Lionel Messi: “There are no excuses. We have to be more united than ever”

By
Roy Nemer
-
138

Lionel Messi commented on Argentina’s 2-1 loss vs. Saudi Arabia at the World Cup.

Messi spoke to the media following the team’s loss against Saudi Arabia. Here is what he had to say:

“We have to go back to the base of who we are. We have to think about what’s coming.

“We knew that Saudi Arabia is a good team with good players, that if you let them, they’ll play well and that they defended that way. That’s why the situations we had were a little rushed.

“There are no excuses. We have to be more united than ever. This group is strong and has shown it. It’s a situation we haven’t gone through in a long time. Now we have to show that this is a real group.

“That the people trust us. It’s a very hard blow for everyone, we didn’t expect to start like this. Things happen for a reason. We have to prepare for what’s coming, we have to win and it depends on us. We began to cross, trying desperately to find the draw and it wouldn’t happen.”

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138 Comments

  1. The 0-0 draw between Poland and Mexico gives a glimmer of hope to Argentina. Now Argentina can force entry to next stage if they win the next 2. Further, if Saudi doesn’t lose any of their next 2 matches, then even 4 points(1 draw and 1 win) will be enough. In case Saudi loses one, Argentina needs to beat the team that beats Saudi with a big margin.

    Theoretically or mathematically, it is possible to qualify from group stages even with 2 points. But in practice that has never happened.
    Chile in 1998 and Italy in 1982 have actually qualified with just 3 points. Italy even went on to become champions.

    But it is also possible to get eliminated with 6 points. It happened once I believe. But now that it is a 0-0 draw between Poland and Mexico, Argentina will definitely qualify if it gets 6 points.

  3. Alternate thoughts to send positive vibes

    1. An inch here and there, we would be up 2 or 3 goals up in the first half and every strategy of Saudi changes for second half

    2. Two amazing shots and 2 goals. This does not happen everyday.

    3. Saudi might grab another point from Mexico or Poland. Highly possible.

    4. Poland and Mexico are not actually creating a lot.

    5. The law of average is now broken. We can get back to winning ways

  4. Those consoling themselves with Spain 2010 stop it. We don’t have Xavi and Iniesta. It will require more than a miracle for Argentina to qualify to the knockout stages.
    But realistically we should be looking at 2026 world cup and no more of MLS frauds

    • Blaming Almada is not fair to be honest. He has had nothing to do with this squad. Truthfully, we are playing an opponent that cannot be beaten;our own frail insecurities. This problem has plagued Argentina for over 3 decades. A small thing, but even Messi missed a clear chance in Copa. There is ALWAYS problems when players play for Messi and not for their own pride. When Argentina plays best, Messi is a contributor to the team. This bullshit of let’s do this for Messi will lead to a quick elimination. Play for your country, play for your own pride. These are just words, but we are so weak mentally that the smallest conflict destroys us completely.

    • what are you on about? take more? than a miracle, you just over exaggerating!!!!

      we didnt have balls in my opinion, saudi deserved, they played with more fire.

  5. I am trying to get some sort of comfort for the next matches but feeling hopeless when Tagli a weak short guy, tired Papu, Di Maria, De Paul, Parades even Messi can’t excite me.

    • Scenario 1 :
      one of them winning today ( say 1.0 ) . Say if Mexico wins this game & we win next 2 & Saudi loses next 2 ( quite a possibility) , its clearly between us & Mexico .
      Mexico & Arg – 6 points ; Pol – 3 ; Saudi – 3
      Scenario 2 :
      This is a draw . & we win next 2 & Saudi loses next 2 ( quite a possibility)
      Arg – 6 points ; Mex & Pol – 4 ; Saudi -3

      Anyway if we dont win next both & if Saudi collects more points, it gets super messy for us , basically we have preponed the Knockout!!

  7. Got to admit Ochoa is an epic legend. Jus wakes up during World Cup & proves himself vs the best. Great penalty save against Lewandoski. Cant wait to see Messi vs Ochoa

  8. According to TYC this is the player rating (I disagree a bit)

    Emiliano MARTÍNEZ: 5. Prácticamente no tuvo trabajo ni tampoco responsabilidad en los goles. De esos partidos donde las cosas no salieron ni para él.
    MOLINA: 4. Muy retenido en el primer tiempo. Nunca fue a romper el adelantamiento de la defensa saudí como el juego invitaba, pero parecía entendible siendo el primer partido del mundial. No se entiende qué le pasó en el segundo gol en contra. Lejos del nivel que convenció a Scaloni hace un tiempo.
    ROMERO: 6. De lo más rescatable en la primera mitad, aunque antes del descanso le hicieron un caño que seguramente le dolió. No fue en un lugar trascendental de la cancha, obviamente, por lo cual importa poco. Pero quedó herido tras el empate y debió salir.
    OTAMENDI: 6. Al principio salió lejos y pagó. Después fue todo seguridad e intensidad. Como de costumbre. Se entendió bien con Romero y Lisandro, sin importar el perfil. Trató de empujar en la adversidad.
    TAGLIAFICO: 5. Debió trabajar más de lo esperado en defensa, sin poder progresar mucho por su sector en ataque. Igual que Molina, rompió poco. Su intrascendencia en ataque lo llevó a dejarle el lugar a Acuña.
    DE PAUL: 5. Un primer tiempo muy nervioso en Rodrigo. Le costó imponerse en su zona y perdió un par de pelotas que pudieron haber traído un dolor de cabeza. En el segundo la pidió mucho pero gravitó poco.
    PAREDES: 4. No tuvo el brillo de otros partidos pero siempre la pidió para ser el comienzo de cada posesión. No le dio el ritmo que el juego reclamaba, erró un par de pases raros en él y fue reemplazado.
    GÓMEZ: 5. La forma de jugar de Arabia era una invitación a que Papu se luciera. Le llevó muchos minutos definirse entre ser asistidor o quien fuera al espacio a encarar mano a mano al arquero. Se esperaba más de él hoy.
    DI MARÍA: 5. Hizo lo de siempre, pararse contra la banda derecha y apenas recibió, encaró. El problema fue que la recibió pocas veces en orientación favorable a su velocidad y eso diluyó el peligro una y otra vez. En la segunda parte desbordó más pero sin encontrar quien conectara sus centros.
    MESSI: 6. Por 26ta. vez marcó el 1-0 para la Selección. Le taparon el gol al comienzo, metió el penal y le anularon otro en el primer tiempo. Después de la ráfaga saudí pudieron más sus nervios que su talento y se contagió del flojo nivel colectivo.
    Lautaro MARTÍNEZ: 6. Hizo dos goles, después anulados, pero con mucha categoría en la definición. Padeció el letargo en el pase que señaló una y otra vez. Peleó hasta cuando no era necesario, puro corazón.

    • According to Ole this is the player rating:

      23-E. Martínez (5): Poco pudo hacer en ambos goles. El primero fue un remate cruzado que se le metió justo al lado del palo, a pesar de su estirada. En el segundo, se le clavó arriba. El resto, resolvió bien, aunque no tuvo tapadas importantes.

      26-N. Molina (5): Contenido. Por momentos, nervioso. Lo mejor que hizo fue cuando fue al ataque, pero se dedicó a contenida su zona.

      13-C. Romero (3): Su peor partido en la Selección. Al punto que Scaloni lo sacó a los 13′ del ST, por Lisandro Martínez. Pagó en el gol del empate de Al-Shehri. Y estuvo vulnerable como pocas veces. Se notó que no llegó bien en lo físico.

      19-N. Otamendi (3,5): Otro que estuvo muy por dejabajo del nivel habitual. Impreciso en el arranque, luego metió dos muy buenos cruces que salvaron al equipo. Igual, como toda la defensa argentina, dio ventajas. No le cobraron un penal en el ST. La Selección necesita de su liderazgo en el fondo.

      3-Nicolás Tagliafico (4): Le costó hacer pie. Pareció tener una marcha menos, sin reacción en ofensiva y con complicaciones a la hora de marcar. Se erró el empate debajo del arco. Scaloni también lo sacó por bajo rendimiento, a los 25 del segundo tiempo. En su lugar entró Acuña.

      7-R. De Paul (4,5): Desconocido. Confundido. Sin la intensidad de otros partidos. Le costó jugar y le costó marcar. Falló una cancha clara al recibir la pelota en la puerta del área, tras un córner. Mejoró en el segundo tiempo, pero no alcanzó.

      5-L. Paredes (4): Le hicieron el foul del penal para el 1-0. Pero luego, jugó atado, fue inconstante a la hora de marcar y también a la hora de distribuir. Sufrió el partido. No llegó a cortar a Al Dawsari en el segundo gol. Salió reemplazado por Enzo Fernández, todo un síntoma de que no funcionó en ninguna de las facetas.

      17-A. Gómez (4): Mejor yendo que volviendo. En el retroceso, pagó. Y varias veces. Metió un exquisito pase filtrado a Lautaro, en el primer gol que le anularon. Y luego, aportó otro en cortada, de izquierda a derecha, que casi termina en gol de Di María. Pero fue inconstante para jugar y, con el equipo en desventaja, Scaloni lo reemplazó por Julián Álvarez.

      11-A. Di María (4): Armó la primera jugada de riesgo de Argentina, pero no pudo desequilibrar como siempre, a pesar de que lo intentó una y otra vez. Tuvo el segundo en el final del primer tiempo, aunque le quedó incómoda para definir de derecha. La pidió siempre, pero nunca pudo terminar de armar las jugadas que inició.

      10-L. Messi (4,5): Había arrancado bien. En la primera que tocó, casi abre el partido: la sacó el arquero. Luego, marcó de penal el 1-0 y hasta anularon un gol por offside. Pero luego, no pudo soltarse. Bien marcado, no pudo ni de tiro libre ni de cabeza. El partido también lo sorprendió y nunca le pudo encontrar la vuelta.
      Messi no tuvo un buen partido. Foto: Fernando de la Orden Messi no tuvo un buen partido. Foto: Fernando de la Orden

      22-L. Martínez (4): Le anularon dos veces el 2-0 por offside, cuando había definido bien en ambas. Pero luego, no tuvo chances claras. Y no tuvo el peso que necesitaba el equipo en el área. Fue a todas, pero no le quedó ninguna.

      25-L. Martínez (5): Entró por Cuti Romero a los 13′ del segundo tiempo. Intentó ser salida desde el fondo. Arriesgó en varias ocasiones y fue al frente en otras.
      A Lautaro le anularon dos goles. Foto: Fernando de la OrdenA Lautaro le anularon dos goles. Foto: Fernando de la Orden

      24-E. Fernández (6): Tuvo su debut mundialista en un momento súper complicado del partido, 1-2 abajo. Entró por Paredes y aportó ubicación, orden y buen trato de pelota. Tampoco alcanzó.

      9-J. Álvarez (5): A la cancha por Papu Gómez, se movió en la primera línea de ataque tirado a la izquierda, aunque no pudo pesar en el partido. Tuvo en un rebote una chance y se la sacaron justo.

      8-M. Acuña (5): Ingresó a los 25′ por Tagliafico, de mal partido. Con él, Scaloni buscó más proyección por izquierda. Pero no lo consiguió.

      Lionel Scaloni (5): No logró que el equipo cayera en la trampa que lo llevó Arabia. Con los cambios buscó reacción pero no fue suficiente.

  9. If you think that you are in good form then you automatically will have a chance to play better, I kinda disagree with that. It is true the likes of Cuti, Paredes need more time to be match fit. But think of Tagliafico. He’s one of those who played a lot for Lyon and is in good form, but today he played like he’s out of form.

    I think it is just one of those games where a lot of players play bad at the same time, that’s all. It has very little things to do with the club form. It is hard to find the MOM of Argentina today. I mean who? All of them played bad pretty much.

  10. Let us fans not much be concerned about the outcome of this match. If it’s a tie or a win, we have to win the next 2 games and top the group. May be this 2 games will be the most difficult path till Semis. Sometimes luck comes in the form of small bad things. Let’s count this as one of that.

    • Try to forget it. Let’s wait for this weekend and enjoy our next match. We are going to have a fantastic night in mexico. Other results may be favorable too by the next Sunday and it may just reduce the pressure on us for the final match.
      Be optimistic. We are going to sail through it.

    • We have to accept destiny. You are not in control of this team’s destiny. You are not playing for them. This team’s performance is not in your control. So forget about what happened. Get ready to enjoy the beauty of football. We still have 2 games in hand. Let’s see what has destiny in store for the team in the 2 matches. Both Mexico and Poland have solid defence and Poland has Lewandowski, who has a score of two to settle with Messi. So the journey would be tough but not impossible. Scaloni needs to have a different team but not a vastly different team. The team has to have more youth in the form of Enzo and Alvarez.

  12. Remember that Netherlands was flat outplayed by Senegal and won 2-0. We dominated and lose 2-1. This happens in football. Stop freaking out like little girls. We just need a few changes.

    Guido X Paredes
    Enzo X Papu
    Almada to start on the left wing. Di Maria to come in as a sub.

  13. Will it be too Harsh if I say Romero was responsible for both the goal? Really sloppy for world class defender like him. For the first goal, he was not agile, didn’t close the striker, nor the shot. Defenders’ job is to cover the far post while goalkeeper cover the near post. He didn’t do anything. For the second goal, again, he didn’t engage the ball when it was in air. Cuti was standing still letting the ball landing on the strikers feet. This Arg team is known for formidable defense and today we leaked two goals! I think that made the difference and Cuti is largely responsible for that.

      • Paredes poor marking caused the goal. He should have blocked the ball better. Cuti did all his best for the first goal. I don’t think he was at fault. It was just a good shot and a good angle that probably happened once in that player life time a shot like that.

        • I partially take my comment back. It was Molina for the second goal. However, I still don’t vindicate Cuti from the burden of first goal. He had the opportunity to engage the ball or player (for a free-kick) outside the penalty box which he probably would had the striker been an elite one. I think in both the cases, Cuti and Molina didn’t think Saudi Arabian players could pull off such quality strikes which any top striker would be envious of.

    • Romero was completely at fault in the first goal..lost the guy, tried to unbalance him but couldn’t..tackle also failed ..he looked out of pace also…

  14. Spain lost 2010 opening match.
    They were totally invincible in the whole tournament. Untouchable team. But still they lost their first game.

    Ofcourse this will put heavy unwanted pressure on both of our next games.
    But let’s not loose the hope. I believe In LA Scaloneta. They will bounce back with more power.

  16. Havent posted sice years , been following and reading all comments since 2012 here on mundo. Am half saudi , this loss hurts so bad .
    As Messi said no excuses , but I think this team is past his peak . More than half the them out of form . Am sorry to the optimits but I dont see this team passing the group stage.

  17. Observations
    1. Too casual. Over confident. Sense of pride and superior complexity. Took the game for granted.

    2. They didn’t play like a world cup. They played like a friendly. They have no idea how Iceland, KSA or similar countries play with their life when they get to world cup

    3. Messi can never deliver under pressure. Scaloni should have balls to drop him.

    4. Scaloni is suddenly confused. About last min roster changes and all.

    5. I doubt this team can beat Mexico or Poland. It is not given.

    6. Too much partying and fun. Attitude is wrong.

    • Messi can’t deliver under pressure?????
      Tell me again who scored a hat-trick in the last qualifying game to send arg to 2018 WC
      This match had nothing to do with pressure

      The balance wasn’t there in the midfield and Romero had a shocker

      So dumbass don’t blame Messi for this loss
      If u wanna drop Messi, lol go ahead and let’s see if you can replace him or even be competitive

  19. It looks like unbelievable to bounce back in this group…A very bad day …a day not to remember…shocking,,ashamed of myself…after 5-0 against UAE our players were bit overconfidence..coach too…..this blow is necessary…we played bad..even we had bad luck in offside goal canceling case..

    We must not have conceded against Saudi Arab

    • You can’t change anything now… Make sure they wont play like this again.. Your faith in your hand beat maxico and poland and you go next round….

  21. Defense of 2014 team was much better than this team. No defender in this sqaud is better than Garay, Roja, Zabaleta. Defense is vital in world cup.

  23. My opinion
    1,Scaloni must realize the team is unbalanced especially on the left
    2,Stick with 3 central midfield
    3,Think about who replace lo celso if no one can replace .directly move di Maria to the left ,Messi on the right
    4, Acuna should replace tagliafico
    5,Guido replace Paredes
    6, A corrrea replace lo celso ,only correa can

    #####Lautaro
    Di maria##messi
    ##Correa#De Paul
    #####Guido
    Acuna#Otamendi#pezella#Molina

    correa de Paul interchangeable

  25. MESSI unfit player hiding his unfitness
    Dmaria coming back from injury and less speedy in wings
    Papu Gomez is slow in leftwing and contribution in defence is less
    Paredes and depoul both are not in good touch like prev games
    Cuti is also not fit
    Badly misses locelso Nico and correa
    There is some gap left by locelso Messi trying to heal tht gap by playing little deep and concentrating on middle

  26. Messi, Di Maria, Otamendi will all retire following the next game. Argentina needs to rebuild a new team and should use the young generation. Dybala will retire before even playing for us, that’s sad. Almada is invited to be our savior was hard to digest, and leaving papu playing 60 min was a conspiracy

  28. Everyone talks about the wrong tactics. You can’t ignore the physical. You cannot have a strong spirit in a weak body. Watch today’s match to see how important fitness is. You can’t win no matter how good you are when your muscles get tired. Be realistic.

  29. If we win next two matches we will qualify easily for next round because I have never seen any not going to the next round with 6 points, but winning next two matches will not be easy.

  30. I wonder if they gonna give another copa interview again? This game was lost at the beginning of the second half. Where scaloni refuse to change his tactics after all those offsides.

  31. Must watch Mexico vs Poland now. We created an unwanted mess fir ourselves.

    Denmark drawn vs Tunisia? What more we may have to see coming days.

    • Arab teams are being given help. I’m sorry but an arm is not offside…A shoulder is. I don’t want to use that as an excuse because you have to win at the end of the day but the offside calls were draconian and an embarrassment.

      • I think you are right. The other day Ecuador also got robbed. It was clearly NOT offside. Now Argentina. It is insane. If that was offside, then Di Maria goal vs Brazil was a much more offside then.

        • Yes, i don’t get this VAR OR WHATEVER IT IS NOW TURNED OUT BE as there is no replys from cameras as also this what so ever new invention do not convince me a single bit as i think many able to using computers quickly enough could draw something like that not necessarily knowing about football or offside neither, though i’m not saying this is the case, but i don’t understand the reason why the VAR which was used in COPA and also in ROBA VARZIL as also in EUROS and in many domestic european leagues and UCL OR EUROPA LEAGUE ETC..is suddenly changed to something looking like made with in commodore 64 or 128 or amiga or amiga 500 or with an Atari 8 bit etc…as this not make any Sense at all with no real images and replys from them actual game and the situation from it nor they hardly show this their latest what so ever tecnology which is far from convincing as anyone quick enough could draw something like this or either have just ready set model which u can either work the way or another as also please it can’t be for not stopping the game so long as Still there are given of extra time’s of allmost 5-10 minutes per game so what hell is this new VAR whatsoever, please anyone if can explain about this and it is been chosen for use in this WC , well as allways more than preciated !

      • Man FIFA is conducting this, not Qatar..or Arabs..don’t be mad..be realistic.
        Now they are using much improved technology for offside..so you can see more like this…

  32. Do we need to play Lautaro in front? Instead, we can have Messi and Dybala together at the mid. Also, Alvarez and Di Maria at the wings. I think, we need to keep on change our strategies as others are also smart.

  33. I have seen a lot of examples where a great team got beaten by a small team somehow and the next game, they unleash their wrath on the next team they face. It happens a lot. It kind of activate their “sense of emergency mode/full focus mode”.

    I have a feeling that after Saudi beating us, the giant is awakened. All great teams in the past never accept any loss just like that. I am glad the next game is Mexico not Poland as Mexico is less likely to park the bus. But Mexico will be the target of us being the awakened giant. Let’s see.

    I agree with someone who says that we don’t need a complete overhaul. Yes, this starting line up minus Lo Celso has a HUGE part in 2 titles, 36 games winning streaks and FIFA ranking 3 and so on. Why would you change the whole thing just because of a bad game? We will need to win and we want to experiment on the must win game… in the WORLD CUP? Come on?

    I agree with some changes maybe 1-2 at most. Not like 5-6-the whole team changes like some suggest here. The team already has an identity. They won’t play bad games 2 times in a row. It is super rare where about 7-8 core players played bad at the same time. It won’t happen again.

    I am still confident with this team. Mexico will taste the awakened giant unfortunately. Also it is still very possible to top the group as long as we win the next 2 games as I don’t think Saudi will collect 7-9 points after 3 games right?. Sorry all new Saudi fans here, but I don’t think they would win their next 2 games. Form is temporary, class is permanent.

    • I always respect your comments but my friend, for this team, talk is cheap. They have to play like their life depends on it. This team has been celebrating way too long that Copa victory. And today they were exposed badly by a good manager and a team that was willing to lay everything on the line. This victory is their World Cup final. And these embarassing moments happen way too often for us. Bielsa’s side which was much better comes to mind. Messi and company can say whatever they want to soothe the pain, but come Saturday you better be ready to f”ing play the game of your lives.

      • Yes man. They were in easy mode coming to the World Cup. A bunch of socializing, asado party. They got carried away by what they have achieved. They felt they were the strongest, which led them to be over confident. They need to change that. That’s a dangerous state. Brazil felt the same way up until the semi final of WC 2014. They felt they were undefeated before they got trashed by Germany.

        Anyway, I still believe in this team. Just don’t hit the panic button. Spain, the Euro champion, in WC 2010 used their BEST winning team, a team full of Barca and Madrid players. Who didn’t know Casillas; Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Capdevilla; Busquets, Xavi, Alonso; Iniesta, Villa, Silva? They lost 0-1 against Switzerland. Guess what? They just made 2 changes to their team and they won 2-0 against Honduras the next game. We need to copy that. Making too many changes in a decisive match shows that you are panic.

        Spain knew who they were. They won a lot with their winning team, why would they change the whole thing? We need to do the same. We are in the exact same situation now.

    • Do you think we are one of those teams? Have you seen Argentina ever do anything like that? I cant remember when we last went down and came back strong. My biggest concern is we don’t have a mentality. No mental strength, starting with Messi.

      • > I can’t remember when we last went down and came back strong.

        There are many but France 2018 comes to mind. All odds against us with the biggest piece of trash coach in history. Disastrous coaching but our boys stepped up and managed to bag 3. Down 2 goals and Messi > Aguero late goal and another big chance in the last few seconds with Messi, ADM, and Kun. That games was ALL MENTALITY and we fought hard.

    • Yeah i think saudi will loose player for 3rd matche because of yellow cards. Also. Maxico and poland will be better prepare for match against saudi. 2 won against Maxico and poland and we can top the group…

    • Right, we were not even that bad. We had 15 shots to their 3. 9 corners to their 2. 3 disallowed offside goals. Those are domination stats.

      People on this forum lurch from one extreme to the other like children.

      Guido for Paredes
      Enzo for Papu
      Lisandro for Romero
      Acuna for Tag not because Tag was bad but because we need goals.

      Start someone on the left wing and let Di Maria come in as sub. Alvarez or Almada.

    • Everyone know he’s not fit…He should have played just one half against UAE…but he played full match..!
      Even DiMaria not fit ….just back from injury…we have lost 3 players..they are crucial in Scaloni’s tactics..!

  36. Somebody said…Paredes is our best player..with his weird and illogical stat…we all know that was not true…but still he kept on posting that… please post your updated stat..!

  37. Saudis were super lucky a win with 2,5 vs 0,2 xG is simply absurd with a robbed goal and a lot of offsides goals. They played horrible “football” to be fair. We have to learn a lot from this.
    Scaloni first matches:
    0:2 vs Columbia
    1:1 vs Chile
    1:2 vs Saudis
    then good changes.

    By bookies ARG still the second biggest favourite to win the WC, and the odds that ARG will qualify is only 1,4.

    • Some people here worship Saudi as if they are really THAT GOOD. Argentina is not THAT bad and Saudi is not THAT good. Come to reality.

      They got super duper lucky in the game. The next time they set up all those offside traps, 50% of them will end up in them conceding goal. Today they got lucky 100% of their offside traps were successful. That’s called luck.

      • @el_principe agreed about the famous and well known and well remembered luck factor as like u said today Saudi’s were lucky and Arg for long being unlucky as Arg was unbeaten for 36 games and also won Copa and Finalissima too with Scaloni as obviously Copa victory at Maracana for me personally was a bigger one as i’m not saying Italy lost, because they were mentally down for not Qualifying, but for sure it must had effect them somehow, though i’m not taking either anything away from Arg great performance as one of the best since 2006 until that one very famous and well remembered game against Germany as besides that game Arg was playing fantastic football, maybe technically the best i ever seen, but again whether one want’s to call them rather small or bigger things cost us in the end as i’m not wanting to go back to those well known details etc…but it is also true somehow like they have saying with many sports that one also must earn their luck as at 2014 final i Still can’t see that saying fitting with that besides Arg blew it’s own chances as German’s did not create anything til’ that decissive moment, which is also very hard to forget as obviously there are others too, but i would like to belive with the fashion of 1990 way with only one difference to 1990 as that Arg will win rest of their games as Spain did 2010 forexample, but the coming days will let us know as Mexico game coming is alkready on it’s way as ideal would be begging a draw from Poland against Mexico as i don’t think the Saudi’s will be able to pull again what they did to Arg today, which was super risky way of playing, but gave them victory with luck too, but also those goals that Arg let in today did not look like usual Arg style of defending as both goals could had been clearly avoided, but offcourse that is very easy also say now afterwards, Still i think there were also ERRORS in attack wise that cost Arg not to score more as against team playing with so high line Arg with little bit of more clinical and timely passing and also more better timely running behind the very high up playing Saudi line could had been done more better also same offcourse to those deffensive ERRORS that are not really Arg’s style of defending what we seen before from Scaloni’s team as obviously after the first Saudi goal everything colapsed and let in the shock that Arg could not dealt with today as second Saudi goal should had been even more stopable than the first one as i do understand this kind if things can happen for any team at WC and today it hapoened to be Arg, though i have not see the end after the second Saudi goal as i had to TaKe my kids for their foitball training and today honestly was indeed not good day fir my family as i missed the game, because i had ti suddenly bring my MOM to hospital and after everything seemed fine as they ket us out after they complete their examinations by the doctors, but it was not the end as while driving my kids to training and trying to somehow explain them why Arg had lost today and that i understand that they are not used to that as i have and many others in here too, but while explaining this my brother called me and told me that he is in ambulance with my MOM on their way back to hospital again and after the kids had stopped their training we decided to wait as the Indoor training facility is in the same City as the hospital where my mother has to stay now at least some days more or less as we taught all the time that she had recoverd from her sympthoms and we were just waiting to give my brother and my MOM a lift back to home wit us and our car as taxi would had cost quite a lot and we kept training by our own fir one more extra our as more having fun on the pitch with my 9 year old son and 11 year old daughter and by this trying obviously over come our saddness from Arg’s game and also not to concentrate also for too much on my mother, but after anextra hour at 21 pm we decided to go get some food and bring also to my brother as he had been in the hospital when we arrived there at 22 pm alkready 4-5 hours with my MOM and as we all thought that as soon as she had talked with Doctor as all the examinations were alkready done many hours ago when they arrived at the hospital, Still we waited more 2 hours with kids in the car as we did not wanted to go inside the emergency in the hospital and finally i saw from outside that the Doctor called for my MOM and påquite quick after she had walked inside by her own as my brother was talking with us outside while we with the kids were in the car as outside temperature -6 with sone cold breeze so real feel more close to -10 or more, we were a bit eased as everyone obviously being sure that afterf the discussion with Doctor finaly we could all go home, but no as instead they did not want to TaKe any risk’s with my MOM releasing her to go home so the Doctor decided to Jeep her in the hospital as they will kerp on examinating her heart and TaKe more pictures from inside her head as she has had very rare blood disease called as polysytemia vera, which can either make your blood to much thick as in my mother’s case as for others can also cause vice versus to make their blood too thin, so we have obviously lived with this the last 20 year’s knowing that one day her blood could be blocked inside her vains where ever around her body or transfer to Leukemia as blood cancer etc..,but as this is very very rare blood disease in the world generally, Still some have lived with it for very long as much mote long than estimated and all who have this same rare blood disease do not get neither Leukemia or even their blood been to much thick that it will cause an block inside the vains as also oxigen will not run anymore through your vains etc…or get too much thin that will lead to constant bleading of blood until u die as bit like a major big vain broken inside someone’s head as they will obviously bleed to death or go to coma as too much blood filling inside the brains , so now as 2.30 am i’m wondering if i should drive back to see her while kids are at sleep and will not deffinetly go to school tomorrow as too much lack of sleep for them tonight, as i’m a bit scared that as i did not go to inside the emergency that i would not maybe never be able to talk with her even she looked fine and could walked by her own as my brother was there with her in the emergency and also i did not want my kids see all kind situations handled in the emergency as there were obviously some drama too when the Cops came pick someone who i think they had left there earlier on as it seemed like something to do obviously with somekind of violent story or some crazy people with completly on heavy drugs walking in and out as typical emergency story etc.,,but, i have experienced something a bit similar situation at 2015 when they suddenly gave my father only few months time to live as they discovered cancer from his pancreas with a size of that they do not operate in my country as literally they do not know how to make such a surgery as in German they have the european pancreas cancer center, where many been suggesfully operated as gaining few extra year’s of life time by this as pancreas cancer is the worst one and the only goid thing in my perspective is that it kills you very fast in couple of months so at least not so long time of suffering as my father obviously had some pain,which was treated with opiates as they do in my country for the most who can’t be operated with surgery etc..,but at least he could stay home with us those last 3 months and died in his own bed instead of the blody hospital one and only think i regrett with my brother was that the day he died we knew that it will happen very soon,but obviously not thought that in next half an hour so we left quickly to go pick up his sister as his younger brother was in Arg during that time with his wife from area of Buenos Aires, but soon after we had picked my dad’s younger sister and were alkready driving back my mother called us to hurry as she felt that my dad’s time had obviously come very close to the end and when we entered back to the house obviously it was too Late, though i had talked with him in the morning a bit and as the kids were so young that time it never caught them as obviously it did to us, but now situation is obviously different as kids are old enough to understand where all this with my MOM could end up, though they understand also that if not hopefully now it will obviously happen to all human beings one day the way or another as wehave tried to practice this in advance by learning not to suffer so much, though it may sound more easier than it actually is, but as their mother being borned as buddhist so obviously they too have been practicing like i have also done about breathing in and out while sitting with closer eyes as this has also helped them to concentrate more on the school and also it can be allraedy seen on the foitball pitch too, though it is only one small detail as technique obviously the most important with ball control and goid vision so is physical side of the sport where u have learn to run quickly and fast, but also keep on running til’ the end of the games as i think in modern football technique Still the key, but without right physical condition won’t be enough as the game itself is just getting faster and faster combined with incredible technique as the best of players of the world are more less equipped with theese aspects amongst many others as it is just not enough with only very good technique and vision like forexample Riquelme once use to play as he did not need to run that much as obviously he was not the fastest on the field either, but a true great playmaker that in modern foitball has been allraedy for long as dyieng breed etc..,if any update’s or ideas which might be good approach against Mexico as tactically and with what set of players as alkways more than preciated to hear more from that as obviously my brain is not fully funktional at this current moment as i was not only obviously hit by one shocked as another with my MOM occured too, so now i just have to deal with both those+ my kids coming games at weekend as 25th will be devoted obviously by my family to DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA, R.I.P as 2 year’s has gone so quick that it Still feels so weird not having DIEGO anymore with amongst us, but offcourse he will alkways live in our hearts eternally as also those other great’s from past Arg Nt LA SELECCION that have also moved or past away from this present world that we are Still living in it and remembering those who are not anymore amongst us with such great respect to them all ! As i hope their spirits will somehow be able to help Arg’s current Nt at the WC in Qatar !

  38. The main points are tactics , speed&height ,formation and physical ability

    Now you know how important physical ability is .

    Tactics :
    Saudi arabia is tactically impressive ,they move forwards their 4 defenders ,narrow the middle space .So that force our team pass back or long ball .However our striker are slow and short that’s why always offside .You need a fast striker or winger

    Formation:
    Suddenly change to 4231 ,No acuna unbalanced .left side stroke. Normally 3 central midfielders and diamond shape central midfield with two engines lo celso and messi .you are missing left side engine at the same time no acuna that means left side stroke .the weakest link is left side. I had said before don’t change formation during world cup

    Speed:
    Only di Maria is fast enough ,no left side speedy winger and striker .that means saudi can easily move forward the whole team .Too many short player lack of height that’s why you can not benefit from corners.

    physical ability :
    Very important, do you know how clumsy left side is, Saudi ‘s player are strong ,fast

    All in all ,this team has lots of problem not because saudi is strong but we are weak .

    I would say game is over already no matter you believe or not .Argentina is showing the world their problems .So Mexico, Poland or France can realize from this match.

  39. Shocking defeat and a must needed wake up call!! We have two matches to go and if we can’t beat this Mexican and Polish team then we don’t deserve to be the champions. Denmark has tied with Tunisia which means its France mostlikely will top the group. Today’s Mexico vs Poland match is very important and hopefully it will end in a draw so both teams will also be under pressure against us.

    The lack of creativity from the midfield and left flank cost us this match. Almost every ball was passed to Dimaria hoping he will create some chances. Depaul and Paredes in the absence of Loceslo produced zero creativity. There is a reason Tagliafico is in French league. His offensive side is mediocre. We should have started Acuña which will happen in the next match. Paredes needs to be dropped as he couldn’t fcuking clear the ball for the second ball and produced nothing from the midfield. Cuti is not fit otherwise there was no way the first goal was going in. Scaloni too late to make changes. Dybala should have been brought in for Lautaro who was having disastrous match.

    Next match MacAllister or Enzo for Papu, Guido for Paredes who also brings height and these two will allow Depaul to venture forward. Acuña for Tagliafico and Licha for unfit Cuti and Dybala should come off for Lautaro or Dimaria. Don’t rot your inform trump card on the bench Scaloni. Today you were outclassed and outwitted by Saudi coach. His high defense line in the first half nullified our threat and second half they countered us took their chances while out fowards either were offside or too indecisive. On two occasions Dimaria and Messi not pulling trigger early was a wtf moment. Anyways this is a wake up call. Unlike 2018 we have a great team and we have the squad to beat the other two teams and top this group.

    • DePaul out of form.. if messi is not fit

      Use A.correa,Alvarez and Dybala upfront
      McAllister Guido Enzo in middle
      Acuna,Lisandro Otamendi Foyth/Montiel

  41. 1. Letting KSA score 2 goals was bad. At worst, we should have won 1-0.

    2. Scaloni’s team take time to pick rythm. But world cup group stage is so tricky. It is very easy to get knocked out.

    3. Argentina got outcoached. Everyone expected Saudi to defend deep. But they did the opposite. Given our lack of pace upfront, we could not punish their high line.

    4. I am hopeful team will bounce back and win next two matches.

  43. May be its time to introduce Dybala to the playing 11 at least as a sub, Unfortunately Messi-Dybala combo have hardly been played, If not now i don’t know when we would try that combo, more than ever. Anyway Scaloni and team has a huge task now. Which they haven’t faced for nearly 2 years.

  44. Oh u start to cross? Well garnacho shoukd have been called up. No but Mr messi u are greedy. U want all the fame. U don’t want someone else get credit. Everything is messi messi. Play as a fucking team and u will achieve success

  45. So we are basically back where we were in 2018. With a different coach and different players. We now have to win and win big. We have to pray that Mexico and Poland tie 0-0. Should Mexico or Poland win today, how badly does that hurt our chances?

    • Man this group has become unpredictable as Saudi got 3 points.. anything can happen…win both matches.. with maximum goal difference..this is the only option to make sure the qualifications… otherwise…wait for other results…!

  47. Honestly don’t really know what to say as i was not able the match at all, because instead had to bring her hospital, well she is fine now, but don’t if i was lucky as unlucky i’m watching now as what i saw so far is that first chance for Messi to score after few minutes and then a penalty given and Keo scored comfortably and Ok Yes credit Saudi’s and their high line and playing their offside trap succesfully as the first one from Messi clearly and offside, but the first one from Lautaro did not looked offside to me as also commentators where very surprised by that decission, but alao i not see Arg complaining too much about it, though Still it not looked like offside as the ones after in the first half clearly were and also i have not seen any image’s from drawn by VAR or whatever technology they are using and that is very intresting to mee as normally with VAR i’m used to at least see clear images and replays, but nothing so far also even Saudi’s playing decentky until now as i’m over the 40 min to first half Still, Ok Saudi’s have managed to husttle and force Arg to play long ball
    , which obviously is not ideal for Arg, because of Saudi’s pressing high up and so far Arg has been offsidetrapped by Saudi’s as 7 times, but Still even many whistles, and many free kicks and very broken game by those whistless, Still i can’t belive that how they lost this in the end as first half allmost over finnished and Ok Saudi’s been hustling and pressing hard, but not really any real threat’s so far…?

    • OMG ! What an goal by Saudi’s from crazy posession to back of net with bounching ball as Dibu tried to dive for it,but could not do anything to save that as was it Messi who lost the ball in the middle…? But why did Cuti and Ota were backing down as they should gone for the ball or foul that player before letting him to box, deffenetly Cuti made obviously not the best decission on that goal, but i don’t want to blame anyone personally, though i’m shocked about that goal, but now i have to go to bring my kids to their football training as they are obviously super sad as this is Still new to them, as i have seen joy 2 times Arg LIFTING the WC, but obviously as many others here also lot of sadness and painfully memories from the past, but i got to go now, though not really sure if i will be able conctrate fully as OMG again great strike from the Saudi’s, but again one guy surrounded by 4 Arg players, no this is even more unacceptable than the first one as u just can’t let your opponent to score like that between from 4 of Arg’s players, Ok 2 very costly misstakes and i can quess the rest as no need to watch anymore as since the second half Arg deffenetly playing very badly at their own back at least as i will Still not know how this whole second half performance will end as if there will be any positive signs from Arg any more at this terrible beginning of the second half….

  48. I have a feeling that this game is rigged.

    After Qatar and Iran’s big loss, FIFA, gambling co. and Middle East mafias need this win from KSA.

    ARG will get paid back later in this tournament.

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