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Hernan CRESPO on Argentina: “Who helped MESSI against Iceland?”

Roy Nemer
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154

Argentina legend Hernan CRESPO gave an interview to TyC Sports where he spoke about the team and coach Jorge SAMPAOLI.

Hernan CRESPO knows a thing or two about playing for his country at a World Cup. He was part of the team in 1998 which eliminated England on penalty kicks, was there for the heartbreak of 2002 and the lost to the Germans in 2006 in Berlin. However, the now retired former number 9 gave his thoughts about the Argentina National Team. Here’s what he had to say:

“The first game is very difficult. All the favorites suffered. You know you have been working for the past four years and you play a little bit of it in 90 minutes.

“I’m worried about the National Team because they have very little time to work. We have players to make it (out of the group) and after that to the quarters and move forward. What worries me is not knowing what the team can give. But there’s enough reason to dream. but the match (versus iceland) was meant for dybala.”

In regards to the coach, CRESPO thinks he’s one for a long term project:

“As a coach, I like him and he makes me enthusiastic. But I didn’t agree in giving him the National Team because I think he’s a coach for a long term project. These 10 games are very little in terms of what he can bring for us.”

In a separate interview with La Gazzetta Dello Sport, CRESPO went more indepth on the match saying MESSI was left alone and DI MARIA didn’t have a good match.

“He’s a phenomenon if he’s put in the right conditions, like in Barcelona, otherwise it’s hard for him. Let’s start from a fact. MESSI, as a vote, deserves 5. If he had scored the penalty, I would have given him a 6. Of course we expect more from him, but here the talk is broadened. MESSI is not MARADONA, he doesn’t win a World Cup by himself.

“Who helped MESSI against Iceland? DI MARIA didn’t get away from his marker once. The central midfielders didn’t help. They didn’t play like a team, didn’t move like a team. They were all there waiting for MESSI but it isn’t possible to hand all the responsibility of every action to one player.”

Cristian PAVON, LO CELSO, MERCADO rumored to start for Argentina

John
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508

Argentine sports media TyC Sports have reported that Jorge SAMPAOLI will be making several changes to his starting for eleven for the match against Croatia.

The players received a surprise visit on Sunday from their family members to celebrate fathers day but we do have news regarding the starting eleven.

Players who started the match against Iceland worked in the gym while the rest of the players worked out on the pitch. From what is being reported, Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI is expected to make a few changes in the starting eleven for the match against Croatia on Thursday.

Eduardo SALVIO who started at right-back will be replaced by Gabriel MERCADO. This was one of the most talked about decisions from SAMPAOLI considering SALVIO naturally plays as a right-winger.

The other changes that fans and critics have been screaming about were the choices of Javier MASCHERANO and Lucas BIGLIA in central midfield. Now it seems like, SAMPAOLI may opt for Giovanni LO CELSO to start alongside MASCHERANO.

The other change will see Angel DI MARIA being dropped for Cristian PAVON. Willy CABALLERO, the controversial pick as Argentina’s first choice keeper will continue to keep his place in the starting eleven.

 

Lionel MESSI: “We had a hard time creating chances” on Argentina draw

Roy Nemer
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362

Lionel MESSI, Sergio AGUERO, Javier MASCHERANO and Jorge SAMPAOLI all spoke to the media following the team’s 1-1 draw against Iceland at the FIFA World Cup.

For the first time since the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Argentina have not won their opening match at a FIFA World Cup. However, they went on to reaching the final against West Germany that year and for the team, should they qualify for the second round, it could possibly mean an easier road (on paper, at least) to a potential final. MESSI spoke about his penalty kick and more. Here’s what he had to say:

“We had a hard time creating chances. We’re going to go out there to beat Croatia. We were superior (to Iceland). We tried but it wasn’t to be. Missing the penalty hurt.

“Worried? No, I’m angry and it hurts because I missed the penalty. I feel responsible for not having the 3 points. It would have changed everything. We are calm.

“We don’t have to go crazy. We just started and we know it won’t be easy. It hurts because we deserved to win.”

Sergio AGUERO is also confident about the rest of the World Cup.

“This is just the beginning, there’s still a lot left to play for.”

One of the veterans of the team, Javier MASCHERANO shares AGUERO’s same sentiments.

“This is just the beginning, you are not allowed to fall. Every opponent is different. We wanted to start off with a win but I won’t let it bother me.”

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli stated that Iceland were well structured but that it is also just the beginning:

“We played against a team that was well structured. This just started, we have to have the strength to play the next match. We will keep working to win the net game.”

Lionel MESSI penalty miss as Argentina draw Iceland at World Cup

Roy Nemer
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133

A first half which saw Argentina dominate possession (nearly five times the amount of passes as Iceland had) but despite those numbers, both goals came in the first half. The first big chance of the match fell to Iceland after a defensive mistake but Argentina were let off the hook.

All eyes were on Lionel MESSI who was tightly marked by three Icelandic players meant that Marcos ROJO was allowed to roam forward and drive in a strong pass into Sergio AGUERO. The ball landed on AGUERO’s feet who did very well to hold off his marker, span around and struck a rocket of a shot into the top corner to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. That goal was AGUERO’s first at a FIFA World Cup.

Jorge SAMPAOLI’s men continued to have possession of the ball and moved it around but it was another defensive mistake by the back line which allowed Iceland back into the match. Willy CABALLERO was unable to hang on to the ball as a cross was sent into the area and the defense stood standing still as Iceland drew level.

The second half started the same way the first one did, that is to say with Argentina in control of the ball. A cross sent into the area by MESSI saw Maxi MEZA get fouled and the Albiceleste were awarded a penalty. Lionel MESSI took it but had his shot saved by the goalkeeper.

Ever BANEGA, Cristian PAVON and Gonzalo HIGUAIN came in to try and help SAMPAOLI’s team in getting the three points but it wasn’t happening. Iceland held on to a 1-1 draw and Argentina are not in an easy position heading into the second match.

Argentina vs. Iceland – World Cup match thread

Roy Nemer
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267

It’s been nearly four years since Argentina last took to the pitch at a FIFA World Cup but today, the dream restarts.

Jorge SAMPAOLI has announced his Argentina starting eleven for the match against Iceland and it’s the one he has been trying in training all week. Willy CABALLERO will be the first goalkeeper not named Sergio ROMERO to start for Argentina at a FIFA World Cup since Roberto ABBONDANZIERI in 2006 against Germany.

Here’s Argentina’s starting eleven:

CABALLERO; SALVIO, OTAMENDI, ROJO, TAGLIAFICO; MASCHERANO, BIGLIA; MEZA, MESSI, DI MARIA; AGUERO

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