Home Blog Page 1343

Hugo TOCALLI would like to go back to Argentina team

7

Hugo TOCALLI has stated that he would like to go back to the Argentina National Team.

The winning coach with the Argentina U20 team at the World Cup in 2007 in Canada has spoken about the Argentina youth team, forming players for the senior team, his work alongside Jose PEKERMAN and more.. TOCALLI, who was also part of Jose PEKERMAN’s U20 team staff, spoke to TyC Sports and had this to say:

Hugo Tocalli Argentina
Hugo Tocalli speaking about the Argentina youth team.

Hugo TOCALLI’s comments:

“There shouldn’t be anyone who would not want to go back to the National Team. I would like to. I had 14 magnificent years there.”

“We were getting results when the AFA was hiring coaches who worked with the youth with the same system in mind. The youth teams have to provide players to the senior team.”

“TINELLI has asked me to see him regarding youth football. It could be that the meeting is for something else or because he wants my advise. But Argentine football needs to work on the future and they have to take it very seriously.”

“We have to train players for the senior team and not just for the results. Here, forming youth players is being hurt due to economic problems. Despite all of the problems going on in the country, our youth are distracted by football.”

“For us (himself and Jose PEKERMAN), we were never intersted in being champions at any category but to form players for the senior team. But the results were very positive.”

“When we went to Canada (for the 2007 U20 World Cup), within four months, Sergio ROMERO, Gabriel MERCADO, Ever BANEGA, Angel DI MARIA and Sergio AGUERO were part of the senior team. That’s the experience we have to look for and not go crazy for the results.”

Sergio ROMERO saves, Marcos ROJO eats banana for Manchester United

Sergio ROMERO pulled off some key saves for Manchester United while Marcos ROJO was seen eating a banana on the pitch.

Argentina’s starting goalkeeper Sergio ROMERO got a rare start for his club as he was in the line-up in Manchester United’s 1-0 win against FC Rostov. One of the saves was off a free kick late in the match. Michael OWEN and Owen HARGREAVES, who were pundits on BT Sport for the match, had this to say about ROMERO (it starts at 7:41), who was voted Player of the Match.

Sergio Romero Manchester United
Sergio Romero was voted as Manchester United’s Player of the Match.

ROMERO’s Argentina team mate Marcos ROJO was also in the starting line-up and had the camera on him for a few seconds as he was seen eating a banana on the pitch.

Marcos Rojo United
Marcos Rojo eats a banana while on the pitch for Manchester United.

Sergio ROMERO’s saves:

Marcos ROJO’s incident:

Edgardo BAUZA: “I feel like a winner”

Edgardo BAUZA spoke to FIFA.com that he has pictured himself on the wall at the entrance of the complex where Argentina’s coaching staff report for work everyday; the same wall which contains a large photographs of Argentina’s two World Cup winning manager; Cesar Luis MENOTTI and Carlos BILARDO.

“Ever since I walked in here I’ve pictured my photo hanging there too, I know it’s not easy because you have to win the World Cup to get up there, but I wouldn’t have got into this if I wasn’t thinking of that. All I’m focusing on is setting up the team to be champions.”

Upcoming matches:

“I wouldn’t say that it’s a final, but it is a decisive match. I need to take the team away from the last two finals they played in. They didn’t lose them. They just lost on penalties. There’s always been rivalry with Chile but we need to boil it down to this one game, which is an important one against a direct rival. The only thing that should be in our minds is that if we beat them, we overtake them.”

The match against Bolivia:

“It depends on a few things. We’ll have to see how we do against Chile, which will also be a factor. The other problem is that we’ll be going into what is a very spicy match with 12 players on yellow cards. We’re going to wait and see.”

For more info about the interview, you can read it here.

CONMEBOL honours Argentina legend Gabriel “Batigol” BATISTUTA

2

There was never anything like him back then and none like him ever since for Argentina. He truly made the No.9 shirt his own for doing nothing but….

GOALS!!!

GOALS!!!

GOALS!!!

As part of its centenary celebration, CONMEBOL (the South American football Confederation) has decided to honour Gabriel BATISTUTA by giving him a replica of the Copa America trophy.

CONMEBOL’s President Alejandro DOMINGUEZ said that:
“We believe that this is a recognition that for the trajectory of a player and a person who is part of the history of South American football”.

Gabriel BATISTUTA:

“Undoubtedly this is a great surprise, I’ve always wanted the replica of a trophy that means a lot for my career, for my teammates and for my country. I’m excited and grateful to CONMEBOL for this tribute”.

Batigol as he is known to his adoring fans, has won the tournament twice in his career. The first came in 1991 in Chile where he also finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 6 goals. He won it again two years later in Ecuador, scoring twice in the final (which turned out be Argentina’s last major trophy).

Paulo DYBALA scores for Juventus in the Champions League

Paulo DYBALA scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win for Juventus against FC Porto in the Champions League.

Cordoba’s favorite son Paulo DYBALA was on target from the penalty spot to give his team the win and advance to the next round of the Champions League. DYBALA scored in the 42nd minute as Juventus eliminated FC Porto 3-0 on aggregate.

Paulo Dybala penalty
Paulo Dybala scores his penalty for Juventus.

DYBALA also picked up the Player of the Match award. He has now been involved in 9 goals in his last 8 matches across all competitions with 6 goals and 3 assists.

Paulo DYBALA’s goal: