Lionel Scaloni spoke about the Argentina national team and the two matches in the World Cup qualifiers.
Scaloni held a press conference on Wednesday here he spoke about Lionel Messi but the coach also spoke about the team. Argentina play Uruguay on Thursday in a World Cup qualifier and here is what he had to say:
“We are not thinking about Brazil because we have Uruguay before, they are a very difficult opponent. We think about giving our best, it is one game at a time. Brazil will be after Uruguay, the important match is the next one.
“We have a marked way, after that, time will tell. There are different opinions, some say he plays very well, others say he could play better. That will be for you to analyze.
“We have to keep trying to improve and provide a style that people can identify with.”
He was also asked about the starting eleven against Uruguay:
“I’m going to decide the team this evening but in general, it’s the team that has been playing and I don’t think there will be many changes.”
The coach also spoke about the players being called up and Alejandro Garnacho not part of the team:
“Playing in Europe is not a condition to be called up. Thiago became a World champion while playing in the United States. What is important is that to play with the national team, you have to be a player that we need, in a position in which we have a problem or can improve.
“As long as the team is the way it is now, it is difficult to add players. The local league is playing and it doesn’t make sense to take players out for the sake of taking players out. There are interesting young players and when we beleive they can have a chance, they will have it, we have no doubt. We are convinced that we have no reason to change.
“The reason for not calling up Alejandro Garnacho? Him not being called up is due to a form issue. During the last call ups, he did not get minutes and we have to think about the human aspect as well too. It’s great that everyone wants to be here. He is a kid who is on our radar, he will continue to be. He’s just starting out and has a huge future.”
About who will start between Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez:
“We will make the decision on the nine based on what we think is best for the match. We already know they have played together but in this game I don’t think so. We have pretty much decided.”
He was asked about Pablo Maffeo and Francisco Ortega:
“Pablo and Pancho being called up is because we have been following them and we are here with problems in those positions. They appear to be interesting options for us. Pablo we have been following since before the Copa America, we know him and we believe it is the opportunity for him to work with us.”
Regarding playing against Marcelo Bielsa, the Uruguay coach:
“Being able to play against Bielsa and greet him, having been with him and having known him and more that we come from Newell’s, he’s a reference. It’s a joy and a satisfaction. Everyone who passed by him is marked. It’s a satisfaction to be able to play against him and greet him.”
He said he has been scouting Pablo Mafeo nearly for three years,right? Unbelievable! He is inteligent with a clear plan of fixing the weak links. Selections should fit the bigger plan and team. That is how you built an invincible team. With this strategy many talents will struggle to justify selection. Ballerdi,Senesi,Perez,Medina and other bunch of promising mid field players have to go extra mile to penetrate the existing stuck positions.
It would be interesting to see what strategy Scaloni adopts against a young talented team coached by his former boss.
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