Lucas BIGLIA is a doubt for Argentina’s upcoming World Cup Qualifying matches.
The injury:
BIGLIA, who was named in Edgardo BAUZA’s team for this month’s World Cup Qualifying matches, picked up a knock during their Serie A match against Bologna. BIGLIA had to be substituted off for his team during the match and is currently having tests done on his calf.
Lucas Biglia picked up an injury against Bologna.
The results have yet to come out but Argentina play two big matches later this month and will need everyone to be at 100% in order to have a chance to win.
Argentina National Team coach commented on Argentina’s upcoming World Cup Qualifying matches, talking about Lionel Messi, Mauro Icardi, Gago and more.
Edgardo BAUZA took to the radio to discuss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup Qualifying matches. With the World Cup Qualifiers upon us this month, there’s going to be lots of talk as to who will play and who won’t for Argentina. The discussion has started with the coach himself, possibly hinting that there could be a change in goalkeepers for the match against Bolivia.
Lionel MESSI:
“I imagine MESSI will play against Chile and in La Paz against Bolivia. You have to find the place with which MESSI feels more comfortable. Chile have beaten him a lot. The match against Chile is key. Winning 9 out of 9 at home will leave you with chances to qualify.”
Mauro ICARDI:
“ICARDI is a finisher. When something happens to HIGUAIN or PRATTO, I’ll call him up. There’s a lot of your colleagues (media) who always break my balls with ICARDI.”
Fernando GAGO:
“If GAGO continues his recovery and continues to play at this level, he’s a player that can be called-up.”
The goalkeeping situation:
“Against Chile, ROMERO will start. Against Bolivia, we’ll see…”
The rest of the team:
“DYBALA and AGUERO have been much better in the last few weeks. I’m happy with ROJO’s form. We’re still following LAVEZZI. He’s a player that can change a match in 30 minutes.”
Angel Di Maria needed an oxygen tank last time Argentina played in La Paz.
On the matches:
“No one is able to play in La Paz. Some are better in altitude than others. If I have to mark more players, I’d put MERCADO as a right back; if I have to attack, I’d put ZABALETA. We can score a goal at any moment but we need to be solid. It’s going to be very difficult to replace this generation of players.”
FC Barcelona look to make history and turn around a 4-0 first leg loss in the Champions League while Benfica carry a 1 goal lead and look to qualify.
FC Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain
The definition of having it all to do will be seen on Wednesday as Barcelona will try to do something no other club in the history of the Champions League has done. Turn around a 4-0 loss in the second leg. In 2012, the Catalan club did what seemed to be the impossible and came back from being 2-0 down against AC Milan to qualify with a 4-0 win. At the time, no club had come back from a 2-0 loss in the modern day Champions League.
Lionel MESSI is obviously set to start up front alongside Luis SUAREZ and Neymar but it remains to be seen if Javier MASCHERANO will start in the back with Gerard PIQUE or if it would be Samuel UMTITI.
For the Parisiens, Angel DI MARIA, who ran riot in the first leg, appears to be a major doubt as he seems to be struggling with muscular problems. Per reports, it seems very likely that he would start the second leg, a shame for Paris Saint-Germain as he always seems to step it up against Barcelona.
Angel Di Maria, who scored in the first leg, is likely to miss out on the return match.
As for the reigning La Liga champions, it’s straight forward. Score a minimum of 4 goals to have the chance to qualify.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Benfica
Traling by a goal down, the Germans will put their 100% home record against Portuguese opposition on the line as they try to qualify against Benfica in the second leg. However the Germans will have it all to do as Benfica have won their last seven matches in all competitions, a form which includes a 1-0 win against Dortmund. For Benfica, Eduardo SALVIO seems the only Argentine player likely to start.
Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich
For Arsenal, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano MARTINEZ will be on the bench as Arsenal try and pull off the impossible, similar to Barcelona. After suffering a 5-1 loss at the Allianz in Germany, Arsenal will want to turn it around in London but qualification seems unlikely.
Ever BANEGA and Mauro ICARDI both scored in Inter’s victory.
It was a match dominated by Ever BANEGA who had a sublime game which included a goal off a free kick with captain Mauro ICARDI scoring a penalty as Inter picked up a 5-1 win against Cagliari. The Inter captain has now scored 19 goals this season while also adding 8 assists to his name in all competitions.
Mauro Icardi celebrates his goal for Inter against Cagliari.
Lionel MESSI and Marcos ROJO both scored for their clubs on Saturday.
In Spain, Lionel MESSI scored twice and assisted for FC Barcelona in their 5-0 win against Celta de Vigo. MESSI’s first goal was a goal only he can pull off as he dribble passedd a few Celta players before shooting on the edge of the area and scoring. His second was similar to his first where he dribbled past a few players and scored. Those two goals bring MESSI to the top of La Liga’s scoring charts with 23 goals ahead of fellow team mate Luis SUAREZ who has 20 goals.
For Celta de Vigo, Facundo RONCAGLIA and Gustavo CABRAL both started and played the full 90 minutes for Celta.
In England, Marcos ROJO (who has been in excellent form this season playing as a CB) scored his first goal of the season in Mancheser United’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.
Marcos Rojo celebrates his goal for Manchester United against Bournemouth.
Lionel MESSI’s goals:
All our 5 goals against Celta yesterday night with commentating from Ray Hudson.. This is an absolute joy to watch.pic.twitter.com/wZ0LWpeZpm
