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Sergio Aguero, Nicolas Otamendi score in Man City win vs. Watford

Roy Nemer
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98

Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi both scored in Manchester City’s massive 8-0 win vs. Watford.

Five goals in the first 18 minutes for the reigning league champions but the game out of reach for Roberto Pereyra’s team. With the score at 1-0, City were awarded a penalty kick and it was regular penalty taker Sergio Aguero who stepped up. He sent the goalkeeper the wrong way as City doubled their lead.

Nicolas Otamendi, who had a nightmare of a game vs. Norwich last weekend got his goal. Following a corner kick, the Argentine was first to react to the loose ball and his header found the back of the net.

https://youtu.be/8e67lcVdbTo

Matias Vargas scores for Espanyol in 1-1 draw vs. Ferencvaros in Europa League

Roy Nemer
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72

Matias Vargas scored for Espanyol in their 1-1 draw vs. Ferencvaros in the Europa League.

The former Velez Sarsfield man can’t stop producing for his new team. A goal or an assist, Vargas is proving to be a very valuable asset for Espanyol. With Facundo Ferreyra out injured, Vargas was in the starting eleven for Espanyol.

With Ferencvaros leading 1-0, a ball was sent into the penalty area. After taking a bounce, it fell to a Vargas who headed the ball which hit the post but Vargas ended up kicking it into the net.

Vargas now has four goals in five Europa League games this season, including the qualifiers.

Argentina FA send appeal for Lionel Messi suspension

Roy Nemer
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0

The Argentina FA have reportedly sent an appeal to reduce Lionel Messi’s suspension.

Lionel Messi is currently suspended for 3 months following the his accusations against South America’s governing body CONMEBOL, done at the Copa America. Should the appeal be accepted, Messi would be available for October’s friendly games against Germany and Ecuador.

The verdict will be reached on October 3rd, ahead of the first game against Germany which would be on the 9th of the month.

Either way, Messi would still have to miss Argentina’s first FIFA World Cup qualifying match due to the red card he received against Chile in the third place game at the Copa America.

Argentina remain in FIFA top 10 rankings

Roy Nemer
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8

Argentina remain in the FIFA top 10 rankings following their two games in September.

A 0-0 draw vs. Chile followed by a big 4-0 win against Mexico in September meant that Argentina maintained their spot in the top 10 of the FIFA rankings. Lionel Scaloni’s side are currently ranked 10th in the standings, the same as their position in August. Here’s the top 10 teams:

  1. Belgium, 1.752 points
  2. France, 1.725 points
  3. Brazil, 1.1719 points
  4. England, 1.662 points
  5. Portugal, 1.643 points
  6. Uruguay, 1.639 points
  7. Spain, 1.631 points
  8. Croatia, 1.625 points
  9. Colombia, 1.622 points
  10. Argentina, 16.14 points

 

San Jose Earthquakes coach Matias Almeyda: “I’d love to experience another World Cup”

Roy Nemer
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29

San Jose Earthquakes coach Matias Almeyda recently gave an interview to FIFA.com where he discussed his career and also mentioned that he would like to take part in another World Cup.

The former Argentina man is presently coaching MLS club San Jose Earthquakes following stints in both Argentina and Mexico. Here are some parts from his interview.

In terms of tactics, what was the greatest challenge?

It was changing the approach on the training pitch and bringing in new ideas. The team was used to playing in a rigid shape, dropping deep and then hoping to hit the opposition on the counter. Now our system is quite the opposite, as we’re more attack-minded, more dynamic and more aggressive. It took a while to sell the idea to the players of defending as one and pressing from high up. Through this approach I ensure that my players run less and have more fun.

What do you want to achieve from your coaching career?

It is still early days for me but I would like it to be similar to my playing career. Achieving that will be difficult because as a player I got to represent some big teams and I featured at two World Cups and the Olympic Games. Making this come about will be a challenge, I would have to do really well.

Do you aspire to become a national team coach in the near future? Or do you think such a role is for someone older who is not as fussed on experiencing the day-to-day rush that club football offers?

I would love to! For me, just because you are a national team coach doesn’t mean you lay about at home. Although you don’t go to training every day there is still a lot of work to be done; you have to take in many games, keep in touch with players and know how they are doing off the pitch.

It would be a chance for you to go to another World Cup…

Going to a World Cup is the most fun you can have in football. I’d love to enjoy another and experience something as special as this again. In the two World Cups that I played, I felt conflicted, because I didn’t want any family to come along because I wanted to be isolated, purely focused on football. If I got the chance now I’d just want to experience it with a smile on my face. It would be the icing on the cake of my coaching career.

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