After scoring for Argentina on Tuesday, Lucas PRATTO is back with his club scoring.
Edgardo BAUZA’s number 9 is continuing his goalscoring form, this time with his club. PRATTO scored for Atletico Mineiro in their 1-1 draw against Palmeiras.
Lionel MESSI: “We will not speak to the press anymore”
All 26 players were present at the press conference after Argentina’s 3-0 win.
The team held a press conference after the win where Lionel MESSI lead it and with a microphone in hand, had this to say:
“We’re here to let you know that we will no longer be communicating with the press. The accusations that were made towards LAVEZZI were huge. We regret that it has to be this way but we have no other choice. We know that many of you don’t play that game.”
“We were accused a lot. No respect was being shown and we never said anything. But this accusation against LAVEZZI was it. If we don’t stop it today, we’ll never stop it. We know that you will continue to criticize us, that’s fine. However, some got into our personal lives.”
“We wanted to say this in front of everyone and not release a statement. We didn’t want to hide from anyone. These past two weeks were filled with personal aggression, not football criticism. You can criticize us for winning or losing, but when you get personal we will draw the line.”
What happened was some in the media accused LAVEZZI of smoking marijuana yesterday and stated that as the reason why he did not make the bench.
Lionel MESSI steals the show as Argentina pick up win
Lionel MESSI did what only Lionel MESSI can do as he lead Argentina to a 3-0 win.
In what can only be described as a do or die match for Argentina, Lionel MESSI had a goal (one of his very best) and two assists as Argentina got a massive 3-0 win against Colombia. The captain lead by example with a memorable performance just when his country needed him the most.
His goal was of the highest class, a fantastic free kick which hit the crossbar and went in. His first assist was very similar to the one he gave Gonzalo HIGUAIN at the 2011 Copa America against Uruguay. A cut in from the right, a swirvling cross and it was Lucas PRATTO who put it in the net to give Argentina a 2-0 lead going into the second half. The third goal had MESSI’s fingerprints all over it. Receiving the ball, he flicked it with a backheel to Enzo PEREZ who put it through the legs of the Colombian player (PEREZ lost the ball in the process), Lionel won it back, passed it to DI MARIA who scored the third of the match.
Lionel Messi’s free kick goal for Argentina against Colombia. pic.twitter.com/xAeBHmhrHa
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) November 15, 2016
Lucas Pratto’s goal for Argentina against Colombia with Lionel Messi’s assist. pic.twitter.com/Rfthqeh2Yk
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) November 15, 2016
#Eliminatorias. Toda de #Messi para que la #SeleccionArgentina liquide el partido y #DiMaria se saque la mufa pic.twitter.com/eNBY9BiTBP
— 442 (@442) November 16, 2016
Lionel Messi’s free kick in slow motion. pic.twitter.com/e5J3kFlxNQ
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) November 16, 2016
PREVIEW & STARTING LINEUP CONFIRMED!
Hey everyone,
Here is the official lineup for tonight’s match VS. Colombia. Â Hopefully, our boys pull off a win tonight and BAUZA surprises us a little. Â Any predictions out there? Who will be the man of the match? PRATTO? MESSI? DI MARIA? Â Hopefully it’s a match that brings back pride to our national team.
As always, VAMOS ARGENTINA!!
Three players left off bench, Argentina starting line-up
Ezequiel LAVEZZI, Mateo MUSACCHIO and Julio BUFFARINI will miss out on Argentina’s match.
Reports coming out of Argentina are that LAVEZZI, MUSACCHIO and BUFFARINI will not make the bench as Argentina play Colombia tonight. the starting eleven is as we reported:
ROMERO; MERCADO, OTAMENDI, FUNES MORI, MAS; BANEGA, BIGLIA, MASCHERANO, DI MARIA; MESSI, HIGUAIN
This would be the same line-up as the one that started the Copa America final, with MAS replacing ROJO and Lucas PRATTO for Gonzalo HIGUAIN.