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Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI: “I’m very excited”

Following the announcement of Argentina’s 23 man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, coach Jorge SAMPAOLI spoke during a press conference.

The Argentina coach stated that he feels comfortable with the goalkeepers, the reason why he included Cristian ANSALDI and much more. Here’s what he had to say:

“We’ve decided on these names after a lot of analysis in every position. Cristian Ansaldi can play on either side. Meza gives you options either on the outside or on the inside of the pitch.”

Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI on Lionel MESSI, Sergio AGUERO and more.

“I spoke with Messi and I saw him as very enthusiastic for what’s coming up. Physically, he’s doing well. Sergio Aguero has been training normally since last week. Mercado won’t have any problems. We will see how Biglia arrives. What I saw in the past week of training is that we needed one more fullback.”

Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI on the three goalkeepers.

“We haven’t had Franco ARMANI yet (on the team) but we know his form. We have a lot of faith in Sergio ROMERO. Willy CABALLERO for us is a goalkeeper which also gives us confidence.”

Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI on the players.

“We’re going to have a main system of attack (when in possession of the ball) which will be 2-3-3-2. I’m very excited to count on this players and every time I see them train, the dream just gets bigger. We will be very competitive at the World Cup.

“We will have to be good because my idea is to have an Argentina which plays and takes advantage of the characteristics of the players called-up. There are young players with a lot of potential.

“The World Cup has to be faced without fear, leaving an imprint. One understands that the players have CHARACTERISTICS which serve us. With time and the desire to play, it’ll just get better. I have a lot of hope and every time I see them train, the dream gets bigger.”

Argentina list of 23 for 2018 FIFA World Cup squad announced

The AFA have released Argentina’s 23 man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

As predicted and reported, no room for Inter man Mauro ICARDI but Paulo DYBALA of Juventus makes the team. Here’s the entire 23 who made Jorge SAMPAOLI’s team.

Argentina's 2018 FIFA World Cup team
Argentina’s 2018 FIFA World Cup team
Sergio Romero Argentina
Sergio Romero

 Sergio ROMERO, goalkeeper

Previous FIFA World Cups: 2010, 2014
World Cup Matches: 12
World Cup Clean Sheets: 6
Argentina Caps: 93
Argentina Goals: 0

 

Willy Caballero Argentina
Wilfredo Caballero

Wilfredo CABALLERO, goalkeeper

Previous FIFA World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Clean Sheets: 0
Argentina Caps: 2
Argentina Goals: 0

 

Franco Armani River Plate
Franco Armani

Franco ARMANI, goalkeeper

Previous FIFA World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Clean Sheets: 0
Argentina Caps: 0
Argentina Goals: 0

 

 

Gabriel Mercado Argentina
Gabriel Mercado

Gabriel MERCADO, defender

Previous FIFA World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 23
Argentina Goals: 3

 

Federico Fazio Argentina
Federico Fazio

Federico FAZIO, defender

Previous FIFA World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 7
Argentina Goals: 1

 

Nicolas Otamendi Argentina
Nicolás Otamendi

Nicolás OTAMENDI, defender

Previous World Cups: 2010
World Cup Matches: 3
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 53
Argentina Goals: 4

 

Cristian Ansaldi

Cristian ANSALDI, defender

Previous World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 5
Argentina Goals: 1

 

Nicolas Tagliafico Argentina
Nicolás Tagliafico

Nicolás TAGLIAFICO, defender

Previous World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 3
Argentina Goals: 0

 

Marcos Rojo Argentina
Marcos Rojo

Marcos ROJO, defender

Previous World Cups: 2014
World Cup Matches: 6
World Cup Goals: 1
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 55
Argentina Goals: 2

 

Marcos Acuna Argentina
Marcos Acuña

Marcos ACUÑA, defender

Previous World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 9
Argentina Goals: 0

 

Javier Mascherano Argentina
Javier Mascherano

Javier MASCHERANO, midfielder

Previous World Cups: 2006, 2010, 2014
World Cup Matches: 16
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 142
Argentina Goals: 3

 

Ever Banega Argentina
Éver Banega

Éver BANEGA, midfielder

Previous World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 57
Argentina Goals: 7

 

Eduardo Salvio Argentina
Eduardo Salvio

Eduardo SALVIO, midfielder

Previous World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 8
Argentina Goals: 0

 

Lucas Biglia Argentina
Lucas Biglia

Lucas BIGLIA, midfielder

Previous World Cups: 2014
World Cup Matches: 7
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 57
Argentina Goals: 1

 

Ángel Di María Argentina
Ángel Di María

Ángel DI MARÍA, midfielder

Previous World Cups: 2010, 2014
World Cup Matches: 10
World Cup Goals: 1
World Cup Assists: 2
Argentina Caps: 93
Argentina Goals: 19

 

Giovani Lo Celso Argentina
Giovani Lo Celso

Giovani LO CELSO, midfielder

Previous World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 4
Argentina Goals: 0

 

Manuel Lanzini Argentina
Manuel Lanzini

Manuel LANZINI, midfielder

Previous World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 3
Argentina Goals: 1

 

Maxi Meza Argentina
Maxi Meza

Maximiliano MEZA, midfielder

Previous World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 1
Argentina Goals: 0

 

Cristian Pavon Argentina
Cristian Pavón

Cristian PAVÓN, midfielder

Previous World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 4
Argentina Goals: 0

 

Lionel Messi Argentina
Lionel Messi

Lionel MESSI, forward

Previous World Cups: 2006, 2010, 2014
World Cup Matches: 15
World Cup Goals: 5
World Cup Assists: 7
Argentina Caps: 123
Argentina Goals: 61

 

Sergio Aguero Argentina
Sergio Agüero

Sergio AGÜERO, forward

Previous World Cups: 2010, 2014
World Cup Matches: 8
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 1
Argentina Caps: 83
Argentina Goals: 36

 

Gonzalo Higuain Argentina
Gonzalo Higuaín

Gonzalo HIGUAÍN, forward

Previous World Cups: 2010, 2014
World Cup Matches: 11
World Cup Goals: 5
World Cup Assists: 1
Argentina Caps: 71
Argentina Goals: 32

 

Paulo Dybala Argentina
Paulo Dybala

Paulo DYBALA, forward

Previous World Cups: None
World Cup Matches: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
World Cup Assists: 0
Argentina Caps: 12
Argentina Goals: 0

 

Two players who were part of Alejandro SABELLA’s preliminary list of 30 for the 2014 World Cup but were cut out of the final 23 made the 2018 World Cup squad. Those two being Gabriel MERCADO and Nicolas OTAMENDI. Here were the cuts in 2014 and in 2010.

2014:
Lisandro LOPEZ
Gabriel MERCADO
Fabian RINAUDO
Franco DI SANTO
Nicolas OTAMENDI
Jose SOSA
Ever BANEGA

2010:
Fabricio COLOCCINI (made the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad)
Juan Manuel INSAURRALDE
Sebastian BLANCO
Jesus DATOLO
Juan MERCIER
Jose SOSA
Ezequiel LAVEZZI (made the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad)

Congratulations to everyone that made it and best of luck in bringing home the trophy!

Wanda ICARDI (Mauro’s wife and agent) trolls Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI?

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Mauro ICARDI (based on our prediction) knows that he won’t be going to Russia but that didn’t seem to stop his wife and agent Wanda from taking the piss out of Argentina’s national team coach, Jorge SAMPAOLI.

She has been pretty active on her social media account recently, posting about her husband’s achievement during the weekend. ICARDI, at the age of 25, scored his 100th goal for Internazionale which sealed his club’s place in the Champions League next season.

And here is another tweet from her, reminding ICARDI’s 29 goals in 34 appearances this season. Perhaps a reminder to SAMPAOLI on what he is missing out on?

And if that’s not all, she also uploaded a video of Mauro singing a song that apparently looks like is being dedicated to SAMPAOLI based on the lyrics.

El sueño del pibe

A post shared by Wanda nara (@wanda_icardi) on

There’s never a dull day in the ICARDI household. I’m guessing based on these posting from Wanda, SAMPAOLI may have no regrets of leaving ICARDI out of his final 23-squad for the World Cup. That is if he does leave ICARDI out.

Paulo DYBALA on Argentina and clubs: “I’ve always had to fight”

Paulo DYBALA has arrived in Argentina ahead of the team’s 23 final man squad announcement for the World Cup.

Upon his arrival, DYBALA was met by the media at the airport where he was questions about a few topics. From himself, to Inter man Mauro ICARDI to the support of the fans. Here’s what he had to say:

“It’s difficult, I’ve always had to fight at every club I have been at. I go and give it my all everytime I am counted on. Ever since you’re a kid, you dream about playing a World Cup. Hopefully it’ll be a big final. I haven’t spoken to Jorge SAMPAOLI about my position.”

Paulo DYBALA on Mauro ICARDI:

“He’s a great player, he showed it yesterday. He’s the top scorer in a league where it’s difficult to score. The decision belongs to the coach, I have a big friendship with him.”

Paulo DYBALA on the fans:

“The people have to support whoever is there. The most important thing for us is to feel that support. Whether I am chosen or not, I will be one of the biggest supporters for my team mates for them to bring the cup to the country.”

Marcos ACUÑA, CENTURION or PEROTTI for Argentina

With Argentina’s final 23 man squad for the World Cup to be announced on Monday, there’s reportedly only one spot left between three players.

Marcos ACUÑA, Ricardo CENTURION and Diego PEROTTI are all reportedly fighting for one spot. Per Ole, 22 of the 23 players are confirmed for Argentina’s World Cup squad. Here are the names being listed by Ole:

Goalkeepers:
Sergio ROMERO
Franco ARMANI
Wilfredo CABALLERO

Defenders:
Gabriel MERCADO
Federico FAZIO
Javier MASCHERANO
Nicolas OTAMENDI
Cristian ANSALDI
Nicolas TAGLIAFICO
Marcos ROJO

Midfielders:
Ever BANEGA
Eduardo SALVIO
Lucas BIGLIA
Angel DI MARIA
Giovani LO CELSO
Manuel LANZINI
Maxi MEZA
Marcos ACUÑA, Ricardo CENTURION or Diego PEROTTI

Forwards:
Lionel MESSI
Sergio AGUERO
Gonzalo HIGUAIN
Cristian PAVON
Paulo DYBALA

This would mean that the following players who made the preliminary list of 35 would miss out:

Nahuel GUZMAN
German PEZZELLA
Ramiro FUNES MORI
Guido PIZARRO
Enzo PEREZ
Leandro PAREDES
Rodrigo BATTAGLIA
Pablo PEREZ
Mauro ICARDI
Lautaro MARTINEZ

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