General manager of the Argentina national teams Cesar Luis MENOTTI spoke about Lionel MESSI, Sergio AGUERO and more.
The man who won Argentina their first FIFA World Cup commented on the reasons why he wouldn’t have called-up Lionel MESSI and Sergio AGUERO. Speaking to TyC Sports, here’s what he had to say:
“Personally, I don’t believe it was the time (to call-up) Kun (AGUERO) and same for MESSI. I wouldn’t have called-up MESSI. And the same goes for Kun. They’re playing in difficult moments, with their calendars and cup matches.”
Cesar Luis MENOTTI argues that he would rather try different players.
“I’ll argue that in this game, there’s no much analysis to be done (about AGUERO) because it’s already been done and we want to try out BENEDETTO, as an example, just to say a name.”
About not including Sergio AGUERO in the Argentina team.
“It’s a decision which I talked to the coach about. We do not need to try AGUERO, we all know how he plays and we have to try out others. No one knows AGUERO more than me, when I compared him with ROMARIO they laughed at me.
“You guys (the journalists) are incredible. When he (Sergio AGUERO) is called-up, you don’t want him. And when he’s not here, you ask for him, haha. People are people but the journalists have more responsibilities.”
He is 80+ and outdated (still stucked in 80’s football ) ,I would have preffered pekerman over him as general manager anyday
I agree. I think Pekerman should fit quite well in that position although he may be looking for an outright coach job. I wouldn’t mind Pekerman coming back to coach NT after all under his command it was the last time that NT was fun to watch.
Deigo Maradona “Maradona: Argentines are proud of Messi, but Cristiano Ronaldo is an animal”. This man hates messi more than Ramos and Ronaldo. Someone please give him some cocaine.
Wise words maestro. Spot on.
Antithesis of “wise”.
Who needs chemistry anyways, well wing it and pray for the best lol.
What do you want, mate? You want to treat these (meaningless) friendlies as WorldCup finals like Tata did, Sabella did? And take the NT in the backward direction? After all those things happened over a decade, isn’t it enough? Argentina play every tournament to win, no matter what the situation is. The upcoming Copa America is no different. To win, you don’t need to have a team filled with superstar names for the sake of it, it’ll get you nowhere as the recent tournaments since the turn of the century have taught us. Nothing is guaranteed though, even with team filled with superstar names or youngsters or whoever like you say. The probability counts for nothing. Everything has to be done on the playing field.
After all the years of turmoil, we are seeing something positive from the AFA and the NT. They’re trying atleast. I can’t help you if you can’t see those stuff happening around the NT. All you want is treat these friendlies as worldcup finals and you want to see an imbecile like Tata Martino appointed as the head coach again to ruin everything and drag us back to the hellhole again. Right now fresh blood like Scaloni-Aimar-Samuel is the right choice to take us forward, for the moment atleast. Apparently we are not the favourites to win the tournament (we participate/participated) for the first time since the turn of the century and realistically speaking this isn’t a “must win” tournament. The 2004,2007,2011,2015 and 2016 was and we didn’t! That failures were catastrophic but this time if we don’t get over the line it won’t be.
> What do you want, mate?
To win.
> You want to treat these (meaningless) friendlies as WorldCup finals like Tata did, Sabella did?
“meaningless” is rather absurd. there is no better way to prep for competitive matches other than friendlies. The point is obviously not treat as WC final buts its to gel with one another. basic team management.
> And take the NT in the backward direction?
Reaching finals for the 1st time in decades is by definition “going forward”, not “going backwards”? Ok mate, we’ll just agree to disagree.
> After all those things happened over a decade, isn’t it enough?
you mean reach finals for the 1st time in decades? Lol. yeah. the cup is not a god given right, we’re not entitled to shit. Reaching finals is incredible.
> to win, you don’t need to have a team filled with superstar names for the sake of it,
Doesn’t matter because i can say that about any combination of players. Ceteris Paribus – team with better players will win.
> it’ll get you nowhere as the recent tournaments since the turn of the century have taught us.
2010 Spain aka Barca/Real, 2014 Germany aka Bayern, and France were filled with superstars and completely counters your point. Its by far the biggest competition, besides UCL.
> They’re trying at least. I can’t help you if you can’t see those stuff happening around the NT.
nice ad hominem lol
> you want to see an imbecile like Tata Martino appointed as the head coach again to ruin everything and drag us back to the hellhole again.
Arg played great at times under Tata. Sampaloni is tactically naive and doesn’t know how to attack. Selecting players doesn’t mean shit if the coach is bad. We have seen that over and over again.
>realistically speaking this isn’t a “must win” tournament.
completely disagree.
1. > What do you want, mate?
“To win.”
*I guess in friendlies and be champions of friendlies as we were before.
2.> “You want to treat these (meaningless) friendlies as WorldCup finals like Tata did, Sabella did?
“meaningless” is rather absurd. there is no better way to prep for competitive matches other than friendlies. The point is obviously not treat as WC final buts its to gel with one another. basic team management.”
*I disagree. Most coaches seem to approach friendlies as way of experimenting, particularly the players. Other than assessing them in friendly matches, how can he do it? Should he imagine what the player is capable of or use some magical powers to determine the right players(as you mentioned who needs to gel together as a unit)? If not friendlies, then where should a manager/head coach should try experimenting players and his methods?
3. “> And take the NT in the backward direction?
Reaching finals for the 1st time in decades is by definition “going forward”, not “going backwards”? Ok mate, we’ll just agree to disagree.”
If you mean the WC final, then just take alook at Bert Van Mervick’s Dutch side and have your say on it.
I’m not saying what Sabella did wasn’t achievement , it was great, outstanding. But if you look at the reasons why we didn’t win it(apart from the Higuain and Palacio misses), Sabella has to take the blame. He had no plan B , no game changers on the bench and placed all his trust on injured/burnt out stars(fab 4:Aguero and Higuain in particular). Besides he’s plan was always for the short term, not a long term sustainable project.
4.”> After all those things happened over a decade, isn’t it enough?
you mean reach finals for the 1st time in decades? Lol. yeah. the cup is not a god given right, we’re not entitled to shit. Reaching finals is incredible.”
* I’ve already talked about the WC, now you must be mentioning the Copa finals, 2015 and 16. Yes, cup is not a god given right , you have to earn it, sadly our team didn’t. They(including imbecile Tata) played like you said it was a god given right.
“Reaching finals is incredible.” It sounds like Argentina has never reached a Copa final before. I wonder how many finals have Argentina not made since the turn of this century(the ones they participated)? Yeah one. ONE!!
5.”> to win, you don’t need to have a team filled with superstar names for the sake of it,
Doesn’t matter because i can say that about any combination of players. Ceteris Paribus – team with better players will win.
> it’ll get you nowhere as the recent tournaments since the turn of the century have taught us.
2010 Spain aka Barca/Real, 2014 Germany aka Bayern, and France were filled with superstars and completely counters your point. Its by far the biggest competition, besides UCL.”
I solely meant the Copa Americas but since you mentioned the World Cup and Spain, Germany and France, read this:
All those Spain, Germany and France had superstar names yes, but they weren’t just for the paper, they performed unlike our so called superstar names like Menotti once said “who takes NT call up as an obligation not invitation”. See there’s the problem. Besides they all have quality all over the park not just forward line(Germany 2014 case may differ) and they perform.
Coming to the Copa Americas, why then Chile a team without overwhelming superstars( who had only Alexis Sanchez and Vidal) compared to say Argentina won the tournament that too back to back in 2015 and 16. And you consider Argentina reaching those finals “incredible”!
And what about the 2007 final ,eh??!
6. “> you want to see an imbecile like Tata Martino appointed as the head coach again to ruin everything and drag us back to the hellhole again.
Arg played great at times under Tata. Sampaloni is tactically naive and doesn’t know how to attack. Selecting players doesn’t mean shit if the coach is bad. We have seen that over and over again.”
*”Arg played great at times under Tata” – I don’t know from where you got that notion, the man was clueless in every aspect of the game. He’s the only reason Argentina didn’t win the Copa in 2015 and 16 and the main reason for the WC 18 debacle. It’s ironic you blame Sampaoli and Scaloni who’s trying to clean up his mess.
*”Sampaloni is tactically naive and doesn’t know how to attack. Selecting players doesn’t mean shit if the coach is bad. We have seen that over and over again.”
By Sampaloni I guess you’re referring to Scaloni. You sound very much like the immature fans who use the names like Manure, Uefalona, Madridiots, Chelski etc etc for clubs . Yes, it’s ad hominem and what do you want me to say when you refer people/clubs like those childish immature names?
* How’s Scaloni tactically naive? What makes you say he doesn’t know how to attack? And how do you say all those things after just 6 games forgetting all those happened during a year? You’re going in circles now mate.
People who havent won anything in football should shut up..
What do you mean? Are you saying Menotti didnt win anything in football? May be you should stop commenting in an argentine site.
who is this Juan Sebastian Sforza ?
Tell me a name who can replace di maria, even if that player is from under 17… who is our future messi ?
I agree. Try new players this is the right time to do it not when NT is in official competition.
Preparation and practice for competition comes from friendly games, not during
Preparation and building chemistry comes from training together, that can be done at copa america. Friendlies are used to evaluate new players closely and check whether the tactics are correct in an actual match.
Absolutely not. Training and practice, chem building should not happen during the actual competition. By then it’s way too late.
I’m actually shocked people think this. I mean.. We literally just went through a disaster with sampaoli changing formations and players every fucking game, compeletly ruining any chem building or confidence our players had…yet here we are saying “chem building happens during copa America”….. wtf forgive me for using such a term but it’s unbelievable.
I didnt mean it exactly during competition, usually teams get two weeks or so before copa america starts so player chemistry can be build during that time. It is not more important than player trials and tactical implementation. Also aguero and messi have been playing together for 10 years, what more can they achieve in playing just 90 minutes more.
Lastly, dont pin the entire faults on sampaoli in the WC debacle. It was due to both i.e, players reluctant(or unable) to follow sampaoli’s pressing style and the coach being panicked as he didnt have any plan B.
> I didn’t mean it exactly during competition, usually teams get two weeks or so before copa america starts so player chemistry can be build during that time.
Playing 2 weeks of dribbling and passing skills builds chem but i think it has less impact than playing with each other during live friendly matches with tough opponents. Nothing prepares you more for competitive games than Friendlies.
> It is not more important than player trials and tactical implementation.
Debatable. Part of the reason why Germany and Spain won the WC is because they had players with great chem so they started off really strong. Most of their starting X1 were from the same clubs, Real Madrid / barcelona, and Bayern.
Arg main problems is often lack of chemistry and coaches haven’t been able to fix it. We looked great Tata at times but Bauza and Sampa were awful and now Scaloni leave a lot to be desired.
> Also aguero and messi have been playing together for 10 years, what more can they achieve in playing just 90 minutes more.
Again, Aguero and Messi need time to build chem with players. Its not so simple as snapping your finger. its takes drilling and intense moment to understand each other. The problem is this this chemistry issue is so blatantly obvious yet fans and coaches are willing to say “fuck chem” we need to keep trying other players? At this point, i don’t think AFA gives a shit about copa.
> Lastly, dont pin the entire faults on sampaoli in the WC debacle.
fine, Sampa Crazy is 85% at fault.
I disagree a bit with Menotti, many years ago yes Aguero played like Romario but now he is more like a false 9, pretty much like Messi with Guardiola Barca, with a lot of freedom. Messi now plays more as a playmaker slightly positionned on the right. Does it make sense to put a false 9 in front of him? I don’t think so.
In my opinion the only way to play Messi with Aguero is to put an additional striker next to Kun, someone fast, smart and can play as winger too. A 4312 or 3412 with Messi as Enganche, Kun as half 9 and that striker.
> Does it make sense to put a false 9 in front of him? I don’t think so.
why wouldnt it work? If Aguero is 9 with Messi as 10, with Lo Celso and Lanzini on opposites sides under 4231 and fullbacks stretching the pitch down the wings, couldn’t that work?
———————-Aguero
————Lo Celso – Messi – Lanzini
——————TBD – Paredes
Tagliafico – Otamendo – Pezzella – Saravia
——————–Gazziniga
> A 4312 or 3412 with Messi as Enganche, Kun as half 9 and that striker.
Looks pretty good
—————Aguero – Benedetto
———————Messi
———-Lo Celso – TBD – Paredes
Tagliafico – Otamendo – Pezzella – Saravia
——————–Gazziniga
Charopin
I like that very much I will put
Palacios next to paredes
When he fit af course
442 or 4231 is the best for Messi but your 4231 cannot work. Lo Celso, Aguero, Messi and Lanzini they all like to receive the ball, you see my points? Nobody for breaking lines On the right hand side I would put a natural right winger like Pussetto or a half striker half winger like Angel Correa. And then you may put Lanzini on the left. Another option is to put a right hardworking midfielder like Zaracho plus a left winger. In attack either Benedetto or Icardi.
The 4312 is for me the only system that Aguero and Messi can play together like Zidane-Del Piero, Inzaghi. Like you I go for Benedetto as my 1st option. Maybe Correa can make it too. In the midfield I go for Palacios and Zaracho as box to box and Paredes as regista. We need 3 players who can run and provide enough protection. At some points you may need to sacrifice some creative players.
@canadienroyal Yes, Messi needs runners in front of him. With Aguero you can never guarantee that. We have seen it time and time again.
Yes Messi is released when Dembele and Roberto play on each side of the midfield. Both can run, 1 creative and fast, the other one hardworking. The best combination.
Copa will be an Unpredictable tournament, I don’t think there is any clear Favorites this time…We have equal chance to win the Copa like others..Will Messi continue after this Copa again?Tough chance.Hope we win it somehow. Then the generational change will gain momentum.
Well, we know arg is not on the list of favorites. Nothing about our practice games would indicate we’ll win. In fact, it’s the opposite. I’m beginning to believe these asshats in AFA are planning on fucking up this tournament and “praying” we’ll do well in 2022
Well AfA is AfA, it is what it is, years of mismanagement ruined Argentina football. Hopefully it gets better now under menotti. But I still beleave AfA somehow should have tried to get Gallardo.Somehow..Gallardo would have got ample time to build a team by 2022.Now we almost wasted a year since the WC unless Scaloni does some miracles at the Copa. It can happen too.
> AfA somehow should have tried to get Gallardo
Couldnt agree more…ugh
“It’s a decision which I talked to the coach about. We do not need to try AGUERO, we all know how he plays and we have to try out others. No one knows AGUERO more than me, when I compared him with ROMARIO they laughed at me”.
Funny thing. Before WC 2014 I was claiming AGuero here as “our Romario” and some people were laughing at me.
Now I think also the same about Aguero as Menotti thinks. WHy not to try other options before Copa.
I am big fan of Aguero but I doubt if he can have the similar performance at club with the NT when Messi plays with him. 10 years ago yes but not now. Messi is not a right winger anymore and Kun not a simple striker
“WE DO NOT NEED TO TRY AGUERO, WE ALL KNOW HOW HE PLAYS AND WE HAVE TO TRY OUT OTHERS.”
Hey, bother @gonzalo-pity-martinez
Few of us said the same thing last week 🙂
Yes, Menotti speaks our minds
Most of our problems came from two things:
1) shitty coaches
2) lack of chemistry
So, the brilliant decision makers at AFA commit error #1 again by selecting sampaloni (no experience, doesnt know how to attack, and was sampas right hand man). now #1 is Repeated. Just great.
Now we’re also committing error #2 by not letting Aguero bond with the rest of team. What fantastic solution to solving chemistry issues.
Just great, go team
He is right in the sense that everyone knows what these guys offer. For example, if DiMaria has a great game against Venezuela does it really mean anything to the NT or what we think of him at this point? Probably not. We know he rarely strings together great games for the NT and he usually ends up injured in the most important moments. But if Dybala plays great its something to build on.
I would never waste this opportunity on Benedetto for Gods sake though. Look at how Lautaro meshes with Dybala and the others or something. See if Foyth can put in a solid showing, etc.
now we can’t relay on Lanzini how much he good, you can’t expect to play back to back 2games atleast Dimaria played 4
is there any u 17 wonderkid in our u 17 team right now??????
Messi’s 2nd half time last nighy was just insane, he killed the game alone. One of his best performances. Definitely worth to watch if you missed the match!
Cesar Menotti is high or something .
Instead of making chemistry between the players keep trying and trying all new players just 3 matches before Copa America so that the will suck in the tournament.
No mate he knows football
Copa is just like friendly tournament always a two team competition at worst case maz 4 teams, it’s always better to experiment in useless friendlies because after copa WCQ starts so can’t experiments anything, what i like about menotti Augero and Messi have more important matches than upcoming friendlies, although i’m outright against beneditto
@Romance KING And you are as annoying as always repeating same shits again and again, even dumbest football fan wont say that Copa america is the training ground for the WC. Acoording to these tournaments has no importance then why a decent coach like Tata Martino had been fired and Messi announced retirement after Copa 2016 loss.
You WC qualifiers are more important than Copa America trophy , oh god football is not for you, you are b grade bollywood actor fan.
I’m the fan of world’s biggest superstar just google it, menotti knows better than anyone who won the worldcup as a coach, Tata Martino was the main reason for worldcup 2018 disaster because he failed to experiments in friendlies and sticking with same squad, Argentina lost copa in penalties which was a bad luck but it’s not easy to win try backer against top GK like Bravo(Peck), but begin WCQ with disaster results, most of us blame sampaoli for experimenting and i’m also one of them because he can’t settled playing XI before a tournament like worldcup but copa isn’t like that these tournament build the foundation of Worldcup squad therefore experimenting before it in meaning less friendlies better than in WCQ
These people are beyond me. We’ve always had chemistry issues yet here are, not allowing our best striker to build chem?? what ducking morons. He’s high on crack
Aguero is our best striker indeed and no9 for copa but not for 2022 so Lautaro needs opportunity before WCQ starts, Argentina relaying Mascherano after 2014 cost in 2018, after certain age a player will not be same like he was previously therefore Long term replacement is must
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