Lisandro MAGALLAN is being linked to Ajax in the Netherlands.
The legendary Dutch club is apparently interested in signing Argentine centre-back Lisandro MAGALLAN. The 24 year old Boca Juniors player was reportedly being watched by Ajax scout Henk VELDMATE for a few weeks and impressed.
Per a report, the club would be willing to offer 5 million for the player, with the bid coming in the January transfer window. For those who remember, MAGALLAN who was part of the 2016 Argentina Olympic squad. The rumor was being repoted both in the Netherlands as well as in Argentina, with the report in Argentina coming from TNT Sports.
Franco DI SANTO was on the scoresheet for the German club.
The former Chelsea and Werder Bremen man found the back of the net for Schalke in their 3-1 win against SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the German Cup. The 28 year old scored a header in the 26th minute and was emotionally overcome by it as he dropped to the ground, hands over his eyes as his team mates all embraced him. The possible reason being that it was his first goal scored in 598 days. All the best to the Argentina international!
Franco Di Santo goal:
All the best to DI SANTO for the rest of the season!
Manchester City coach Pep GUARDIOLA couldn’t stop praising Nicolas OTAMENDI.
Most of the time, it’s the attacking players which get all the spotlight. But not in this case. GUARDIOLA singled out Nicolas OTAMENDI as he was full of praise for the defender. Last season wasn’t the easiest of campaign’s for OTAMENDI following a move from Valencia back in 2015 but the Argentinian is slowly changing people’s minds. Speaking to reporters prior to Manchester City’s 3-0 win against Burnley (where both OTAMENDI and his compatriot Sergio AGUERO scored), here’s what GUARDIOLA had to say:
Pep GUARDIOLA praises Nicolas OTAMENDI
“I had a lot of doubts whether Nico would play or not against Stoke City because he travelled from Argentina with 10 days with a lot of pressure to qualify for the World Cup in his mind.
“He played in difficult conditions in Ecuador, travelled and arrived the day before. He is one of the players with the strongest mentality that I met in my life.
“He’s a guy who just wants to learn, in terms of ball possession, because always he was strong in the air. He really wins duels, which is necessary here in England, everywhere, but especially here in England, and how he has the courage to play. Even when he makes mistakes it doesn’t matter.
“I said before that if he loses a game he says ‘Give me the ball again and let’s play,’ and I give a lot of value to this kind of thing.
“I’m really impressed with the level he has and I’m so happy with him. He’s not afraid at all, it doesn’t matter where he plays, he has a lot of experience.
“He’s such an important guy for us. The last month, well I think all season, he has played outstanding.”
Nicolas Otamendi celebrates his goal for Manchester City. Photo via FPL.
Nicolas OTAMENDI returned the praise, here’s what he had to say about his coach:
Nicolas OTAMENDI praises Pep GUARDIOLA
“After the match, we are obliged to eat together. Nutrition and rest are important because we play continuously.
“GUARDIOLA is quite picky with diet and not only that: He tells us that we all have to learn English. This is because team meetings are in this language, and in December I have an exam. GUARDIOLA does all these things so that we can perform in the best possible way. These things help the team function.
“He is omnipresent and not only for football. He always asks how things are going with out family and everything else.”
It was a memorable day for Sergio Aguero as he became the all time (joint) leading goalscorer for Manchester City.
Two Argentinian players for Pep GUARDIOLA’s Manchester City on Saturday meant two Argentinian goalscorers. Both Sergio AGUERO and Nicolas OTAMENDI (who also made Argentina’s latest squad) were in the starting eleven and scored in City’s 3-0 win against Burnley. AGUERO’s record tying goal was a penalty kick, a well placed shot into the bottom corner of the goal. Kun had previously missed 5 of his last 14 penalty kicks for City. With his goal, AGUERO became City’s joint all time leading goalscorer along with club legend Eric BROOK, as both stand on 177 goals.
Nicolas OTAMENDI scored the second goal of the match, a towering, thunderous header into the corner of the goal.
“He was out for three games. He played minutes today and maybe he will on Tuesday. It was important for him to equal the record as soon as possible. When he breaks it, it will be something special.
“He should pay a tribute to us! He should invite us to dinner maybe! One more goal… it’s going to happen sooner or later. It is so important for him and the Club. We are so happy to be in this moment with him”
Argentina will play a friendly match against Nigeria in November.
The Albiceleste’s second match in November has been confirmed and it’ll be against African country Nigeria. The match will take place on November 14 in Krasnodar. There were also rumors that the team would play Croatia however that didn’t happen. With Russia already confirmed, these matches for Argentina next month are the following:
Argentina vs. Russia on November 11 in Moscow
Argentina vs. Nigeria on November 14 in Krasnodar
The last time Argentina played the Nigerians was in the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup where Argentina won 3-2 with Lionel MESSI scoring twice and Marcos ROJO scoring. Long time Argentina fans will also remember having the Nigerians in the same group at the 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cup’s.
