Home Blog Page 1285

Hernan CRESPO on Argentina’s strikers for World Cup

43

Hernan CRESPO has come out and commented on Argentina’s strikers for the World Cup.

Legendary number 9 Hernan CRESPO knows a thing or two about playing at the top level. He’s scored goals for River Plate, Inter, AC Milan, Chelsea, the Argentina National Team and the list goes on. That’s why when he was asked about the Albiceleste’s current strikers, he’s a more than qualified person to be able to answer. Speaking on Argentinian television show “Podemos Hablar”, here’s what CRESPO had to say:

Hernan CRESPO on Argentina’s strikers:

“Mauro (ICARDI) and Gonzalo (HIGUAIN) are two different kind of players and the same goes for AGUERO. If I had to choose only two attackers for our national team I would go with Lionel MESSI and Paulo DYBALA who are two incredible players.

“If I had to choose between ICARDI and HIGUAIN I would make my decision based on being an Inter fan. However, the two of them could also play together up front and in any case they could both profit by working together.”

Argentina's strikers Hernan Crespo Tevez Messi Riquelme
Hernan Crespo at the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Tevez, Riquelme and Messi

That last comment about ICARDI and HIGUAIN being capable of playing together could be a call back to the 2002 World Cup where it seemed that everyone but then coach Marcelo BIELSA thought that both CRESPO and Gabriel BATISTUTA were able of playing together.

Mauro ICARDI and Lionel MESSI score on the weekend

Mauro ICARDI and Lionel MESSI both scored for their respective clubs on the weekend.

ICARDI continues to add to his impressive numbers for Inter as he netted his 16th Serie A goal of the season. The Inter hitman scored against Chievo in their 5-0 win.

Mauro’s now scored 94 goals for his club at the age of 24 and is the 10th best goal scorer for the club.

Another Argentinian scored on the weekend, you may have heard of him, Lionel MESSI. Leo scored in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw againat Celta as he scored his 13th league goal of the season. MESSI was also heavily involved in the team’a overall play and helped setup Barcelona’s second goal.

Both Mauro ICARDI and Lionel MESSI now lead their respective leagues in goals this season.

Mauro ICARDI and Lionel MESSI goals:

Inter’s number 9 took to social media to express his thoughts on entering Inter’s top 10 all time goal scoring list. Here’s what he had to say:

“I have no words to describe this moment… It’s a beautiful moment that represents hard work and sacrifice over all these years at Inter. Today, in my fifth season in Milan, I have entered the history of this club as one of the top 10 scorers of all time.

“Thanks to all of you for the support you give me every day.”

Jorge SAMPAOLI: “Iceland will make us work, as everyone else”

35

Argentina National Team coach Jorge SAMPAOLI took to the press to talk about Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria.

Argentina coach SAMPAOLI commented on his team’s World Cup draw, stating that Iceland will make Argentina work, much like every other team. The Argentina man also spoke about Lionel MESSI and Cristiano RONALDO. Here’s what he had to say:

Jorge SAMPAOLI on Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria:

“These are rivals that are coming with few obligations and a lot of enthusiasm for a unique opportunity as the World Cup is. They are going to make us fight but it will depend on us. We need to establish a way and be the Argentina we want to be.

“Iceland will make us work, as everyone else. Nigeria is unpredictable, they are very fast. We need to study them well. Croatia has an excellent midfield line with Luka MODRIC, Ivan RAKITIC and Ivan PERISIC. They also have (Mario) MANDZUKIC as a No. 9. They are very strong.”

Jorge SAMPAOLI on Lionel MESSI and Cristiano RONALDO:

“Cristiano is an extraordinary player, but I think and feel that in the last 10 years Messi was the best player in the world, but it is my opinion, by statistics, by amount of goals, assists, flair, style, but it is a particular thought of mine.

“There are some players behind them (MESSI and Cristiano), such us NEYMAR or Luis SUAREZ, also some youngsters such as (Kylian) MBAPPE or (Ousmane) DEMBELE. They will fight for it in the future. However, while MESSI and Cristiano keep playing, the others will just fight for the third or fourth position.

“I think in every time there is a footballer who is considered the best: PELE, MARADONA and MESSI now. But now he has remained ten years in Europe, being the best player in the world, scoring more than 500 goals in this so complicated European football.

“So you don’t have to have a World Cup to be the best in the world.”

Gonzalo HIGUAIN wins it for Juventus versus Napoli

Gonzalo HIGUAIN’s form has slowly started picking up, this time scoring the winning goal against Napoli.

Playing with a broken hand didn’t stop Gonzalo HIGUAIN from scoring against his old club as Juventus picked up a 1-0 victory. Pipita had surgery on his hand on Monday and was playing with it wrapped up and he ended up stepping up to the plate and scoring the winner.

Napoli have not won the league since 1990 and started off the season in excellent form but that loss marks their first Serie A loss at home this season. Speaking after the match, HIGUAIN was full of praise for his former coach SARRI but not so much for their president. Here’s what he had to say:

Gonzalo HIGUAIN on Napoli coach SARRI:

“I’m very fond of SARRI. He made me improve a lot and I will always be grateful to him. I love him as a person and as a coach. I wish him the best. We will keep in touch with one another and maybe we will find ourselves together in another team. It would be a great pleasure for me.”

Gonzalo HIGUAIN on president DE LAURENTIIS:

“I couldn’t find DE LAURENTIIS after my goal… Maybe he was hiding.”

Argentina national team coach Jorge SAMPAOLI hinted earlier this week that Gonzalo HIGUAIN could be an important player for Argentina.

Argentina’s 2018 FIFA World Cup group: Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria

86

Argentina’s 2018 FIFA World Cup group consists of Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria.

Lionel MESSI and co will start off the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Iceland. The Icelandics had a fantastic Euro 2016 tournament after not only making it out of the group stages but knocking out England in the Round of 16. The Albiceleste will have to start off the World Cup on the right foot and a win here will do just that.

Argentina’s second match at the World Cup will come against Croatia. On paper, possibly Argentina’s most difficult opponent in the group stage. A technically strong team with star player Luka MODRIC being one of the better midfielders of the past few years, Jorge SAMPAOLI will have his work cut out for him in this match.

After that comes Nigeria. Not for the first (second, third or fourth) time in World Cup history, Argentina will play African side Nigeria in the group stages of a World Cup. The two sides were drawn together in the 1994, 2002, 2010, 2014 and now 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina’s 2018 FIFA World Cup group fixtures:

Argentina vs. Iceland: June 16
Argentina vs. Croatia: June 21
Argentina vs. Nigeria: June 26

Coach Jorge SAMPAOLI had this to say after the draw:
“I have a lot of confidence in these Argentine players.”

FIFA World Cup Group Draw:

2018 FIFA World Cup Groups
2018 FIFA World Cup Groups

FIFA World Cup Knockout Stages:

World Cup Knockout Matches
The knockout stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina have played against World Cup debutantes in 2014 (Bosnia-Hezergovina), 2006 (Ivory Coast), 1998 (Japan) and 1994 (Greece). They have won all of those matches. And in 2018, they play Iceland who will also be making their World Cup debut.

What do you think of Argentina’s group?

[poll id=”8″]

Become a Mundo Albiceleste Member

Support the site, win prizes, and be part of the Albiceleste family!

OFFER AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME

1 MONTH – FREE TRIAL, CANCEL ANYTIME

  • Participate to win a different retro Argentina shirt every month!
  • Play weekly trivia to win a 2022 World Cup ball signed by Julián Álvarez, among other prizes!
  • Write opinion pieces for the site
Subscribe Now