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Lisandro Martinez says Lionel Messi is a leader, talks about Copa America, Olympics

Roy Nemer
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22

Lisandro Martinez recently spoke about the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi, the Copa America and the Olympics.

Martinez has started for Ajax in their last five league matches and eight of the last nine as he has played 90 minutes in most of those games. Enjoying a good run of games could get him included into the Argentina team for the upcoming Copa America.

Having made his debut in March of 2019 in a friendly match vs. Venezuela, the 23 year old defender managed to get some minutes alongside captain Lionel Messi. Speaking in an interview with EFE, here’s what he had to say about Messi:

“He’s a born leader. We can’t have him for 100 years but the years that he could be with the Argentina national team, we have to try and enjoy him as much as we can. It’s very nice observing him playing, how he sees things differently, how he anticipates the plays. No doubt it’s a question of watching him and observing because he’s incredible.”

Regarding the upcoming Copa America and the Argentina national team, Lisandro had this to say:

“If I’m called up to the Copa America, I’ll be very happy and if I’m called to the Olympic games, I’ll be just as happy. Representing the Argentina national team, no matter the spot, brings a lot of satisfaction.

“One has to be playing with his team, doing things well and from there showing a high level because the Argentina national team is full of good players.”

He has only played one match with Argentina and that was the 3-1 loss vs. Venezuela two years ago. He missed out on the 2019 Copa America and hasn’t featured in the World Cup qualifiers.

Argentina U23 coach Fernando Batista speaks on striker Adolfo Gaich

Roy Nemer
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1

Argentina U23 coach Fernando Batista spoke about striker Adolfo Gaich following the team’s 1-0 win vs. Japan.

It was Gaich who scored the only goal of the match, the winner in Argentina’s first of two friendly matches vs. Japan on Friday. He has been in great form this week as he not only scored for the national team but for his club Benevento in their 1-0 win vs. Juventus last week.

Gaich has been the breakout star for the U20 and U23 team, making a name for himself at the U20 World Cup and especially in the Sudamericana, where he helped Argentina qualify for this year’s Olympic games.

Fernando Batista called up the 22 year old for the two games this week as the team prepares for the Olympics and Gaich didn’t disappoint. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports, here’s what coach Batista had to say:

“Hopefully he continues down this path because he’s a great kid and he deserves it. In addition, he’s in good form, he always wants to do better. Everytime we call him up to the team, he comes here with a lot of desire, he has a magnet with the Argentina national team.”

The team will play their second match vs. Japan on Monday.

Adolfo Gaich scores only goal as Argentina U23 win 1-0 vs. Japan

Roy Nemer
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54

Adolfo Gaich scored the only goal of the match as the Argentina U23 team got the 1-0 win vs. Japan.

In the first of two friendly matches vs. Japan, Fernando Batista’s men would draw first blood. As both teams begin preparation for the Olympic games in Tokyo, it was an Adolfo Gaich goal that would be the difference.

A cross by Valenzuela in midfield found Vargas who would run towards goal and cross the ball into the penalty area. His cross would find Gaich as the Argentine would score, with the ball bouncing off of the crossbar and in to give his team the 1-0 lead.

Here was the starting eleven:

Jeremias Ledesma, Hernan De La Fuente, Nehuen Perez, Nazareno Colombo, Milton Valenzuela, Santiago Ascacibar, Santaigo Colombatto, Fernando Valenzuela, Matias Vargas, Agustin Urzi, Adolfo Gaich

Prior to the match, the Argentina team all wore a number 10 shirt in honor of the late great Diego Maradona who passed away in November. In addition, they played in the new Argentina shirt which was released by Adidas a few days ago.

The team play their second friendly match vs. Japan on Monday.

Rumored Argentina U23 team for first friendly vs. Japan

Roy Nemer
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18

Argentina U23 coach Fernando Batista has apparently an eleven in mind for the first friendly match vs. Japan.

Preparation for the Olympic games are under way with a friendly match against host nation Japan. Per a report by TyC Sports, Argentina U23 coach Fernando Batista will reportedly field the following eleven:

Jeremías Ledesma; Hernán De la Fuente, Nehuen Pérez, Nazareno Colombo, Milton Valenzuela; Santiago Ascacibar, Santiago Colombatto; Fernando Valenzuela, Matías Vargas, Agustín Urzi; Adolfo Gaich.

The match is at 7:00am in Buenos Aires which is 8:00am Eastern (New York time) and 5:00am Pacific in Los Angeles.

Argentina U23 team land in Japan ahead of Japan friendly matches

Roy Nemer
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25

The Argentina U23 national team has landed in Japan ahead of their two friendly matches vs. Japan.

A total of 11 players from the local league in Argentine along with the coaching staff made the flight over to Qatar on Sunday. The rest of the squad, who are based in Europe, joined them in the Emirates before all of them arrived in Japan.

Argentina U23 national team coach Fernando Batista called up a total of 21 players to the squad. While the likes of Adolfo Gaich, who scored on the weekend vs. Juventus has made the team, Alexis Mac Allister of Brighton was unable to join due to the current COVID travel restrictions not only in Europe but also in the United Kingdom.

Both matches during the international break will be vs. Japan. The first on Friday, March 26 and the second on March 29. Here are the players that have been called to the team:

Goalkeepers:
Jeremías Ledesma (Cádiz)
Joaquín Blázquez (Talleres);

Defenders:
Hernán de la Fuente (Vélez)
Kevin Mac Allister (Argentinos Juniors)
Nehuén Pérez (Granada)
Nazareno Colombo (Estudiantes)
Milton Valenzuela (Colombus Crew)
Alexandro Bernabéi (Lanús)
Tomás Lecanda (River)
Bruno Amione (Hellas Verona)

Midfielders:
Santiago Ascacibar (Hertha)
Santiago Colombatto (León)
Lucas González (Independiente)
Juan Brunetta (Parma)
Santiago Hezze (Huracán)

Forwards:
Fernando Valenzuela (Famalicao)
Agustín Urzi (Banfield)
Matías Vargas (Espanyol)
Adolfo Gaich (Benevento)
Enzo Cabrera (Newell’s)
Benjamín Rollheiser (River)

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