Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI: “We know that up front, we have pure dynamite”

By
Roy Nemer
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38

Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI held a press conference on Thursday ahead of his team’s friendly against Nicaraguay in San Juan.

With it being the only game prior to Argentina’s opening match at the Copa America against Colombia, coach SCALONI will have a lot to think about in regards to his team. SCALONI confirmed the starting eleven in the press conference.

Speaking at the press conference, here’s what SCALONI had to say about the game.

“The players feel proud for having received the welcoming they did here in San Juan. It’s an important match for us, to see how the players respond when given a chance. We were able to work with most of the players over a few days, we can’t complain. We want a solid team, one we can identify with.

“We watched Nicaragua’s last two games. They are a difficult team. For us, it’s an important game.”

If he will make any changes to the team for the Copa America.

“I don’t believe we will have too many changes from here to the Copa America. The one’s that will play against Nicaragua will have the chance to show us what it means being a starter. The idea is to have the best Copa America possible and to compete at the highest level.”

In regards to the attack, SCALONI is convinced that things can go really well for the team.

“We know that up front, we have pure dynamite. Not only Leo but AGUERO and Lautaro. Players who can score a lot of goals. For that reason, if we are solid, we will have a lot of chances. If we do well as a team in terms of performance and if MESSI does what he does every Sunday, surely things will go well for us.

“Being solid does not only mean defending. It means knowing what to do at all times, what’s going on in the match. They’ve understood that. They are smart, smarter than any other players.

“If we recover the ball, what I would like is to attack as quickly as possible. Most of all if we get the ball back in an attacking position. That’s what I told the players.”

About who will be the starting goalkeeper for Argentina at the Copa America:

“Tomorrow, ARMANI will play but I can’t guarantee that he will be the starting goalkeeper for the Copa America.”

The coach even spoke about GUIDO RODRIGUEZ and the injury to Exequiel PALACIOS which meant he would miss the Copa America.

“Guido (RODRIGUEZ) is a very interesting player. What happened with PALACIOS was very difficult for us.”

If he has set in stone a formation:

“I’ll never fully commit to one system or with the positions. Today, I’m doing well. We will see on Friday if I’m still well, ha. I know the weight of being an Argentina national team coach but I always have my feet on the ground. I’ve had the same values since I was a kid.

“These players were born to win, to compete at these levels. Making make them understand what it means to wear this shirt is the easy part, they already know all of that.”

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38 Comments

  1. At first I was disappointed with the Suarez selection but Scaloni hopefully made the right call and can bring di Maria in as a super sub on the RIGHT side. We all know and have complained about di Maria as a left winger, so this move seems like a step in the correct direction.

  3. Excited to see tonight’s game…

    Worries about 3 midfielders versus a team with a higher rep. Colombia looked good versus panama. I feel we have struggled defensively since Seballa era. Foyth is good but young, I believe they are just trying him tonight. Pezzela will start with otamendi. I haven’t seen Ota play for a while. I think they are trying Rodriguez and pareses as well, best one will match up vs Colombia. I think lo celso is a definite starter.

    Up top, it is what it is. They are all strong players

  5. really happy by matias suarez selection……he is a guy who works hard and have good decision making…..i followed river last year little bit….this guy knows how to play like a professional……
    but still we need pace we need pavon type of player ASAP in the argentine NT ……i hope we will find someone like that before next wc…….

    • To that Suarez has the physical conditions that cannot be disregarded and which he can make use of.

    • Suarez is a talented player, he was good in Anderlecht, Lazio and Sevilla wanted to buy him, but injuries ruined his career, but neirly never played or showed anything against top level teams or players, so im very skeptical about him, which is great in SA local football, is mediocre internationallym and he is not a starter in River Plate

  6. Impressive Mali team playing almost whole the game against Italy with 10 men scored almost 3 goals (the could’ve been the missed penalty).

    USA – Ukraine is most probable final to me.

  8. Put 1986-87 born captain logic aside realistically Uruguay is favourite to win the tournament along with Argentina, don’t think Brazil have any chance they will suffer like 2016 copa.

  9. Armani is our best GK out of three GK selected for Copa, Rulli Benitez or Gazza aren’t selected and Andrada is the worst version of Armani when big matches are concerned

  10. Our Copa america team is 30% better than our World cup team 2018.I am sure we will score four or more goals.Parades and Lo celso are best for midfield.De paul should be selected over Suarez.Rodriguez is very creative.I prefer Acuna over Tagliafico.Acuna’s crosses will suit Aguero.Sergio Romero should have been selected.Pezella is needed he is a leader.Di maria and Martinez will come as substitute.I lile Scaloni the way he is explaining things he is a good learner better than many experts.
    Tagliafico should not be starter he is good in defending but here transition is key.One weakness with Acuna is that he does not umderstand off side trap and that mistake costed us vs Croatia in 3rd goal.

  11. Argentina will play High Press and constantly pressure with or without the ball .And probably play faster build ups for catching defense with free spaces.Really anxious what will they bring out

      • The lineup tells the story,bro
        You will notice it in the match also Scaloni said
        “BEING SOLID DOES NOT ONLY MEAN DEFENDING. IT MEANS KNOWING WHAT TO DO AT ALL TIMES, WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE MATCH. THEY’VE UNDERSTOOD THAT. THEY ARE SMART, SMARTER THAN ANY OTHER PLAYERS.

        “IF WE RECOVER THE BALL, WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS TO ATTACK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. MOST OF ALL IF WE GET THE BALL BACK IN AN ATTACKING POSITION. THAT’S WHAT I TOLD THE PLAYERS.”

        “Recover the ball and Attack as quickly as possible”
        What else could that mean, He will tell them to press higher up the pitch and get to counter attacking position.

  12. Looking at this shitty lineup, Scaloni is even worse than Sampaoli.

    Sampaoli had ideas but was clueless on how to execute. Scaloni is totally a clueless duck and has no coaching abilities.

    It will be a nightmare for Messi and Argentina in this Copa, while CR7 wins another national champion for Portugal.

    • I wouldn’t bet against Cruyff DNA, Netherlands won’t lose that easily
      As per as Scaloni and Sampaoli ,I say Scaloni did select some wrong players yet better than Sampaoli.Lets see how things turn out in this friendly if we get a comfortable Victory of 4/5+ goals than what could possibly go wrong.

      • But Nederland is choker in football like South Africa in cricket which ultimately benefit Portugal as per mental strength is concerned

        • @Romance KING yes but that was past maybe 2010 2016 UEFA Euro and WC qualifiers,Don’t forget this Dutch National team has more and got a whole different new face then we have seen in recent years,They will win and their defense is an ultimate beast with the likes of Van Dijk De Ligt Blind and their midfiled runs riot!! I wonder how will Portugal handle De Jong and Van de Beek or Depay.Last night Netherlands werebunlucky or else Depay could have won the game on his own

    • So. what is your team that is better than the current line up…many of you just talk and talk for the sick of talking…sit still and watch the game first…don’t just discount or brush everyone aside and call this team shitty team because your kind of players are not selected

  14. “WE WATCHED NICARAGUA’S LAST TWO GAMES. THEY ARE A DIFFICULT TEAM. FOR US, IT’S AN IMPORTANT GAME.”
    Basically if it all goes tits up its because we played a difficult team.
    I suppose its not Scaloni’s fault that major teams aren’t available, surely though there would’ve been a opportunity to play one of the nations in the tournament? What were we worried about that if we played against Venezuela again, lose again, that it might sap our confidence??!
    Granted there are no easy teams, yet surely having the starting eleven against Colombia should get minutes together in a match like tonight’s? 🤔
    Clearly I have no idea about management. But I can spot a hazard when I see one. Parades and Lo Celso (as much as it looks like a fantasy combo) are not combative enough or able to defend space.
    AND IF MESSI DOES WHAT HE DOES EVERY SUNDAY, SURELY THINGS WILL GO WELL FOR US.
    What I got from that is…..if messi can do his shit I dont have to…..

  16. Gazzetta & CorSera are reporting that Icardi & Nainggolan aren’t in Antonio Conte’s plans for Inter & they’re both on their way out. A move back to Roma could be possible for Radja 🤔

    • Icardi will leave as I per I have seen things with Lautaro being promising getting around 12-13 goals at first season and Dzeko singing,I believe he will leave for sure,Atleti,Man U should get him or Maybe Juventus??
      BTW are you from Bangladesh if you are then you got a compatriot here.
      As-Salamualaikum

    • 433 It has been confirmed with
      Foyth Otamendi as Central Defenders
      Saravia Acuna as fullbacks
      Guido the defensive midfielder
      Lo Celso Paredes Central midfield pair
      Suarez n Leo the Forwards with Aguero the Central Striker.
      They will play high press and fast build up taking balls on the wings probably

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