Angel DI MARIA continued his fine form for PSG as he scored in their 4-0 win against Saint-Etienne.
There’s no catching up to PSG in Ligue 1 as the current champions and league leaders made it five wins out of five to start the season. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United man netted the third goal for PSG, a lovely shot from the goalkeeper’s right side.
As we reported a few days ago, there are rumors that DI MARIA, along with a few other players, would get called back to the Argentina team.
Former Argentina man Javier SAVIOLA spoke about Lionel MESSI, coach Lionel SCALONI and how he would join his coaching staff without hesitation.
A team mate of Lionel SCALONI with the Argentina National Team, SAVIOLA was full of praise and stated that the change going on is the best thing for the team. Here’s what he had to say on the topic of Lionel MESSI:
“The best thing is to give him time and for him to come back when he has the proper strength to face other objectives. They have to form a team for him to be able to integrate into.”
On the changes going on with the Argentina team and Lionel SCALONI:
“Change is the best thing that could happen to the Argentina National Team along with the arrival of young people like SCALONI, AIMAR and SAMUEL.
“I did the (coaching) course with SCALONI in Madrid and it made me realize how much he knows about football. If they get good results, it will be difficult to remove them as coaching staff of the Argentina team.
“If they call me to join the coaching group, I’d go tomorrow. I wouldn’t even think about it.”
River Plate’s Franco ARMANI may have cemented a spot with the Argentina National Team during his country’s friendly match against Colombia.
During only his third cap for Argentina, ARMANI wore the captain’s armband following Nicolas TAGLIAFICO’s substitution. The veteran shot stopper pulled off some fine saves against Colombia and while at the airport getting ready to leave New York, ARMANI spoke to the media. Here’s what he had to say:
“Personally, I am happy and for the group as well for the two matches which we had. The balance is positive. My team mates gave it their all. Each of them wants to be there (with the Argentina National Team) and took their chances. There’s more enthusiasm.”
It truly was a star studded team put together by Marcelo BIELSA when they thrashed Chile 4-1 at El Monumental on March 29, 2000 to pick up a 4-1 win in the 2002 World Cup Qualifiers.
Before even going into the details of the match, here was the joke of an eleven which started for Argentina:
Roberto BONANO
Roberto AYALA
Mauricio POCHETTINO
Walter SAMUEL
Diego SIMEONE
Javier ZANETTI
Cristian GONZALO
Juan Sebastian VERON
Ariel ORTEGA
Gabriel BATISTUTA
Claudio LOPEZ
The match was under way and the first opportunity fell to Argentina who were awarded a free kick. It was taken by the great Gabriel BATISTUTA as he curved the ball around the Chilean wall gave Argentina the 1-0 lead. Argentina had some goal scoring chances with Juan Sebastian VERON and Ariel ORTEGA coming close to doubling Argentina’s lead. Chile eventually drew level following a great free kick of their own.
Some lovely work near the edge of the area by Inter captain Javier ZANETTI lead to a scramble in the penalty area and Juan Sebastian VERON scored from outside of the area to give Argentina the lead once more.
In the second half, Ariel ORTEGA was brought down in the penalty area and Argentina were awarded a penalty. Up stepped number 11 VERON and he made no mistake dispatching it and Argentina were up 3-1 in the match.
Claudio LOPEZ made it 4-1 as he received the ball in the area, controlled it well and flicked it down and into the net.
