The Argentina team trained on Saturday while three players are reportedly carrying knocks.
Lucas BIGLIA, Gabriel MERCADO and Nicolas OTAMENDI are all carrying knocks and are the only players who did not train normally, this via TyC Sports. In other increasing reports, it does appear as though Franco ARMANI will start for Argentina against Nigeria.
Just 24 hours after Argentina’s humiliating 3-0 loss to Croatia, there are already rumors of Argentina’s starting eleven for Tuesday’s match.
Following a disastrous performance against Croatia, goalkeeper Willy CABALLERO is expected to start the third group stage match on the bench with Franco ARMANI replacing him. Aside from that, it would be more changes from coach Jorge SAMPAOLI.
Here’s the rumored eleven:
ARMANI; MERCADO, OTAMENDI, FAZIO, ROJO; MASCHERANO, BIGLIA, BANEGA; MESSI, DI MARIA, AGUERO
There were some rumors that Nahuel GUZMAN would start but that was quickly replaced by Franco ARMANI.
Prior to Argentina’s 3-0 loss to Croatia, there was a storm which was brewing and the loss appears to have caused the storm to finally hit.
As we reported earlier, there have been reports that the players no longer want Jorge SAMPAOLI as the coach of the team and have asked to have Jorge BURRUCHAGA step in to manage the final group stage match versus Nigeria. It appears there’s a bit more news.
Per Hernan CASTILLO, SAMPAOLI would remain as the coach for the match on Tuesday but it would be the last match for several of the players. Marcos ROJO, Ever BANEGA, Lucas BIGLIA, Sergio AGUERO, Angel DI MARIA and Javier MASCHERANO would all retire after the FIFA World Cup. Furthermore, Gonzalo HIGUAIN and Lionel MESSI would also retire (this time for good).
Los q se van de a selección también serán Rojo Banega Biglia Agüero di maria, probablemebte Higuain, y Messi
— Hernán Castillo (@HernanSCastillo) June 22, 2018
Mascherano tbn https://t.co/xE6H0xbFss
— Hernán Castillo (@HernanSCastillo) June 22, 2018
The situation which the AFA could face is that should SAMPAOLI get fired, they would have to pay him 20 million dollars as he has multi-year contract.
This is breaking news!
Apparently there are reports that the players have gathered for a meeting and have unanimously voted for Jorge SAMPAOLI to be removed as Argentina’s head coach. There is a high possibility that he won’t be involved in the match against Nigeria.
Ahora: Reunión de jugadores en una habitación de la concentración. Piden que @SampaoliOficial no dirija ante Nigeria cuenta MP en TyC pic.twitter.com/tZhsRYLyFR
— SebasTempone (@SebasTempone) June 22, 2018
It appears Jorge BURRUCHAGA has been asked to step in as SAMPAOLI’s replacement for the match against Nigeria. El Burru as he is known, was the player that scored Argentina’s winning goal in the 1986 World Cup final against Germany.
Though we do not have any official confirmation on this, be sure that we’ll post any updates on this matter… stay tuned!
Following Argentina’s humiliating 3-0 loss to Croatia, coach Jorge SAMPAOLI spoke at a press conference stating that the loss was his fault but Sergio AGUERO stole the headlines taking a stab at SAMPAOLI.
When asked about coach Jorge SAMPAOLI’s comments about the players, Sergio AGUERO’s reply was less than friendly.
When asked about Sampaoli's quote of the players failing to adapt to the game plan, Agüero has just said in the mixed zone: "Let him say what he wants". CALM ATMOSPHERE, ARGENTINA…
— Martin Mazur (@martinmazur) June 21, 2018
Jorge SAMPAOLI faced the press himself in a press conference. Here’s what he had to say:
“The responsibility is mine. I’m responsible for the loss. I did not read the game well. We have not found the best team to accompany MESSI. Because of the reality of the Argentina squad, it sort of clouds Leo’s brilliance. Leo is limited because the team doesn’t gel with him as ideally as it should.
“I’m very sorry to all the Argentina fans who made the effort to come to Russia. I was excited just as much as the fans. I tried my best to form a team.
In regards to Croatia’s first goal:
“We were emotionally broken and we didn’t have any football arguments to change the course of events.”
When asked about Cristiano Ronaldo:
“Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player and he’s playing well with his team. He’s having some great moments. However, you can’t compare. Ronaldo has the team to help him. Lionel MESSI doesn’t. I take full responsibility for this.”
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