Emiliano Martínez commented on Argentina’s 2-1 win against Mauritania.
Martínez allowed one goal in the match against Mauritania but had a lot to say about the team. Speaking to the media after the match, here is what he had to say:
“It was one of the worst matches that we have played. We have to have a little bit more heart. Thank God we didn’t play the Finalissima. If we played like that, we would lose…
“When we put on the national team jersey, we have to put more. We need more heart. We lacked intensity.
“Before the last World Cup, we were tested against Italy and we showed that we can do it. Now, we don’t know if we have are at a top 10 World class level to compete.
“This serves us to show that we need a bit more blood.
“Yesterday, we lost Panichelli to a torn ACL, maybe today people played with less intensity out of fear of injury or something. But when we put on the Argentina national team jersey, we have to do much better.
Very honest assessment from Dibu. A reality check was required just before the World Cup. Thankfully this team has many leaders and knows how to bounce back.
After watching yesterday’s appalling display, I have changed my expectations for the WC. Spain, France and Germany all experienced early exits at the WC after winning the previous edition. We could be next. Therefore, I no longer expect Argentina to reach the semi-finals but hope we do not embarrass ourselves. If we had played Spain yesterday, it would easily 0-5 or worse.
The coaches of Algeria and Austria will watch the game against Mauritania with a smile on their faces and make notes of our weak points they can exploit 2,5 months from now. Scaloni’s ‘never change a winning formula’ has turned into ‘never change an aging and slow squad.’ Four years of repeated successes has had an effect on many players and it is not positive. We underestimate opponents and do not work hard. The arrogance will only stimulate opponents.
We basically play the same squad as four years (3,5 years) ago with only Paz being the exception. Too many players should not be in the team anymore and now there is no time left to integrate new players and get a good and solid rhythm. Shaun Wellington (Kidulthood and other hit the nail on the head).
I hope the return of Licha will make a difference. The guy is a fighter and always wants to win. His attitude is what we need. But I guess it won’t be enough. We have no great LB. The days of Tarantini and Sorin are long gone and we do not have someone like DiMarco, Carvajal or Mendy. Same issue with RB. No Zanetti and no one comparable to Hakimi or Dumfries. Romero is having an awful season at Spurs and Otamendi was already slow 4 years ago. Messi was the best player in the world for 17 years but he can no longer carry the team. If the game against Zambia is bad too, I wonder if he will even go the WC.
Fingers crossed that things improve and that we can play some decent matches. Back to back titles will remain a thing of the past.
Feels like Lionel scaloni just wanted to take one last look at tagliafico’s situation like, if he’s unavailable, can Acuna still be trusted as a backup option. Just guessing though.That said, the fullback situation has clearly been neglected. This was probably the easiest wc qualifiers , and it would’ve been the perfect time to phase in new players but instead, he stuck with the old guards.
Its starting to feel a bit like a repeat of 2018 world cup, where a lot of the core players declined at the same time. Sure, the team hasn’t played together in a while, so perfect chemistry isnt expected but how far can he realistically rely on the same old group going into the next World Cup?
That was honest from Emi. I think we will see a spirited Argentina vs Zambia. Need to see Flaco, Barco, Giay , Rojas , Perrone starting this time. Maybe one more opportunity for Senesi. Senesi vs Balerdi for 4th CB position is 50-50. Balerdi looks more error prone. But he looks faster than Senesi. Senesi looks aerially more useful in corner set pieces. Also he is playing well in a stronger league consistently for few seasons.