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’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
FIFA World Cup Knockout Stages:
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.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Draw is upon us with several groups of death being a real possibility for Argentina.
Football fans around the world will be glued to their television sets (or maybe in modern society their smart phones) in anticipation of the draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It’s the day we all find out the groups for the World Cup.
Groups of Death at 2018 FIFA World Cup Draw:
Will Argentina get a repeat of the 2002 World Cup group when they got England, Sweden and Nigeria? Or will it be Spain, Costa Rica and Japan? There are many possibilities. Ahead of the draw itself, FIFA.com held interviews with Brazil National Team coach Tite as well as footballing legend Javier ZANETTI. Both commented about the Argentina National Team. Here’s what they had to say:
Brazil coach Tite even spoke about Argentina. Here’s what he had to say speaking to FIFA.com.
Brazil coach Tite on Argentina:
Brazil swept all before them in the qualifiers after you took over in August 2016. How do you prevent that from being the team’s peak and ensure that it kicks on, which was something Argentina were unable to do in 2002, for example?
“With all due respect, I have to disagree with you about (Marcelo) Bielsa’s Argentina peaking then. They were in a really tough group with England, Nigeria and Sweden, and it all came down to a penalty in a very tight game with England. Argentina could easily have gone through and knocked the English out. But the group phase is always tricky. That’s a fact of life. In an individual sport you can always plan your ideal peak, but in a team sport the experience of playing in the qualifiers makes you stronger as a unit. In the case of Argentina that year, it was more to do with the quality of the opposition than the team peaking and then falling away.”
Lionel MESSI says that Argentina will be stronger now after their qualifying struggles. Do you agree with that?
“I’m with MESSI. They overcame a huge amount of pressure in the qualifiers. When you have three different coaches in the same qualifying competition, there are bound to be things that don’t work smoothly. But now that they’re through and they’ve got more time to work with and they have quality of [Jorge] SAMPAOLI and his players, I’m convinced they’re going to get better. I can’t say by how much but I’m sure they’re going to improve.”
Javier ZANETTI on Argentina:
Argentina laboured on the road to Russia. What’s your take on that campaign?
“It was very tricky because we changed coach midway through qualifying. Such changes are never easy. South American qualifying is always tough, and this time, Argentina had real trouble. We were on the brink: the last game against Ecuador was make-or-break in terms of reaching the World Cup.”
How did you handle the nerves?
“I live in Italy, but based on what my family and friends told me, I know the country was at a standstill, because Argentinians are hugely passionate about football and the World Cup is very important to them. On the one hand, I’m really pleased [that we’ve made it], but on the other hand, we’ve got lots to improve on.”
Are you excited by [Jorge] SAMPAOLI’s vision?
“Yes. I’m impressed because he has clear ideas, but he needs time to implement them. He knows that he has some top players at his disposal and he himself is experienced, which is very important at a World Cup.”
You mentioned the upheaval during the campaign, which is epitomised by the situation at centre-forward. Gabriel BATISTUTA was a nailed-on starter in attack in his day, as was Hernan CRESPO later. Things are different now…
“There’s been a lot of change in personnel. Until recently, Pipita [Gonzalo HIGUAIN] was the undisputed No9. Now Mauro ICARDI has got his chance, which is richly deserved because of what he’s doing for Inter Milan. Mauro can be useful for the national team, but that doesn’t mean HIGUAIN shouldn’t be in the squad. Argentina are lucky enough to have an embarrassment of riches up front, from Pipita to ICARDI, [Paulo] DYBALA, [Lionel] MESSI and so on. They’ve got so many options. I hope they can all go to the World Cup because they’d give the squad great strength in depth.”
What shape are Argentina in right now compared to other countries like Germany and Brazil?
“We’re a step behind them. They’ve got teams who have been working together for a while and that shows on the pitch. Still, we’ve got good players, and if we do good work between now and Russia, we can have a great World Cup. It’s not going to be easy, but Argentina always have their trademark fighting spirit, which can go a long way at a World Cup.”
Is MESSI alone enough to win it?
“MESSI is an extraordinary player, but your squad is pivotal: at a World Cup, the 11 players on the pitch and everyone else in the group can all play an important role. We know that he’s the guy who can produce something special out of nothing, who can make things happen and be the match-winner, but SAMPAOLI has to come up with alternatives.”
FIFA World Cup mock Draw:
A mock draw was done earlier this week and here was the outcome:
A mock of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Draw.
In the mock 2018 FIFA World Cup Draw, Argentina was drawn in a group with Morocco, Mexico and Sweden. What would you think about having that group? Possibly not the worst draw although that could be a dangerous group with three very different types of countries. Here are the pots for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Draw on Friday:
Last night was a good night for futbol Argentino. Independiente defeated Paraguay’s Libertad 3-1 to secure a place in the Copa Sudamericana final. The result on Tuesday gave the Argentine team a 3-2 aggregate victory in the semi-final after the Paraguayan club won last week’s first leg 1-0 in Asuncion.
Teenage midfielder Ezequiel BARCO opened the scoring with a 17th-minute penalty and GIGLIOTTI doubled the hosts’ lead by sliding in a first-time finish after a Maximiliano MEZA cross. Angel Cardozo headed in to put the visitors back on level terms overall before GIGLIOTTI connected with Gaston SILVA’S pass to again find the net with just one touch.
Independiente will play the winner of the other semi-final between Brazil’s Flamengo and Colombia’s Junior in the final.
There are rumours floating around that Atlanta United, the team in the MLS that Tata MARTINO coaches have offered 14 million dollars for Ezequiel BARCO.
Conmebol has already confirmed that the finals will be played Wednesday December 6 & 7. First leg in Avellaneda and the second leg in Rio or Barranquilla.
It’s been a rollercoaster year for Tottenham’s Erik LAMELA but the Argentine played his first match in over a year and even had an assist.
Exactly 400 days since he last took the pitch (October 25, 2016), Coco LAMELA was back playing for Tottenham in the Premier League as he came on as a substitute in his team’s 2-1 loss to Leicester City. LAMELA came on and had an assist within 80 seconds after being substituted on.
Following the pitch, Erik took to the media to talk about his long injury layoff. At one, there were even rumors that he would never play again. Here’s what he had to say:
Erik LAMELA on possible early retirement:
“Of course, in really bad times you always think the worst. But my family was always with me and the supporters wanted me on the pitch, they bring me energy to work every day and to never give up. Today I’m here today because I really wanted it and when you really want something you can do it.”
Erik LAMELA on his injury:
“It was crazy, it was probably the worst time of my life. I really wanted to play but it took too long, my injury. Two surgeries in one month and a half.
“Of course, I was not available to play. But working every day and doing the right rehabilitation, in my mind was always the feeling that I wanted to play and be back with the team.
“Everyone is different in life. Some people wanted me back and I was only focused on it. My family was always with me, my girlfriend always pushing me to be back. And of course it was hard to be so long out of the pitch but it’s football, no?
“The manager and all the staff honestly were amazing. They were always with me, behind me. All of us wanted the same thing – me playing. Sometimes you have to respect the times and today I feel better. It’s been a very long time fighting to get back. Unfortunately, I didn’t get well soon, but now I’m much better and very happy to be back.”
Erik LAMELA on his contract ending this season:
“I don’t want to think about it. I am only focused on keep playing, recover for training tomorrow and day by day.”
On the birth of his first child:
“I’m so happy for this.”
Erik LAMELA on Tottenham, family:
“My family and football are the most important things in my life. I am here in London to play for Tottenham so when you can’t play, it’s very hard. I fought every day, every week, I did what the staff wanted and today is the day I come back. It feels amazing to play again. I really enjoyed it.
“There were some very hard times but in life, you need to keep going, always looking forward. I fought every day to be good, to train, to help my team-mates. I did my best always and that’s why, today, I’m here again. There has been a lot of support from my team-mates, also the fans, everyone who works in the Club. Every day, every week they ask(ed) how I felt and I felt sad for them because I wanted to play. I wanted to bring energy and good play to the team. Today is another step. I am back on the pitch and it felt amazing to play again in front of the people. Unfortunately, we didn’t win.”
Disappointing result but happy to be back ⚽❤️ #COYS
Russia
Spain
Denmark
Serbia
Germany
Peru
Iceland
Nigeria
Brazil
Switzerland
Costa Rica
Australia
Portugal
England
Sweden
Japan
Argentina
Colombia
Tunisia
Morocco
Belgium
Mexico
Egypt
Panama
Poland
Uruguay
Senegal
South Korea
France
Croatia
Iran
Saudi Arabia
