scarred after he misses the fourth time in a final. We are Argentineans, we play for Finals snd thats how we should our players.
    If u still choose higuain. Then all i gotta say to u.
    “”Please let someone else, your wife/husband/parents/ friends/neighbors, take inportant decisions in your life. For your own good.

  18. True Argentina fans who cried for a WC glory for almost 3 decades will never forgive Higuain for single handedly killing a whole nation’s dream and ofcourse fans around the World. My respect and love for Batistuta is as much as i have for Messi. But I cant agree with him. If Higuain had any guiltiness he would have stepped down after the 3 rd final in 2016. Yes you may try and fail once or twice but when its 3rd time you should know you are not made for this. He was a great forward but he has no balls. Plus he is declining and he already had his time just like Crespo and Bati. Cant bring them back. Sampaoli should pick Batistuta rather than Higuain. I m sure he can still do better at crunch situation than Higuain. I dont blame Messi at all. Go watch WC 2014 highlights there is a reason he won the golden ball. Now all Higuain fans out there may ask me this question? Do I know more football than Batistuta. Ofcourse not. But do not underestimate the knowledge of a football fans. Audience can tell how the singer is. A player and a fan has different perspective of looking at the game. Batistuta can feel the emotion of Higuain since he is also a striker. But emotion wont win us glory.
    NOW LET ME ASK ALL THE HIGUAIN FANS A QUESTION.!!
    In the Russia WC, If our team is in the final and we need a fresh player coming of the bench and hets into a 1 on 1 position With the keeper. Who do you want to see? Higuain? Icardi? Aguero? or Bebedetto?
    Be honest.
    My answer. Anyone but not Higuain if i get to choose and the glory is depending on it. I would rather choose Romero over Higuain in 1 on 1 situation in the final game to score. Cos i ll be mentally scarred after he misses the fourth time in a final. We are Argentineans, we play for Finals snd thats how we should pick our players.
    If u still choose higuain. Then all i gotta say to u.
    “”Please let someone else, your wife/husband/parents/ friends/neighbors, take inportant decisions in your life. For your own good.

      • Higuain has to retire from international football and focus on club football. He played two wcs and that’s enough for him. Saviola played only one WC (2006 wc) and retired from international football at the age of 28. Argentina fans around the world have no faith in Higuain and he can’t be a striker that we can rely on in big matches.

  20. id be surprised if hig was taken as the simple fact is hig is just is not mobile enough for samps style of play and atm his form is very average as well.

    hig has had his time with the n/t and ive no problem hes no longer part of the team, I’m not sure why people want a player to go to the w/c who struggles under pressure, even if hes just on the bench as the only time he will be brought on is to draw or win a game and that will be a pressure situation for him….

  21. I carefully observe players to see how they react to their mistakes because the reaction tells whether they will be winners or losers.

    We have watched Higuain missing clear-cut chances in the 2014 World Cup final, the 2015 Copa America final and the 2016 Copa America final. He couldn’t score on the empty net in the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Copa.

    After Argentina’s loss to Germany and Chile, football fans in my country exchanged a joke with each other. They said they can score an empty net goal more than Higuain. Only Ronaldo’s fans covered Higuain in order to diminish Messi.

    I don’t like Higuain not because he missed loads of easy chances but because he doesn’t feel guilty about repeating the same mistake over and over.

    In the 2016 Copa, Vidal missed the first penalty kick and Messi missed his pk. The teams were still tied.

    After losing to Chile in 2016, Messi burst into tears and his penalty kick success rate has improved since then.

    After losing to Chile in 2016, Higuain put on weight and transferred to Juventus to win a trophy. People in my country made a joke out of Huguain. They said Higuain ate pizzas too much before leaving Napoli and Juventus must bench Higuain if they want to win a Champions league trophy.

    Did anyone hear Higuain saying he reflected on himself about his mistake? Did anyone hear Higuain saying he is sorry for not delivering a trophy to Argentina? Did anyone hear Higuain has done something extra to correct his weakness?

    He always join the Argentina NT with more fat on his body. It tells me if he will be a winner or loser.

    I will check on Rojo’s performance after he is back for Man Utd. My first impression of him was that he is a hot-tempered man and I was dumbfounded when he was sent off for red card foul on Vidal a few minutes before halftime.

    • You speak my mind. I absolutely agree that Hugain has no desire to revenge or for that matter improve yourself to prove haters wrong. He seems too comfortable in his own little space and for that matter alone, he should not be selected. Even Luis Suarez in his worst run provide some desire but not Hugain. Messi did it against juventus after failing to score last season, we need that kind of reaction from players if to challenge and win WC, not mentally weak and undesired players.

  22. I agree Bati! PIPITA needs to be in the squad.. its a luxury to have him as an option, we need depth in every position, injuries happen, fatigue is an issue too.. he should be fighting for a spot as secons dub with Benedetto.

    • I don’t think for one CF spot we should take 3 players. I think Icardi and Kun is more than enough for the CF spot and if anything happens to any one of them, than it’s Messi at false 9.

      IMO, Kun is a CF now, not a SS and he is playing in a team managed by Pep and shining there, so he must be called up if he retains his form throughout the season. And Icardi is the starter CF anyday.

      • We arguably lost the final vs Germany because we lacked depth. We had Palacio playing!! We need 3 solid forwards. One is bound to get hurt, the other will tire if we have wars like against Holland. Also Higuain is more than a #9, he is versatile and can fill in on a pinch.

        Icardi, Higuain, Benedetto right now in that order.

        We have messi, dybala, kun as second strickers..

        The wings and the cm are up for grabs. Only Acuña impressed me.

        I VALUE A REAL PROS OPINION, BATI, OVER ALL THE BITTER COUCH SURFERS, THE VAST MAJORITY NOT EVEN ARGENTINE. Show some respect!

    • he can’t handle pressure and he is mentally weak..we have icardi.. dybala messi and kun(who is another flop).. we need better midfield players or else messi will be playing to deep..

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