Argentina National Team coach Jorge SAMPAOLI held a press conference on Thursday in Manchester, England.
The Argentina man commented on a number of a subjects ahead of the match on Friday against Italy at the Etihad stadium. One of the topics of discussion was obviously Lionel MESSI but also Sergio AGUERO’s fitness as well as Mauro ICARDI and Paulo DYBALA. Here’s what he had to say:
Jorge SAMPAOLI press conference:
Jorge SAMPAOLI on Lionel MESSI:
“Leo (MESSI) has everything for this to be his team, not mine. I’m obliged to help the best player in the best way. For that reason I feel it’s his team.”
Jorge SAMPAOLI on Sergio AGUERO:
“It’s going to be hard for AGUERO to be fit for the match against Spain but we’ll try. It’s worth the effort. For me, Sergio AGUERO’s best version was when he was with Independiente and that’s the AGUERO I want. The one that resolves problems himself with his play and personality. Today’s version is sensational but I think he can get even better.”
Jorge SAMPAOLI on Mauro ICARDI:
“Mauro (ICARDI) was the chosen one. There’s a difference between ICARDIi’s partnerships in his club and with the National Team. Mauro’s case is similar to that of DYBALA’s. He’s a player we had chosen for something in the National Team but with the National Team, he didn’t have the footballing relationship with his team mates. I’m not counting him out, it gives me pride that he’s Argentine.”
Jorge SAMPAOLI on Gonzalo HIGUAIN:
Everything about HIGUAIN at the moment, I see that he has the potential to have a World Cup which would reflect him, that is to say one of the best center forwards in the world. If mentally, HIGUAIN will be the way he is now, at the level he’s showing in training and what he’s shown for his club, then for us it’s a real possibility that Argentina will have a very strong attack.”
Jorge SAMPAOLI on the goalkeepers:
“We have the idea of giving every goalkeeper some minutes because we have to evaluate them. The same thing for outfield players.
Jorge SAMPAOLI on Manuel LANZINI:
“Manuel LANZINI is a vital player.”
Jorge SAMPAOLI on the team:
“Today, the players are aware that the only way of playing the World Cup is by enjoying it. With the little time we have together, we have to work on shaping the defence. TAGLIAFICO and BUSTOS are more natural fullbacks for us.
“I still beleive Italy is a footballing force and the match on Friday could even be a semi-final of a World Cup.”
