Cristian Romero trained with the rest of his team mates on Tuesday and might be a starter for Argentina vs. Uruguay.
Romero, who missed out on Argentina’s opening match at the Copa America, has been recovering from a muscle strain. Following the match, he did some stretches with the rest of the players who did not play in the 1-1 draw.
On Tuesday, the team trained and Romero trained alongside them. Per Ole, should Romero continue with his recovery, he might start for Argentina vs. Uruguay on Friday.
Already 202 days after Diego Maradona’s death, the legend is still present in the hearts of football fans and he will continue to be. With the international football break due to the pandemic, this Monday was the third official meeting for the Argentina team after Diego’s death, and the first one in a competition of this magnitude.
Copa America’s tribute before Argentina’s opener vs. Chile showed once more the respect and admiration there is for Maradona around the globe. Even in Brazil, the land of Pelé, and that dispute with Diego to see who is the best footballer ever, they paid tribute to the Argentine legend.
A 3D animation showed Maradona doing keepie-uppies and wearing the kits of the teams he made his name with, such as Napoli, Barcelona, Boca Juniors, and, of course, the national team. It also featured some of his greatest moments, his first-ever interview, and his magnificent goal vs. England in World Cup 1986.
Later, during the game, Lionel Messi opened the score with a brilliant free-kick and then celebrated in a Maradonian way, jumping with his legs separated and raising his right fist. A free-kick goal of those that Diego scored, and a goal celebration of those that Diego made.
Incredibly, with this goal in Argentina 1-1 draw vs. Chile (Lionel Messi free kick magic not enough as Argentina draw 1-1 vs. Chile | Mundo Albiceleste), Lionel Messi reached his 57th goal from a direct free-kick in his career. In this area, he is now just five goals away from Diego Maradona, who scored 62.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke at the post-game press conference following the team’s 1-1 draw vs. Chile. With this result in Argentina’s Copa America opener, the national team reaches its 3rd consecutive draw within 11 days.
Speaking to the media, Lionel Scaloni complimented his players, minimized the draw, and criticized the condition of the field. Here is what he had to say:
“There were two specific plays in which the team was not well. They (Chile) got the penalty and nothing else. From that moment it was uphill for us.
“We deserved to win but, in the end, we came away with a draw. Anyway, this is just the start of a very tough tournament.
“I would be worried if the team did not create goal scoring opportunities. The important thing is that we do it, we put many players in the area. The ball is going to end up going in, we are calm.
Regarding the poor state of the field:
“Having played better on this field says a lot. We found a field where after ten minutes it was no longer possible to play football.”
Lionel Scaloni concluded the press conference saying he is very satisfied with the squad he selected for the Copa America:
“We have a great squad. All the footballers who are here can play, that’s why they came.”
Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez spoke to the media following Argentina’s 1-1 draw vs. Chile at the Copa America.
While Messi scored and should have had a few assists to his name, his team only managed one and one point by the end of it all. Scoring an incredible free kick vs. Chile, Messi gave Argentina the 1-0 lead going into half time.
However, for the third straight match, the team was unable to maintain that advantage. Speaking to the media following the game, here’s what Messi had to say:
“It was a complicated. We were missing tranquility, controlling the ball and playing quicker. The penalty changed the match. We wanted to start by winning. Now we have Uruguay which will also be complicated. But you need to think about the next match now.”
Emiliano Martinez managed to save a penalty kick but was unable to stop the rebound. However, beginning his third consecutive match, Martinez has shown that he is more than capable of handling the pressure that comes with being the Argentina national team goalkeeper. Speaking after the match, here is what Emiliano had to say:
“I believe in all three matches, we were superior to our rivals. We had a few chances to finish it and we couldn’t. Chile managed a big draw, for us, we’re left with a bitter taste.
“There are things to improve but what we created today was impressive. When one goes in, they’ll all start to go in. The group is very united and we’re confident in ourselves.
“It’s a shame about the penalty. I didn’t see that it hit the crossbar and it rebounded right at them.”
It was Argentina creating many of the first half chances. Nicolas Gonzalez with the first opportunity of the match for Argentina as a cross sent into the penalty area found the Stuttgart man but his header went just wide. A few moments later, Lo Celso would make a great pass into Gonzalez who would be one on one with the goalkeeper but his shot was saved.
Lionel Messi would open the scoring. A clearance by Emiliano Martinez found Lo Celso who was found and it was Messi taking the free kick and scoring to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.
Lautaro Martinez would get an opportunity as a ball into the penalty area would land onto Lautaro’s feet but his effort went wide.
The start of the second half was similar to the one which played out versus Colombia just a week ago. Chile pressure and a defensive mistake by Nicolas Otamendi let Chile into the penalty area. An initial save by Emiliano Martinez but kick by Nicolas Tagliafico onto Vidal and Chile were awarded a penalty kick.
Emiliano Martinez would make the save as the ball would bounce off the crossbar and back to Chile and Vargas would score the rebound. For the third consecutive match, Argentina were unable to hold onto a lead.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni would make a few substitues as Angel Di Maria replaced Gio Locelso and Exequiel Palacios replaced Leandro Paredes.
Messi nearly had an assist as he sent a cross into the penalty area but Nicolas Gonzalez missed his header. Scaloni would make three more changes were Joaquin Correa for Nicolas Gonzalez, Sergio Aguero for Lautaro Martinez and Nahuel Molina for Ezequiel Montiel.
Despite seven minutes of injury time being added, Argentina were unable to get another goal as the match would end in a 1-1 draw.
