Leandro Cufre spoke with Enganche on 947 FM Radio where he explained why Lionel Messi did not play for Argentina vs. Germany at the 2006 World Cup.
CUfre was part of the Argentina team back in 2006 for the World Cup. He only played one game for Argentina which was the 0-0 draw vs. the Netherlands. However, speaking with Enganche, he explained why Lionel Messi was not substituted on for Argentina in the quarter final match vs. Germany where Argentina were eliminated on penalty kicks. Here’s what he had to say:
“Jose (Pekerman) is a gentleman. He never said that Messi was wrapped i cotton to play vs. Germany. He could barely run. He could have said it because the entire country was killing him for it but he decided not to make any excuses.
“If in the 83rd minute Germany was sending crosses into our area, it’s logical that Cruz comes in to help with the aerial game. Now that I’m a coach, I would have done the same. Jose Pekerman, for us, is the biggest coach of all.”
Chelsea and Inter are reportedly keeping tabs on Argentina and Udinese goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Per a report by Tutto Udinese, the Argentine has caught the eye of the two European clubs. Inter’s current goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, who also happens to be the club captain, will be 36 in the summer as they look to find a replacement.
Over in London, Chelsea’s starting goalkeeper Kepa Arrozabalaga hasn’t had the best time at the club as he has even been replaced by Willy Caballero. Still only 25 years old, his transfer fee is a reported €30 million.
Juan Musso joined Udinese for a €4 million from Racing in 2018 and has even represented the Argentina national team.
As we reported earlier, the 2020 Copa America was expected to get postponed and the announcement has been made.
South America’s governing body CONMEBOL has confirmed that the tournament which was set to take place this year in Argentina and Colombia has been pushed back. The Copa America will now take place next year from June 11 until July 11.
The 2020 Copa America which was set to take place this year will be postponed.
Per a report by CL Merlo, this year’s South American tournament which was set to be held in Argentina and Colombia will not happen. Instead, it will very likely be pushed back until next year. This year’s Euro tournament has already been pushed back until next year and CONMEBOL are expected to make the decision official in the next few hours.
Per a report by Doble Amarilla, the tournament will take place between June 11 and July 11 of next year.
Back in 2007, on June 5 to be exact, Argentina played against Algeria at the Camp Nou and it ended with the two time World champions winning 4-3 in what was a friendly match which saw plenty of goals.
Argentina coach Alfio Basile was shaping up his team for the 2007 Copa America which was taking place that same month. He went with a different eleven which would start the opening game of the tournament against the United States. In the friendly match, the attacking trio consisted of Carlos Tevez, Diego Milito and home town hero Lionel Messi.
It took Carlos Tevez just two minutes into the match to score the opening goal. A penalty was awarded less than one minute into the match after Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito was brought down in the penalty area. Up stepped West Ham United man Carlos Tevez who scored the penalty, shooting to the goalkeeper’s left as the keeper went right. That goal was Tevez’s sixth goal for Argentina.
Algeria would draw level just a few minutes later. A corner kick saw them score. Yet despite such an abundance of attacking talent, it was Algeria who would finish the first half with the lead. A free kick for Algeria saw them score their second of the game.
Lionel Messi would bring Argentina back in it. Wearing the number 18, Messi was fouled inside the penalty area as Alfio Basile’s team were awarded a penalty kick. Messi would take it and like Tevez, would score.
The third goal would come shortly after. Javier Zanetti would make one of his trademark runs and cross into the area to Inter team mate Esteban Cambiasso who would head the ball into the net to give Argentina the lead.
Messi’s second goal was goal of the match. A lovely team goal which saw Messi and his idol Pablo Aimar play some one-two’s as they would go through the Algerian team and Messi would score.
It wasn’t over just yet as Algeria would score for a third time and again through a set piece.
Here was the Argentina starting eleven:
Roberto Abbondanzieri Nicolas Burdisso Gabriel Milito Javier Pinola Roberto Ayala Esteban Cambiasso Fernando Gago Javier Zanetti Lionel Messi Diego Milito Carlos Tevez
Substitutes: Luis Lucho Gonzalez for Nicolas Burdisso Javier Mascherano for Fernando Gago Hernan Crespo for Diego Milito Pablo Aimar for Carlos Tevez
