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Edgardo BAUZA on why he won’t call-up Mauro ICARDI, more

Edgardo BAUZA commented about Mauro ICARDI, Paulo DYBALA, the World Cup Qualifiers and more.

Speaking on Argentine television, Argentina National Team coach Edgardo BAUZA has stated the reason why he doesn’t want to call-up Mauro ICARDI. Here’s what he had to say:

BAUZA on ICARDI:

“I don’t want to bring in ICARDI to have him sit on the bench. My center forwards are HIGUAIN and PRATTO. DYBALA in the final 30 meters of the pitch is very unbalancing. Today, we don’t know how much he can grow. HIGUAIN and DYBALA understand each other very well at Juventus”

Lucas Pratto Argentina
Lucas Pratto and Gonzalo Higuain are Edgardo Bauza’s center forwards

“I want the league to start for us to look at players. After that, what happens in the AFA has nothing to do with us. For CARUZZO (defender Matias CARUZZO of San Lorenzo), I know him, I don’t have to watch him. I asked the directors to play at the Bombonera but they told me it would be better to play at the Monumental.”

“The match against Chile is vital. I’m thinking about the two different matches against Chile and Bolivia. I know about the altitude and what it can cause. Five or six midfielders. We have to have the ball. The amount of matches OTAMENDI has played is very important, just as much as the one’s ROMERO has played. MOURINHO is very comfortable with ROJO as a center back”

At this point, it is becoming increasingly clear that Edgardo BAUZA simply does not want Mauro ICARDI on the team, not even on the bench. Regarding Matias CARUZZO of San Lorenzo, BAUZA’s comments can be seen as a positive or simply another BAUZA comment in which he doesn’t follow through and call-up the player.

Lucas PRATTO, Alan RUIZ score in Brazil and Portugal

Lucas PRATTO and Alan RUIZ both scored for their clubs over the weekend.

Making his Sao Paulo debut, it took Lucas PRATTO only nine minutes to score his first goal for the club in their 2-2 draw against Mirassol. The 28 year old signed from Atletico Mineiro and instantly made an impact as he won a header which was sent into the area and opened the scoring.

In Portugal, Alan RUIZ continued his goal scoring form giving Sporting a 1-0 win against Rio Ave. A nice move started off by WILLIAMS who’s pass went to GELSON and his shot was stopped but it was RUIZ who was first to the loose ball and scored off the rebound.

Lucas PRATTO’s goal:

Alan RUIZ’s goal:

Leandro PAREDES scores half volley goal for Roma in win

Leandro PAREDES continues to impress for Roma.

One of the goals of the weekend, if not the goal of the weekend, was scored by Roma’s Leandro PAREDES in their 4-1 win against Torino. After having come back from his European trip, Edgardo BAUZA stated that Mauro ICARDI would not be called-up. With his team already 2-0 up, PAREDES decided to hit the ball on the half volley and in the process he scored his third goal in the league this season.

Leandro Paredes celebrating a goal
Leandro Paredes celebrating a goal

PAREDES and the National Team:

We hope that BAUZA was watching this match as there’s nothing much more PAREDES can do to earn a call-up.

Lionel MESSI saves Barcelona’s blushes with double over Leganes

Lionel MESSI earned Barcelona a draw with a last minute penalty giving the team a 2-1 win against Leganes.

It wasn’t a good week for Barcelona and it looked to be going from bad to worse for the Catalan club until MESSI slotted the ball into the back of the net in the 90th minute. After having suffered a 4-0 loss to Angel DI MARIA’s PSG in the Champions League earlier, Barcelona was struggling at home to bottom half of the table Leganes.

Messi against Leganes:

Barcelona’s number 10 opened the scoring in the first few minutes following an outside of the foot pass by Luis SUAREZ and it looked like it was smooth sailing for Barcelona. However as the match went on, Leganes started gaining momentum and equalized in the second half. The match was heading towards a draw until Neymar got taken down and a penalty was awarded for the home team. Up stepped Lionel MESSI and a well taken penalty kick handed Barcelona the victory. But such has been the week for MESSI, he didn’t celebrate.

Messi Leganes
Messi after the match against Leganes

Marcelo BIELSA to manage Lille

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Marcelo BIELSA will be managing French club Lille next season.

An agreement has been reached between Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille and former Argentina national team manager, Marcelo BIELSA. The club’s director of football Marc INGLA has just made the announcement via the club’s website reporting that BIELSA will be taking over as coach for the 2017-2018 season.

Lille, Marseille and Lazio

BIELSA will sign a two year deal which will take effect July 1, 2017, confirming BIELSA’s return to French football. His previous stint in France was with Marseille which lasted for only one season. He had later agreed to manag Serie A club Lazio but quit his job 48 hours later, never actually taking the pitch with the team. BIELSA, now 61, will take over his 11th team, nine of which have been clubs and two National Teams. Here’s his breakdown:

Newell’s Old Boys (1990-1992)
Atlas (1992-1994)
Cmerica (1995-1996)
Velez Sarsfield (1997-1998)
Espanyol (1998)
Argentina (1998-2004)
Chile (2007-2011)
Athletic Bilbao (2011-2013)
Marseille (2014-2015)
Lazio (2016)

Marcelo Bielsa to coach Lille as of July
Marcelo Bielsa to coach Lille as of July

Statement from general director:

“Marcelo BIELSA is without a doubt one of the most respected and most influential coaches in the world and attracting him to Lille is a great satisfaction. Also a show of proof at the club’s ambitions. It’s not a secret, Gerard LOPEZ and Marcelo BIELSA are close and have been talking for quiet some time about this opportunity. We’ve always thought that BIELSA was the best one (for the job), as much for his football philosophy and experience, his work ethic, his professionalism, building with us a project and Lille’s future victories. We answered all his questions in order for him to join us. Even if we are absolutely concentrated on the upcoming matches and the highly important objectives for the end of the season with Franck PASSI, it’s very big good news that we announce it today for Lille’s tomorrow.”

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