Report: Paulo DYBALA won’t be included in Argentina’s squad for March friendlies

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February 26, 2018

As the 2018 FIFA World Cup inches closer, Argentina manager Jorge SAMPAOLI must figure out which players work well together in order to come up with a final roster of 23 to take to Russia. One of Argentina’s stars in world football, Paulo DYBALA, could be in a bit of danger in terms of being present for the summer tournament. TyC Sports reporter Martin Arevalo, who is usually spot-on with his information, reported today that DYBALA will not be a part of Argentina’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Italy and Spain.

Cuenta Martín Arevalo que Dybala no ira a la gira de la Selección por Europa pic.twitter.com/dEZnxWyREi

— Superfútbol (@superfutbol) February 26, 2018

This can be taken in a variety of ways. The alarmists will likely assume DYBALA has lost his place in the team, and they will point to the friction caused after his comments about not being able to play alongside Leo MESSI. The level-headed fans will point to his recent form and the recent injury that he had been dealing with for the past month before returning a week ago.

His absence in the upcoming friendlies in no way eliminates his chances of being at the World Cup. DYBALA is still one of the most talented players in the world. While DYBALA and Argentina fans shouldn’t necessarily freak out, this is at least a slight cause for concern. DYBALA was expected to be the next big thing for the Argentina national team, but that hasn’t happened to this point.

This might be a blow to that dream, but DYBALA’s talent should shine through in the end. Argentina will need DYBALA to play a big role this summer if they want to lift the trophy. But he will need to get in form and make a good impression on SAMPAOLI when given the chance before June arrives.

Nicolas GAITAN off to Dalian YiFang in China

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Roy Nemer

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February 25, 2018

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Nicolas GAITAN is off to join Dalian YiFang in China.

The Chinese transfer market hasn’t closed yet and Nicolas GAITAN of Atletico Madrid is the latest Argentine to make the trip to the Super League. Per Cesar Luis MERLO, the former Benfica man will be flying to China in the next few hours to complete a medical where he’ll sign a 3 year deal with the club. With Augusto FERNANDEZ and Javier MASCHERANO having already left to China in this transfer market, the Argentine international makes it a hattrick of Albiceleste players having left Spain for the Chinese Super League. The amount of the transfer remains unknown.

Now 30, GAITAN’s last match for the Argentina National Team came in a 2-2 draw against Venezuela in a South American World Cup Qualifier back in September 2016.

Sergio AGUERO scores in Man City Carabao Cup victory

By

Roy Nemer

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February 25, 2018

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Sergio Aguero Carabao Cup Manchester City

Sergio AGUERO scored in the Carabao Cup final as Manchester City defeated Arsenal 3-0 to lift the trophy.

Wembley stadium is hallowed ground in football and Sergio AGUERO has now joined other legendary names to have scored in a cup final at the legendary stadium. A wonderfuly lobbed ball over the Colombian OSPINA saw AGUERO open the scoring.

5 – Sergio Aguero has scored in each of his last five games in all competitions against Arsenal; against no other side has he netted in more successive appearances for Manchester City. Banker. pic.twitter.com/K1rxn7Gw0I

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 25, 2018

Pep GUARDIOLA’s men added two more through captain Vincent KOMPANY and club legend David SILVA.

This was AGUERO’s first goal in a final in some time.

Olympics gold medal match 2008 – no goal
Europa League 2010 – no goal
FA Cup 2013 – no goal
League Cup 2014 – no goal
World Cup 2014 – no goal
Copa America 2015 – no goal
League Cup 2016 – no goal
Copa America 2016 – no goal

The gap in Sergio Aguero’s goalscoring: Cup finals.

Olympics gold medal match 2008 – no goal
Europa League 2010 – no goal
FA Cup 2013 – no goal
League Cup 2014 – no goal
World Cup 2014 – no goal
Copa America 2015 – no goal
League Cup 2016 – no goal
Copa America 2016 – no goal

— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) February 23, 2018

Never the less, a fantastic match from AGUERO as well as Nicolas OTAMENDI’s who’s performances this season are among the best of his career. AGUERO wasn’t the only Argentinian to score a ridiculous goal as his close friend Lionel MESSI had a pair of his own on Saturday against Girona.

Congratulations to the two Albiceleste boys!

Sergio AGUERO scores in Carabao Cup final

Brilliant lob over Ospina and Sergio Aguero gives Man City the lead against Arsenal. #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/Kby4fzWwiS

— Footie Gifs (@FootieUTgif) February 25, 2018

Lionel MESSI 5 star performance in Barcelona win

By

Roy Nemer

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February 24, 2018

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Lionel Messi 5 star performance Barcelona

A Lionel MESSI 5 star performance stole the show for FC Barcelona in their.

Two goals, one assist and a chance created for the Barcelona captain and all of them wonderful. After Girona had taken a shock lead minutes into the match, Luis SUAREZ responded following a lovely through ball pass from MESSI. The second goal for the league leaders came from MESSI after he dribble across a handful of Girona players before slotting the ball into the back of the net.

The third goal, which was MESSI’s second, was the goal of the night. With a free kick around the edge of the area, the wall jumped and MESSI slid the ball under the wall and into the net to make it 3-1 with a ridiculous trick shot. It wasn’t the first time Leo had scored that type of free kick as the first time he pulled it off was for Argentina back in 2012 in a World Cup Qualifying match against Uruguay.

Goal number four came once more from the Uruguayan. A lovely dribble by MESSI as he slid in COUTINHO who passed it across to SUAREZ who had an open net.

MESSI has now scored 36 free kick goals in his career, 30 of them for Barcelona and 6 of them coming for Argentina.

Lionel MESSI 5 star performance

Messi’s freekick from 5 different angles. pic.twitter.com/iVwOFAaRT2

— Fiaz Hamzath (@fiazhamzath) February 24, 2018

Maxi MEZA on Argentina radar, Italy announce squad

By

Roy Nemer

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February 24, 2018

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Maxi MEZA of Independiente is currently on Jorge SAMPAOLI’s radar while Italy have announced their squad to face Argentina.

With the March friendly matches fast approaching, the anticipation for the squad lis is growing. Per a tweet by CLMerlo, Maximiliano MEZA of Independiente will likely make the squads for the matches against Italy and Spain. An attacking midfielder, MEZA could join the growing list of domestic based players who are getting a chance under SAMPAOLI.

From BENEDETTO to Maxi MEZA

From Dario BENEDETTO to Cristian PAVON to Maxi MEZA, it’ll be interesting to see how many of them (BENEDETTO excluded) not only make the squad for next month but the final squad for the FIFA World Cup.

The Italians have announced their squad to face Argentina next month. Luigi DI BIAGIO replaces Gian PIERO VENTURA announced his list for the match to face Argentina in Manchester, England. DI BIAGIO is currently the Italy U21 coach. Here’s the squad:

Goalkeepers:

Simone SCUFFET (Udinese)
Alex MERET (Spal)

Defenders:

Alessandro BASTONI (Atalanta)
Cristiano BIRAGHI (Fiorentina)
Antonio BARRECA (Torino)
Davide BIRSACHI (Genoa)
Kevin BONIFAZI (Torino)
Federico CECCHERINI (Crotone)
Gian MARCO FERRARI (Sampdoria)
Lorenzo VENUTI (Benevento)
Francesco ZAMPANO (Udinese)

Midfielders:

Daniele BASELLI (Torino)
Barco BENASSI (Fiorentina)
Danilo CATALDI (Benevento)
Alberto GRASSI (Spal)
Rolando MANDRAGORA (Crotone)
Lorenzo PELLEGRINI (AS Roma)

Forwards:

Domenico BERARDI (Sassuolo)
Gianluca CAPRARI (Sampdoria)
Federico CHIESA (Fiorentina)
Federico DI FRANCESCO (Bologna)
Roberto INGLESE (Chievo Verona)
Andrea PINAMONTI (Inter)
Matteo POLITANO (sassuolo)