Lionel MESSI scored for FC Barcelona in their 3-1 win against Ray Vallecano.
The Argentina and FC Barcelona captain was named in his country’s squad selection for this month’s matches and in the first match after being selected, scored and assisted. Rayo Vallecano took the lead but the Catalan club were awarded a free kick before the end of the first half. Lionel MESSI send in a lovely cross into the area and Gerard PIQUE was at the end of it and scored to draw Barcelona level.
Ernesto VALVERDE’s team would be awarded a penalty kick and up stepped MESSI. The fifth best player in the world would score to give his club the lead. The assist was number 12 of the season and the goal number 26, meaning he leads Europe’s top five leagues in goals and assists.
Sergio AGUERO spoke with ESPN about a number of topics from him not being called-up to the Argentina national team to Manchester City and much more.
When Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI announced his squad for this month’s matches, one of the names which was not on there was that of Sergio AGUERO. The Manchester City striker has been in great form since the start of the season but has not been part of the Argentina setup since the FIFA World Cup.
Talking with ESPN, the Argentine had this to say about his relationship with current coach Lionel SCALONI:
“I spoke to him for the first time at the end of August and it was a good chat. I won’t give out details of what was said but we haven’t spoken since. There are things which were said (in the media) and I don’t know where they got them from. There was never a problem, just good things. My phone is always on.”
On not being called-up and the Copa America:
“I wasn’t called up the last few times but I am calm about it, I’m focused at my club. A lot is said in Argentina. Today, I’m not selected (for the Argentina national team) and I have to respect that. On my end, I’ll always be all in with the Argentina team.
“There’s a lot left until the Copa America. I’ll always try to do things well and you never know what can happen.”
Sergio AGUERO also spoke about Lionel MESSI:
“Leo is a symbol. I know very well that he loves the Argentina national team. I’ll always be there supporting him.”
Sergio Aguero at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
On the 2018 FIFA World Cup:
“I was recovering from my knee to get to the World Cup as fast as possible. I had time to prepare… I’m calm because I know I tried my best for the Argentina national team. What happened, happened. One always wants to play but you have to respect the coach’s decision.”
On his relationship with Pep GUARDIOLA and the Premier League:
“We won the league Cup and we will try to go as far as we can in the other competitions.
“I’ve known Pep (GUARDIOLA) for some time and I know what he wants. We are good, strong. We’ve won complicated matches.
“The Premier League is not easy, it’s always decided until the very end. We won against Liverpool the match that we had to win. Now, it’s important for them to know that we’re here to give them a fight.”
On the UEFA Champions League:
“For the club and for me, it would be very nice to win a Champions League. We will try to get as close as we can.
“Weird things happened in the Champions League and we know that we have to get to the final.
“Madrid (the city) I love a lot, it’s a city where I started (his European career). It’s where Benjamin (his son) was born and we hope to get to to play the final at the Wanda stadium.”
Sergio Aguero celebrating a goal for Manchester City.
On being a goal scorer:
“The more you obsess about scoring goals, the worse it is. The goals come when you least expect them. I feel comfortable where ever I play. I’ve always played a 4-4-2 or 4-4-3 and with Pep’s arrival, the system changed. Now, I am surrounded by four team mates and I feel calm.”
Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI spoke about a number of topics regarding the national team.
During the announcement of the latest Argentina squad, the coach commented on this year’s Copa America, Lionel MESSI’s return, forming a local squad and more. Here’s what he had to say:
On the players called:
“We look to continue a bit with the majority of the players which were here before and also to see new ones which were brought to our attention and it’s obvious that they deserve an opportunity.”
On the Copa America:
“The list for the Copa America will surely have modifications because there are players that are injured. This is a provisional list. We believe that the more players we see the better. We are going to the Copa to compete like Argentina has to do. It will be difficult, I can’t sit here and say we’re going to win it.”
Lionel SCALONI talking about Lionel MESSI:
“The decision by the coaching staff was to not include Leo (MESSI) in the first matches. Now he’s back and he’s most welcomed. Leo (MESSI) is called up, after that, we will see if he will play one match or both matches. I will take that decision. I think we knew how to take advantage of MESSI at times. With him, the team got to three finals but couldn’t (win it) because of very little differences.”
SCLAONI on Argentina’s goalkeepers:
“We need to see players for the goalkeeping position. We haven’t totally decided who will play from the start for the next matches.”
On the Argentina team:
“All the players which were called are at a great level. We have to work for the future of the Argentina national team. The group we have is sacred and the player that comes in will bring his own. Argentina always has to compete and to give the best possible. But the idea doesn’t change, we always want to work for the future. Our idea is that every player knows what they have to do. We have to be flexible about our setup. With humility and hard work, we can return the Argentina national team to the level we were at.”
Lionel SCALONI on MENOTTI and a potential local Argentina team:
“With Cesar Luis MENOTTI, we would love to have a local national team. We know it’s hard but it’s a big dream. Cesar Luis MENOTTI is very important to us. He’s gonig to help us a lot. We will try to reach an agreement with the clubs to be able to work with some local players during the week.”
Defenders:
German PEZELLA (Fiorentina)
Gabriel MERCADO (Sevilla)
Juan FOYTH (Tottenham Hotspur)
Nicolas OTAMENDI (Manchester City)
Walter KANNEMANN (Gremio)
Nicolas TAGLIAFICO (Ajax)
Marcos ACUNA (Sporting Lisbon)
Gonzalo MONTIEL (River Plate)
Renzo SARAVIA (Racing Club)
Lisandro MARTINEZ (Defensa y Justicia)
Midfielders:
Leandro PAREDSE (PSG)
Guido RODRIGUEZ (Club America)
Giovani LO CELSO (Real Betis)
Manuel LANZINI (West Ham)
Roberto PEREYRA (Watford)
Angel DI MARIA (PSG)
Matias ZARACHO (Racing Club)
Ivan MARCONE (Boca Juniors)
Domingo BLANCO (Defensa y Justicia)
Rodrigo DE PAUL (Udinese)
Agustin MARCHESIN will be called-up to the Argentina team for this month’s matches against Venezuela and Morocco.
Per a report by TyC Sports, the Club America goalkeeper is expected to be one of the goalkeepers who will make the Argentina squad this month. MARCHESIN started the 2-0 win against Mexico back in November.
There are rumors that the goalkeepers which will be called up are Franco ARMANI of River Plate, Juan MUSSO of Udinese and possibly Esteban ANDRADA of Boca Juniors.
As we reported earlier, his Club America team mate Guido RODRIGUEZ will get called.
