The new year meets more work for Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI who will be travelling to Europe.
A new trip to Europe for SAMPAOLI is on the cards as preparation continues for the FIFA World Cup this summer. SAMPAOLI will be travelling to the old world with Sebastian BECCACECE and Jorge DESIO (part of his staff).
Four countries, 10 cities for Jorge SAMPAOLI
Four countries, 10 cities for the Argentinian coach as he’ll be traveling to Spain, England, Italy and France. The cities? Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Turin, Milan, Roma and Paris to meet Argentinian players to discuss upcoming friendly matches and the FIFA World Cup.
It’s being rumored that Juventus striker Gonzalo HIGUAIN is expected to receive the green light from the coach for the upcoming friendly matches in March.
Paulo DYBALA, Gio SIMEONE and Alejandro GOMEZ all scored in Serie A this week.
DYBALA’s ending 2017 in style. Lots has been said about the jewel’s recent form. He had not been a regular starter recently for Juventus which has sparked transfer rumors but a start on Saturday saw the old Paulo DYBALA return to form.
With the score at 1-1, Paulito scored a brace for the Old Lady in their 3-1 win against Verona. The win keeps Juventus in second place at 47 points, only one point behind Napoli who at 48, top the league. DYBALA’s first goal came from inside the area after a low cross was played in and an off balance DYBALA scores with his weaker, right foot.
The second goal was pure magic by the Argentinian. A fantastic dribbling run right through the Verona back line and another goal with his right foot put the ball past the goalkeeper.
Juventus coach Massimiliano ALLEGRI on DYBALA:
“DYBALA? It was important for him to score again and after that first goal, he seemed much more relaxed. When MESSI and RONALDO get older, it will be NEYMAR and DYBALA who will be the best players in the world. He has a whole lot of football ahead of him and I know that he can keep improving.”
Another young Argentinian striker scored as Gio SIMEONE was on the scoresheet for the sixth time this season as Fiorentina drew 1-1 against AC Milan.
Argentinian international Alejandro “Papu” GOMEZ will try to continue to impress coach Jorge SAMPAOLI to try and secure a spot at the World Cup. His performances last season got GOMEZ into the team and maybe the goal he scored for Atalanta in their 2-1 loss to Cagliari will help.
Pablo AIMAR spoke about Juan Roman RIQUELME and Lionel MESSI, calling them animals.
The Valencia legend played with (and against) the world’s best players. Having played for the biggest teams in some of the biggest footballing countries, the current coach of the Argentina youth team, gave his opinion on a few subjects. Speaking in an interview with La Nacion, AIMAR had this to say:
Which players fascinated you on the pitch?
“ZIDANE, RONALDO the Brazilian, Roman (RIQUELME) is an animal, MESSI is an animal, AYALA was a beast, with ORTEGA I loved playing, with Marcelo (GALLARDO) as well. But I would see SAVIOLA’s shirt in front of me and it would give me more of a desire to play. We played on the same team, spent 3 years at River, 3 years in Lison (at Benfica) and a few times with the National Team. I’d go with more enthusiasm because I would think that this guy sees the same thing as I do and it’s likely that we’ll play well on that day.”
Were you the player you dreamed of being?
“No, no. I would have liked to have won five Balon d’Ors.”
What kind of player were you?
“I don’t know how I would categorize myself. What I can say, being humble about it, is that I enjoyed my team mates’ admiration, a lot of them having played with incredible players. And when they’re asked, they mention me.”
Pablo AIMAR on Marcelo BIELSA:
“He’s one of the best coaches (he had in his career). BIELSA marked a lot of coaches in his way of coaching and living football. He’s someone different. He makes his players better.”
Pablo AIMAR on Jose PEKERMAN:
“Jose is synonymous with tranquility. He transmitted that and a lot of security. He’ll tell you that today this will hapen and it would. And at 15, 16 or 20 years of age, to have someone give you those guaranteed was fantastic.”
Pablo AIMAR and Juan Roman RIQUELME linking up for a goal:
UD Las Palmas have just completed the signing of 33-year-old Argentine midfielder Gabriel PENALBA from Mexican side Cruz Azul. He was unveiled by the club’s sporting director, Toni CRUZ.
PENALBA will link up with coach Paco JEMEZ whom he played for during their time together in Mexico. He is expected to play a crucial role in helping the club to lift itself out from the bottom of the Spanish league. He will be the fourth Argentine in the La Union Deportiva squad; Jonathan CALLERI, Hernan TOLEDO and Leandro CHICHIZOLA.
Manchester United’s Sergio ROMERO is being linked with River Plate.
The Argentinian giants are reportedly interested in signing the goalkeeper. Ever since Marcelo BAROVERO’s departure to Necaxa, River Plate’s goalkeeping situation has not been too stable. Both Augusto BATALLA and German LUX have made some mistakes which has reportedly made coach Marcelo GALLARDO look for a replacement in between the sticks.
It was announced on Fox Sports Argentina that River Plate are looking into signing ROMERO from Manchester United. It appears as though ROMERO is constantly being linked to a move in every transfer window but with Manchester United recently knocked out of the league cup, matches for the club’s number two goalkeeper will be hard to come by with David DE GEA far and ahead as the number 1 starter for Jose MOURINHO.
With the World Cup in June, it could be possible for ROMERO to make a move in an attempt to get regular playing time.
