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Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI: “It has left a sour taste”

World Cup Qualifiers

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August 31, 2017

Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI: “It has left a sour taste”

Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI has stated that the match has left a sour taste in their mouths.

Speaking a press conference following Argentina’s 0-0 draw against Uruguay, the National Team coach came out talking about the match, Lionel MESSI, Mauro ICARDI and more. Here’s what he had to say:

Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI

“We played against an opponent that was always looking to block any openings. It has left a sour taste in our mouths for not having won. We went looking for the match everytime but they were always in their own area. We were hoping for an open match but it was never the case. They defended in the middle of the pitch. Their intentions were clear.

“ICARDI was marked by two defenders the entire match. He had very little space and they have a lot of experience. MESSI was enormous for us. Today, we saw MESSI. He played a very good match.

“Being at the bottom generates a lot of nervousness. But we have to remember that at times, the World Cup Qualifiers are more difficult than the World Cup itself.

“We have to be more aggressive in the last third and get more people in the area. The team was patient and kept looking for the space to generate an attack. The team came out with the idea to play regardless of the circumstances. It’s our job to ensure that the team wins. We have to win so that Argentina can be at the World Cup in Russia. Now, we’re required to be sharp for the next matches. Any act of desperation would cost us to miss out on the World Cup. We have to be clear and precise regarding our message.

“PIZARRO and BIGLIA complemented each other well. MASCHERANO could be utilized in any position (regarding Gabriel MERCADO’s suspension for the next match).”

Problems remain as Argentina draw with Uruguay

World Cup Qualifiers

Roy Nemer

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August 31, 2017

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Problems remain as Argentina draw with Uruguay

It was an uneventful match as Argentina drew 0-0 against Uruguay.

If you’re a fan of the Argentina National Team, the hype surrounding this match nearly reached MAYWEATHER/McGREGOR levels. Jorge SAMPAOLI in charge of his first competitive match since taking over as coach, Lionel MESSI starting with Paulo DYBALA and Mauro ICARDI, Uruguay in poor form. It had all the writings for a memorable match. The outcome was a tight match with Uruguay defending in two big blocks of four with Argentina lacking creativity in midfield to really generate something and push forward.

The first half saw Argentina with much of the ball but as has become the norm the past few years, little to no creativity in the middle of the pitch moving forward. The center pairing of Lucas BIGLIA and Guido PIZARRO meant some stability in front of a three man back line but nothing moving forward. BIGLIA covered a lot of ground and actually played well. The only problem was that there was no creativity from him or PIZARRO.

It was a repeat of MESSI having to do a lot of tracking back to get something going however he uncharacteristically gave the ball away cheaply on a few occasions in the first 45 minutes. It wasn’t until near the end of the first half where we saw him combining with Paulo DYBALA where he got his first (and only) chance at goal (outside of a free kick in the second half). A lot of off the ball movement from Mauro ICARDI but with him being marked tightly by not only one but at times two Uruguayan defenders, it made life difficult, especially with no service from his team.

DI MARIA was, to say the least, extremely frustrating to watch. The back line came under pressure once or twice and had it not been for Sergio ROMERO (who he himself scrambled to control a ball), Argentina would have been down a goal heading into the break.

The second half saw SAMPAOLI’s men moving the ball at a faster rate in the first few minutes but that quickly stopped once we were ten minutes inside the second half. Lautaro ACOSTA, Javier PASTORE and Joaquin CORREA were the three substitutes for Argentina (the latter playing not even 3 minutes after being brought on in injury time). ACOSTA came close to creating something soon after coming on as he bursted down the right wing but his cross was cleared. He also had a bad touch on a pull-back which could have resulted in a dangerous chance for his team. PASTORE had a run inside the area where his pass found ICARDI but the Inter man went down in hopes of getting a penalty.

With Chile and Colombia both dropping points (Chile losing and Colombia drawing), Argentina only gains ground on Chile, with them now being tied on points with the Chileans.

Up next for Argentina is a match against Venezuela on Tuesday.

Starting Argentina lineup confirmed!

Juli2014

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August 31, 2017

65

The Argentina lineup is out with shirt numbers.

The starting lineup for tonight’s World Cup Qualifying match against Uruguay has been confirmed. Paulo DYBALA will wear the number 21 shirt while Mauro ICARDI will wear the same number he wore in 2013 against Uruguay on his National Team debut, that is to say the number 7 shirt. Here’s the Argentina starting eleven with the shirt numbers.

Argentina lineup

ROMERO; MERCADO, FAZIO, OTAMENDI; ACUNA, BIGLIA, PIZARRO, DI MARIA; MESSI, DYBALA and ICARDI

Photo courtesy of AFA — Argentina shirt numbers

What do you guys think of the lineup? Will it be enough to beat Uruguay? Any predictions?

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!

Three specific matchups to watch for in Argentina-Uruguay

World Cup Qualifiers

Matias Wodner

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August 31, 2017

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Three specific matchups to watch for in Argentina-Uruguay

Later tonight, the Argentina national team will face off against Uruguay in Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. A World Cup qualifier, this match is of tremendous importance for both teams. Argentina is currently in a World Cup playoff zone, while Uruguay is third in the Conmebol standings but is tied with Chile on points and is just one point ahead of La Albiceleste.

This match will also mark the first competitive match for Argentina under new manager Jorge SAMPAOLI. Don Sampa has already brought about turnover within the Argentina squad, calling up fresh new faces and changing Argentina’s system from the traditional 4-3-3 to his version of a 3-4-2-1. SAMPAOLI will go into this match with a specific plan, and he’ll do so because Uruguay likes to play a particular way: counter-attacking with long balls.

So with all of that in mind, let’s break down which matchups to look out for in tonight’s match.

Sergio ROMERO vs. Set Pieces

For anyone who has watched La Albiceleste play over the past decade or so, Sergio ROMERO hasn’t inspired too much confidence. He’s a bit of a boom-or-bust goalkeeper, as he’ll make outstanding saves and follow them up with a blunder. One criticism of ROMERO is his unwillingness to come off his line at times. Perhaps it was a coaching or tactical preference in the past, but ROMERO must be quick to come out on set pieces in this match.

Uruguay thrives on dead-ball situations, primarily on corner kicks where they can use their height to pepper the goal with shots. The Argentina defense will have its work cut out for it marking on corners and free kicks, but their life will be made much easier if ROMERO is aggressive in attacking the ball while it’s in the air during these situations. Whether he is plucking the ball out of the air or just punching it away, ROMERO needs to be much more active than usual tonight.

Mauro ICARDI vs. Diego Godín and José Giménez

Uruguay might very well have the best center back pairing in all of international soccer. Godín continues to age like a fine wine, while Giménez is one of the most talented young central defenders in soccer right now. The two play together at Atletico Madrid and have played together often for Uruguay, so their synergy can’t be denied. In order to break that backline, La Albiceleste will have to attack them in different ways.

In steps Mauro ICARDI. After years of being shunned from the team, ICARDI finally looks set to take over as Argentina’s new No. 9. A goal-scoring machine with outstanding vision to boot, ICARDI is a complete striker. Adept at finishing with his right foot and left foot, ICARDI is also a supreme ball-winner on aerial duels. He can jump as high as anyone and has a knack for directing headers into spaces where goalkeepers can’t get to. ICARDI has a tough task in what looks likely to be his first-ever start for Argentina, but he needs to attack with versatility for Argentina to score tonight.

Argentina Midfield vs. Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez

You might be thinking, “shouldn’t the matchup be Uruguay’s strikers against Argentina’s three defenders”? Yes, and it will be when Uruguay is in possession in Argentina’s final-third and on set pieces. But Uruguay’s style of play dictates for counter-attacking play from La Celeste. With Argentina fond of controlling the ball with short passes in the opponent’s half, Argentina’s midfielders will be stationed in Uruguay territory often.

When the ball is lost, Uruguay springs forward. With La Albicelste’s midfielders likely to be far away from their own goal, they’ll need to cut off any semblance of a counter-attack before Cavani and Suárez can go forward with the ball. Whether it’s by way of converging on the ball together or just fouling, Argentina’s midfielders (Lucas BIGLIA and Guido PIZARRO in particular) can’t allow for Uruguay’s strikers to get a full head of steam as they sprint towards Argentina’s backline of three defenders.

Jorge SAMPAOLI – Savior?

Latest News

Roy Nemer

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August 31, 2017

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Managers have come and gone for Argentina; indeed, Argentina are on their 3rd manager this campaign alone. Many have been shadows behind all-star talent, but Jorge SAMPAOLI is by no means a shadow. He brings credibility to a position that grossly needed a strong personality that instills confidence in a somewhat broken team, credibility earned from his stings with Peruvian & Chilean clubs and, of course, the Chilean national team. In contrast, having lost in the finals of three tournaments in a row, Argentina’s fans can be forgiven if they believe to be cursed. Managers have failed tactically, whether in formations or in substitutions, in Argentina’s history, from failing to play MESSI in 2006 to LAVEZZI’s early substitution off the pitch in the World Cup final of 2014. But finally it appears that Argentina have their man – a strong tactician who commands the respect of even the most elite stars in the world.

The history of Jorge SAMPAOLI

SAMPAOLI was a defensive midfielder, but an early injury in his career sidelined him and forced him into management. He plied his trade in Peru, with mixed success early on, but an impressive run at Coronel Bolognesi, where the team made its first international tournament under his guidance. Later in his career, he coached O’Higgins in Chile, leading them to a 3rd place finish. His real club success, however, came at Universidad de Chile, one of the biggest clubs in Chile if not the biggest, where he won 3 league titles and a Copa Sudamericana. Soon after, with his success and Chile seeking to turn around its national side, he took the job as manager for Chile. Having already played BIELSA’s style, the not dissimilar SAMPAOLI brought new energy and confidence to the team’s play, and he eventually led them to break our collective hearts in the 2015 Copa America. Soon after SAMPAOLI resigned and took a job with Sevilla, where he managed for one season before famously (or infamously in the minds of many Sevilla fans) took on the position as Argnetina’s manager because he felt it was duty to come when his nation called.

There is no doubt that SAMPAOLI has credibility and respect where it was lacking in the past with the national team players and his success brings an air of confidence that was missing from the team. But only time will tell if he can solve the puzzles our national team brings. We have an abundance of talent in the front, a mixed bag in the middle, and little to speak of at the back. SAMPAOLI must bring the best out in his new attacking trio of MESSI, DYBALA, and ICARDI while balancing the team to ensure there is enough service for his trio of superstars from the midfield and enough protection for a makeshift and often times worrisome back line.

He surely understands his task, and his credibility will be key to convincing the team that his system and their effort in tracking back is key to the team’s success. Only time will tell if he is our savior, or another body to add to the pile of coaching victims created by our befuddling team.

The above was written by George Thomas of Mundo Albiceleste.