Paulo DYBALA and Mauro ICARDI were both in Lionel SCALONI’s eleven from training.
Following the team’s 3-0 win against Guatemala, they flew out to New Jersey for the match on Tuesday versus Colombia. Coach Lionel SCALONI tried out an eleven in training with a team which consisted of Paulo DYBALA and Mauro ICARDI. Here’s the team from training:
ARMANI; BUSTOS, PEZZELLA, FUNES MORI, ACUNA; BATTAGLIA, PAREDES; MEZA, DYBALA, CERVI; ICARDI
Several of the Argentina players spoke about the team’s 3-0 win against Guatemala.
Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI as well as goal scorers Giovani LO CELSO and Giovanni SIMEONE all spoke about the win. Captain Nicolas TAGLIAFICO also commented on wearing the armband. Here’s what coach Lionel SCALONI had to say:
“I believe we completed the objective, especially in the first half. Hopefully this guys will be the future of the Argentina National Team.
“We did what we wanted in the first half. I leave very satisfied, we were very intense in the match.
“They understood very well what it is to play with this shirt. We are very happy that a lot of these guys were able to play for the first time for the National Team.
“We will surely make changes for the second match.
“I think Renzo SARAVIA is a very intersting player. Today he showed what he can bring. He had a great match.”
Captain Nicolas TAGLIAFICO spoke like a real leader, saying that the team must be united:
“It’s good to be united, even off the pitch. We want to build a team for the future. We have to fix a lot of things, we are just in the beginning. I believe it was positive.
“It’s very beautiful to wear the Argentina shirt and wearing the captain’s armband is something unique.”
Giovanni SIMEONE, who scored on his Argentina National Team debut said this:
“I’m very happy. I have great team mates that gave everything to win. Beyond the opponent, there was a lot of anxiety to see this new Argentina. In the first half, we did everything we had to do.
“As a kid, my dad would always tell me that one day I would be here. I believe this is the road to follow.”
Givoani LO CELSO, who scored the goal of the night commented on the match:
“I’m very happy for the match the team played. We tried to do what the coach asked of us. We know the responsibility which comes with wearing this shirt. It’s important to start off on the right foot. Now we play Colombia, a big National Team.”
A 3-0 win for Lionel SCALONI’s Argentina against Guatemala saw many players impressing.
The first half saw a quick and a very pressing Argentina side. Giovanni SIMEONE had the first real opportunity of the match. The ball fell to SIMEONE but the Fiorentina man’s header went over the bar. Minutes later, a free kick by Leandro PAREDES found Ramiro FUNES MORI as he was left unmarked but his header went wide of the goal.
Argentina’s first goal came off a penalty kick which was excellently dispatched by Gonzalo MARTINEZ. That opened the floodgates for more goals.
Giovani LO CELSO made it 2-0 with a half volley from the edge of the penalty area. That goal was his debut goal for his country and one of the better goals you’ll see this season.
Another player had a debut goal with Giovanni SIMEONE making it 3-0 right before the break. A lovely dribble inside the area and his shot beat the goalkeeper.
#NuevoDesafío Así fue el remate de Gonzalo Martínez para el 1-0. pic.twitter.com/ZvbfbMmdzU
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) September 8, 2018
#NuevoDesafío Mirá el zurdazo de @LoCelsoGiovani para el 2-0 albiceleste. pic.twitter.com/NlktyzlclP
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) September 8, 2018
#NuevoDesafío De esta manera anotó @simeonegiovanni el 3-0 parcial en el final del primer tiempo. pic.twitter.com/zOsJwgUXdS
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) September 8, 2018
The second half did not bring any goals.
The Argentina starting eleven for the match against Guatemala has been confirmed.
As we reported earlier in the day, Nicolas TAGLIAFICO will captain the team with Geronimo RULLI as the goalkeeper. Here’s the starting eleven:
RULLI; SARAVIA, PEZZELLA, FUNES MORI, TAGLIAFICO; LO CELSO, PAREDES, PALACIOS; PAVON, SIMEONE, MARTINEZ
No one in the team will wear the number 10 shirt for the two matches this month.
Interim Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI held a press conference on Thursday night ahead Argentina’s friendly match on Thursday.
This will be SCALONI’s first match in charge of the senior side after having just won the U20 COTIF tournament. Speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles, here’s what SCALONI had to say:
“We based our call-ups on what we believe was best at the moment. We try to bring the best. Today, football is easy for no one. We come with new players and two days of training. Surely the match will be difficult.
“It’s a new stage. There’s an interim coach and all the players want to show their talent to stay. It depends on them. For them, it’s an important moment because after a World Cup comes a new stage and everyone wants to be included.”
Lionel SCALONI spoke about the players and who will be the captain of the team.
“The captain will be ROMERO but he’s not in the best shape to play. Therefore the armband will go to Nicolas TAGLIAFICO.”
SCALONI also spoke about the players and how he is only the interim Argentina coach.
“There are players we believe will have a great future. They just have to show it. Hopefully those who make their debut will be able to put on the shirt and not have to take it off until they retire.
“For me, it’s a great dream and responsibility to be in this position. Everyone knows that I am the interim coach. I have no doubts about it. It’s clear that we have something important with the U20 team in January.”
