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Mauro ICARDI and Gio SIMEONE score in Serie A draw

Match Highlights

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January 5, 2018

Mauro ICARDI and Gio SIMEONE score in Serie A draw

Both Mauro ICARDI and Gio SIMEONE scored on Friday in a 1-1 draw involving Fiorentina and Inter.

Mauro ICARDI made it 18 goals in 20 matches in Serie A this season after he scored for Inter to give them a 1-0 lead away against Fiorentina. ICARDI’s goal came in the 55th minute when his headed shot was stoppe by the goalkeeper but the Argentina number 9 got his own rebound to give his team the advantage.

The goal was ICARDI’s 100th league goal of his career. He scored 90 goals for Inter and 10 goals for his previous club Sampdoria.

There was a second goal in the match and it came very late in the 91st minute courtesy of Giovanni SIMEONE. The opposite number 9 scored his seventh of the season in 20 matches after he was left alone in the area and his shot went high into the back of the net.

The draw takes Inter to third place with 42 points but AS Roma are hot on their trails with 39 points and 18 matches played. For Gabriel BATISTUTA’s old team, the draw takes them level with Udinese on 28 points (8th in Serie A) with Alejandro GOMEZ’s Atalanta right behind them on 27 points in 9th position.

Goals by Mauro ICARDI and Gio SIMEONE

Alfio BASILE: “1994 World Cup, my greatest disappointment”

Roy Nemer

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January 4, 2018

9

Alfio BASILE: “1994 World Cup, my greatest disappointment”

Former Argentina National Team manager Alfio BASILE had a lot to say in a latest interview.

One of the most interesting characters in Argentinian football, Alfio BASILE did fairly well for himself as a character. On top of being the only person to ever coach both Diego MARADONA and Lionel MESSI, BASILE won four titles with Argentina and quiet a few with Boca Juniors and even Racing Club. A back to back Copa America winner (was also the last coach to ever win a trophy with Argentina), as well as the winner of the first ever Confederations Cup, BASILE managed to squeeze in an Artemio FRANCHI trophy in 1993 for his country.

Now retired, BASILE spoke to Oral Deportiva about Lionel MESSI, the World Cup, the 1994 World Cup and more. Here’s what he had to say:

Alfio BASILE on Manchester City

“Out of today’s teams, the one that attracts me the most is Manchester City.”

Alfio BASILE on Lionel MESSI, Argentina and the 2018 FIFA World Cup

“If the 10 (MESSI) is good, he can beat anyone; but if he’s not, it’s just another team, like is the case with Barcelona.

“I don’t know Iceland but we can’t be afraid of them. Nigeria, offensively, are phenomenons who play in the Premier League. Croatia plays well, they’re brave.

“SAMPAOLI is probably the only Argentinian coach I haven’t had the opportunity to meet.

“In Argentina, we have three goalscorers (HIGUAIN, AGUERO and ICARDI). I always think of HIGUAIN and AGUERO, who have been in Europe for a few years now. You can’t argue with AGUERO’s case. With MASCHERANO, you have to have him at the World Cup for experience and because he’s important for the group, but we’ll have to see if he plays in China.”

Alfio BASILE on Fernando GAGO

“I would look for a replacement but just as much, I’d wait. In my National Team, he always played, hopefully he’s good for the World Cup.”

Alfio BASILE on the 1994 FIFA World Cup

“It was the greatest disappointment of my footballing career. I was convinced we were going to be world champions. After that, I wasn’t able to get my revenge.

“MARADONA, 3 months before the World Cup, was at 104 kilograms and with the trainer, we got him to 74 kilograms. Diego was flying. After that came the ephedrine which does not make you a better footballer. Everything was said about Diego’s suspension but it was ephedrine. I read the FIFA report.

“When HAVELANGE saw how MARADONA was, he said “they’re going to be world champions” but it was the last chance he had that Brazil become champions under his direction at FIFA. In 1994, we were going to play the final against Italy.

Alfio BASILE on retirement

“I retired because I got tired of everything: Of concentrating, of the every day problems… It’s difficult to get to the young players these days.”

Atletico Madrid’s Luciano VIETTO joins Valencia

Roy Nemer

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January 4, 2018

5

Atletico Madrid’s Luciano VIETTO joins Valencia

Luciano VIETTO has joined Spanish club Valencia.

Second place in La Liga Valencia have added depth to their front line adding Argentinian striker Luciano VIETTO from Atletico Madrid. VIETTO joins on a loan deal until June with the club having an option to buy at the end of the season.

We reported in the past week that the former Racing Club man was apparently close to joining Portuguese club Sporting CP but that deal ultimately fell through. This already marks the fourth club in Spain which VIETTO has represented, having joined Villarreal in 2014 from Racing Club, which was then followed by Diego SIMEONE’s Atletico Madrid and the third being Sevilla, although that one was on loan as well.

Diego SIMEONE on Luciano VIETTO leaving to Valencia

During a press conference on Tuesday, Diego SIMEONE had this to say about VIETTO’s possible departure:

“I have spoken with him and he has a chance to leave. I wish him the best and I hope he goes to a competitive team. His departure annoys me because his play hasn’t been accompanied by goals at a team which doesn’t wait.

“He has been one of our best players. I love him a lot as a person and he is an extraordinary footballer. It’s a shame that he hasn’t been able to add goals to his game.”

Diego MILITO wants Sergio ROMERO at Racing Club

Transfer

Roy Nemer

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January 2, 2018

16

Diego MILITO wants Sergio ROMERO at Racing Club

Diego MILITO wants Sergio ROMERO of Manchester United at Racing Club.

Yes, you read that correctly. Inter legend Diego MILITO (who now has a general position at his beloved Racing Club) is looking to add some reinforcements at the club. The star name? Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio ROMERO.

ROMERO is currently playing back-up to David DE GEA in Manchester and MILITO’s hopes are that he can lure the Argentina number 1 to the club for regular playing time ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The two know each other fairly well having been team mates with the Argentina National Team, most notably at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Chiquito (Sergio’s nickname) has already been linked to a move to River Plate, however, that deal looks to have fallen through.

Another name being mentioned is that of Rodrigo PALACIO, whom MILITO knows well during his time in Italy.

Jorge SAMPAOLI to travel to Europe to meet players

Latest News

Roy Nemer

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January 2, 2018

7

Jorge SAMPAOLI to travel to Europe to meet players

The new year meets more work for Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI who will be travelling to Europe.

A new trip to Europe for SAMPAOLI is on the cards as preparation continues for the FIFA World Cup this summer. SAMPAOLI will be travelling to the old world with Sebastian BECCACECE and Jorge DESIO (part of his staff).

Four countries, 10 cities for Jorge SAMPAOLI

Four countries, 10 cities for the Argentinian coach as he’ll be traveling to Spain, England, Italy and France. The cities? Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Turin, Milan, Roma and Paris to meet Argentinian players to discuss upcoming friendly matches and the FIFA World Cup.

It’s being rumored that Juventus striker Gonzalo HIGUAIN is expected to receive the green light from the coach for the upcoming friendly matches in March.