Javier PASTORE’s agent is in Milan as the midfielder looks set to leave Paris.
The Argentinian midfielder’s agent is presently in Milan (per Olivier TALLARON of Canal+) as talks of him leaving Ligue 1 club PSG intensify. Rumored all season long to be leaving Paris to join Inter in Italy, with the transfer market well and truly under way, the midfielder could be on his way out.
From Palermo to PSG to Milan
PASTORE looks adament in wanting a moving back to Italy, the country where he first began his European club career when he joined Palermo back in 2009. Now 28 years old, PASTORE will be trying to book a ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup with Argentina after having been included in the 2010 squad by Diego MARADONA but missed out on 2014 when Alejandro SABELLA’s men made the final of the tournament.
Since joining PSG, the midfielder has amassed over 250 caps for the club winning 15 trophies, four of them being league titles.
Argentina’s Angel DI MARIA gave an interview with SC.QA and spoke about a few topics.
While on a recent winter training camp in Doha, Qatar, the Argentinian spoke with www.sc.qa about the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Lionel MESSI. Regarding the 2022 World Cup which will be held in Qatar, the PSG man had this to say:
“It will be a very important World Cup. The stadiums are very impressive and I know the tournament will be a big boost for the Arab world. I have been to Doha a few times, and every time, I have been received very well, both on a personal level and with the team.”
Regarding Qatar’s plans to have a “compact” World Cup with less travelling, DI MARIA, now a veteran of two World Cup’s, gave his thoughts on it:
“I have played in World Cups in countries which are very big and having to take long journeys is difficult and complicated for the team. It is very important to have a compact World Cup, as it will be a lot more comfortable for the players.”
Argentina’s already tasted glory in Qatar, having won the 1995 U20 World Cup with coach Jose PEKERMAN and Juan Pablo SORIN on the team.
“I hope we can repeat the success of 1995. We have the World Cup coming up this year, which we can aim to win, and if we win in Russia, hopefully we can win in Qatar as well.”
Juan Pablo Sorin lifting the U20 World Cup in Qatar in 1995. Photo via Gulf-Times.
Regarding the 2018 FIFA World Cup:
“Argentina is always one of the favourites, first of all because we have Lionel MESSI. There are other teams playing at a high level, like Spain and France, but Argentina is among the best. We have to keep working hard to remain at the top level. World Cup tournaments are always different to the qualifying rounds. If you don’t win, you go home, and that makes the games very special.”
DI MARIA also praised Lionel MESSI, calling him the best player in history.
“MESSI is already the greatest. Winning the World Cup would validate him, but he is already the best. Hopefully, football will give Messi this World Cup – it would be good for everyone. MESSI has achieved everything in his career – the only thing missing is a World Cup. Obviously, as an Argentine and a team-mate of his, I would love for it to happen in Russia.”
An Angel DI MARIA double for PSG in their 8-0 thrashing of Dijon.
It hasn’t been a bad month for Angel DI MARIA. After scoring twice in PSG’s French Cup match against Rennes and the winning goal against Nantes on Sunday, the Argentina man added two more to his name with both goals coming in style.
The former Real Madrid man scored the opening two goals in the match. The first coming from outside the area with a left footed shot floated into the top corner four minutes into the match. The assist? A fellow Argentinian, Giovani LO CELSO.
PSG’s second goal was a thing of art. LO CELSO started it and played a big role in the build up. He won the ball back and passed it to CAVANI who then decided to pass to LO CELSO but the Argentinian let it run through his legs as it got to NEYMAR. The Brazilian shot it and while it looked like it was going in (or out, depending on the angle) DI MARIA got there at the last second to tap it in.
Joaquin CORREA scored for Sevilla in their 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid.
The quarter finals first leg of the Spanish Copa del Rey was underway on Wednesday with Diego SIMEONE’s Atletico Madrid hosting Sevilla. The hosts took the lead through Diego COSTA but 7 minutes later Jesus NAVAS equalised for the visitors.
Two minutes from time Joaquin CORREA scored the winning goal for his club. CORREA beat the Serbian Stefan SAVIC for the ball into the area as he put it passed the goalkeeper to secure the win.
Joaquin CORREA stats for Sevilla vs. Atletico Madrid including heat map
Shots (on target): 3 (3)
Duels (won): 10 (6)
Was fouled: 2
Tackles: 3
Joaquin Correa’s heat map for Sevilla vs. Atletico Madrid. Picture via Footy Scouted
CORREA has been in Jorge SAMPAOLI’s plans in the past, having featured as recently as the team’s World Cup Qualifying match against Uruguay in Montevideo. It remains to be seen if he will be called-up for Argentina’s upcoming matches in March.
Hey guys, the latest reports coming in our saying that Jorge SAMPAOLI has left to Amsterdam to meet personally with Nicolás TAGLIAFICO, a recent Ajax signing.
This wasn’t in the coach’s original plans but SAMPAOLI took it upon himself to visit the left back to most likely discuss the national team’s necesities and requirements in terms of the left back position. As we can recall, the left back was part of SAMPAOLI’S call-ups vs Brazil and Singapore. He was no longer called up after those two matches.
TAGLIAFICO still hasn’t made his official debut for Ajax, but if he manages to challenge for a starting spot on the team, SAMPAOLI will most likely consider him for the friendly matches against Italy and Spain in March.
What do you guys think? What do you guys think SAMPAOLI is thinking? Maybe as a variable to be used in various formations? I personally think TAGLIAFICO is a good option to have.
