Home Blog Page 1331

Juan Sebastian VERON: “Some journalists don’t help”

44

Juan Sebastian VERON spoke about Marcelo BIELSA, Lionel MESSI, Mauro ICARDI and the Argentina National Team.

Former Argentina international Juan Sebastian VERON commented about Marcelo BIELSA’s influence on his generation. In an interview with AS, he also spoke about the current generation of players, the situation involving Mauro ICARDI and more. Here’s what he had to say:

Is BIELSA’s influence important on your generation?
“Yes. But it’s also true that most of us like POCHETTINO, BERIZO, SIMEONE had a lot of experience with great teams, strong clubs with proper management and great coaches. Every one of us chose our path. El Cholo (SIMEONE) will move vases to explain tactics. Me, I’ve always been interested in marketing and managing clubs. Today, ZANETTI works with Inter and FIFA. Hopefully one day we can all reuinite and contribute our knowledge to Argentine football.”

Are you afraid that Argentina with MESSI don’t qualify for the World Cup?
“Yes, it’s a delicate situation. This generation has less and less time to get a championship. And Argentine football isn’t taking advantage of this generation the way we should. We’re not taking advantage of MESSI, AGUERO, DYBALA and HIGUAIN. We can’t rely on a genius, we have to create something to support the genius. And today, that support doesn’t exist.”

What do you think of ICARDI’s situation?
“I have my thoughts. I know what happened. But it’s a sporting question and you have to analyze it. If he’s doing well at Inter and he’s in good form, I don’t see why they don’t call him up.”

Do you talk with MESSI?
“Yes. It’s sporadic but we still talk. He’s doing really well with Barcelona. He has team mates who are finishers like NEYMAR and SUAREZ, who significantly support a MESSI who’s a playmaker. Leo’s grown a lot, I see him participating more. But after the frustration and suspension, I haven’t called him. Same thing when he retired but it makes me happy that Leo is still wearing the Argentina National Team shirt.”

Why is MESSI not understood in Argentina?
“For his exit. Here, people are in their armchairs criticizing him. And unfortunately, some journalists don’t help. I think that fortunately, there are who, who although are late, have understood the magnitude of having a player like him with the National Team. They’ll always have it against him for not having played in Argentina.”

Do you think one day people will miss MESSI’s National Team?
“This generation is just missing the last step. They’ve reached three finals… It’s cost them to get there. I played three World Cup’s. It’s very difficult.”

Mauro ICARDI: I know BAUZA wanted to call me

13

In a pre-match press conference on the upcoming Derby della Madonnina, Mauro ICARDI was confronted on questions pertaining to Edgardo BAUZA, Argentina and the much talked about photo of Maxi LOPEZ together with Lionel MESSI and Javier MASCHERANO (reports have emerged that the photo was uploaded on social media by Wanda NARA, no need for introduction here).

About BAUZA and the National Team:
“I know BAUZA wanted to call me for the last qualifiers. I know he spoke to Javier ZANETTI about this possibility and I have seen the messages. But in the end, it didn’t happen and now he is no longer the coach. Let’s wait and see who will be the next coach of the National Team. The citation should be based on how well you do for your club, but I’m still calm about it”.

About the Maxi LOPEZ photo:
“That is already a closed topic for me, my private life is not something which I’m going to talk about. I’m calm and I’m not talking about issues that have nothing to do with football”.

Lionel MESSI invited to defend himself against FIFA suspension

15

Lionel MESSI has been invited to defend his FIFA sanction.

The date has been set and Lionel MESSI has under one month to prepare his case. FIFA have invited Lionel MESSI to defend himelf and to try and lower his four game suspenion for Argentina. MESSI, who has already served one of the four matches he has been banned from, will on May 4, meet with FIFA directors to try and lower his ban. AFA president spoke about it all, here’s what he had to say:

TAPIA on Lionel MESSI ban:

“FIFA have called MESSI to defend himself on Thursday, May 4 for the four match ban be received following the match against Chile. It would be very important that he attends it with AFA lawyers in order to help lower the ban. It’s for that reason that tomorrow (Thursday), I will be travelling to Europe to convince him.”

Regarding the new Argentina National Team coach, TAPIA said the following:

“The idea behind my travel will only be to see MESSI. Regarding the new National Team coach, we are calm because we have time.”

Marcelo TINELLI, who was expected to travel with TAPIA will be staying in Argentina.

Paulo DYBALA scores for Juventus against Barcelona

Paulo DYBALA scored twice for Juventus in their 3-0 win against Barcelona.

It was a battle of the heavyweights when Juventus hosted Barcelona in the Champions League first leg Quarter Final match. It was also the first time Lionel MESSI played against Paulo DYBALA. The current star of the Argentina National Team going up against the future star of the team.

Paulo DYBALA:

It was the young jewel which stole the show as he scored twice for Juventus. All four Argentine’s took part in the match with Lionel MESSI and Javier MASCHERANO starting for the Spanish champions and Paulo DYBALA and Gonzalo HIGUAIN starting for Juventus.

Gonzalo HIGUAIN had a few chances in the match, his first coming early after he directed a completely free header towards the Barcelona goalkeeper. Javier MASCHERANO started as a defensive midfielder and struggled to keep pace. He left DYBALA completely unmarked on the second goal while he was outjumped and outmuscled for the third goal.

Lionel MESSI could and should have had two assists after playing the pass of the match and even tournament to Andres INIESTA, who’s shot was saved by the legendary BUFFON. The second was a pass which found Luis SUAREZ but his shot went wide.

https://youtu.be/c7iLpReAvwc

Jorge SAMPAOLI’s lawyer in talks with AFA

40

Jorge SAMPAOLI’s lawyer is reportedly already in talks with the AFA.

Per a report by Radio La Red, current Sevilla coach Jorge SAMPAOLI’s lawyer is speaking with the AFA regarding him becoming the new coach of the Argentina National Team. Furthermore, it appears as though Lionel SCALONI (who was part of the 2006 Argentina World Cup team and played with both Javier MASCHERANO and Lionel MESSI), will be part of SAMPAOLI’s Argentina coaching staff. Matias MANNA would also be part of the staff.

As we reported yesterday, Edgardo BAUZA was fired and is no longer the coach of the Argentina National Team. Chiqui TAPIA and Marcelo TINELLI will be flying to Europe on Thursday where they will speak with not only SAMPAOLI but with Diego SIMEONE as well.