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Claudio TAPIA confirms Argentina matches against Spain and Italy

Roy Nemer
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22

AFA president Cladio TAPIA confirmed Argentina’s friendly matches for the month of March.

Lots of talk had been going around the past few months as to which teams Argentina would be playing come March. Spain, Italy, Morocco and even Serbia were possible opponents being thrown around in the media. However, on Monday, AFA president Claudio TAPIA confirmed that Jorge SAMPAOLI’s men would be playing against both Spain and Italy in March.

AFA President Claudio TAPIA:

“In March, we will play two friendly matches against two very prestigious teams. There was one which was already signed with Italy and due to contractual obligations we must respect, otherwise it would be an economic loss for the AFA. It’s for that reason that we will play them on the 23rd of that month (March, which would be in Basel, Switzerland). The second match is against Spain on the 27th. They are two very important national teams and will help us prepare. Spain qualified for the World Cup and we know what they represent in football.

“The early preparation for the World Cup will be fundamental. The first phase will be in Argentina because we know that once the tournaments (leagues) are over, the players will travel to see their families and then they will stay in Ezeiza until May 30. We will play a farewell friendly match that day and then we will go to Barcelona where we have everything agreed with the head of the club to stay there.”

TAPIA also mentioned that on June 8 there will be another match prior to travelling to Russia for the World Cup. This would mean that Argentina would play two matches in March. The first against Italy on March 23rd and the second on March 27th against Spain. This would be followed by a friendly match on May 30 and another on June 8 before the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Angel CORREA, Sergio AGUERO and more score on Saturday

Roy Nemer
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6

Angel CORREA, Sergio AGUERO, Guido CARRILLO and Ezequiel PONCE all scored on Saturday.

Atletico Madrid continue to make a push for La Liga as Diego SOMEONE’s men picked up a 2-0 victory against fellow Madrid based team Getafe. Angel CORREA scored the first goal of the match, his fifth of the season. CORREA got on the end of an Antoine GRIEZMANN pass as the Argentinian hit the ball with the outside of his foot and rolled it into the net.

Sergio AGUERO’s goalscoring form continues, this time in the FA Cup as he scored twice in Manchester City’s 4-1 win against Burnley. AGUERO netted two goals in two minutes, the second being a work of art as he and the German Ilkay GUNDOGAN combined flawlessly. With Brazilian Gabriel JESUS out, AGUERO is surely set to continue to start for Manchester City.

After the match, Manchester City boss Pep GUARDIOLA was full of praise, having this to say:

Pep GUARDIOLA on Sergio AGUERO

“I have to say is an honour to have Sergio under my command. He is the kind of player who always wants to play, so I can understand that sometimes he is sad when he doesn’t play, but I want him to be happy.”

From Spain to England and now to France, Guido CARRILLO scored a hattrick for Monaco in their Coupe de France match against Moulins-Yzeure. CARRILLO opened the scoring less than 1 minute in with Yzeure making it 1-1 following a penalty. JOVETIC made it 2-1 for Monaco and HARDOUIN added Yzeure’s second in the 44th minute.

The second half started the same way the first half did, with a goal by CARRILLO in the 49th minute. He then went on to add the final goal to complete his hattrick as Monaco got the 5-2 win.

Still in the Coupe de France, Ezequiel PONCE scored for Lille in their 4-2 win against Le Mans.

Angel CORREA goal

Sergio AGUERO goals

Guido CARRILLO goals

Ezequiel PONCE goal

Mauro ICARDI and Gio SIMEONE score in Serie A draw

Roy Nemer
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33

Both Mauro ICARDI and Gio SIMEONE scored on Friday in a 1-1 draw involving Fiorentina and Inter.

Mauro ICARDI made it 18 goals in 20 matches in Serie A this season after he scored for Inter to give them a 1-0 lead away against Fiorentina. ICARDI’s goal came in the 55th minute when his headed shot was stoppe by the goalkeeper but the Argentina number 9 got his own rebound to give his team the advantage.

The goal was ICARDI’s 100th league goal of his career. He scored 90 goals for Inter and 10 goals for his previous club Sampdoria.

There was a second goal in the match and it came very late in the 91st minute courtesy of Giovanni SIMEONE. The opposite number 9 scored his seventh of the season in 20 matches after he was left alone in the area and his shot went high into the back of the net.

The draw takes Inter to third place with 42 points but AS Roma are hot on their trails with 39 points and 18 matches played. For Gabriel BATISTUTA’s old team, the draw takes them level with Udinese on 28 points (8th in Serie A) with Alejandro GOMEZ’s Atalanta right behind them on 27 points in 9th position.

Goals by Mauro ICARDI and Gio SIMEONE

Alfio BASILE: “1994 World Cup, my greatest disappointment”

Roy Nemer
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9

Former Argentina National Team manager Alfio BASILE had a lot to say in a latest interview.

One of the most interesting characters in Argentinian football, Alfio BASILE did fairly well for himself as a character. On top of being the only person to ever coach both Diego MARADONA and Lionel MESSI, BASILE won four titles with Argentina and quiet a few with Boca Juniors and even Racing Club. A back to back Copa America winner (was also the last coach to ever win a trophy with Argentina), as well as the winner of the first ever Confederations Cup, BASILE managed to squeeze in an Artemio FRANCHI trophy in 1993 for his country.

Now retired, BASILE spoke to Oral Deportiva about Lionel MESSI, the World Cup, the 1994 World Cup and more. Here’s what he had to say:

Alfio BASILE on Manchester City

“Out of today’s teams, the one that attracts me the most is Manchester City.”

Alfio BASILE on Lionel MESSI, Argentina and the 2018 FIFA World Cup

“If the 10 (MESSI) is good, he can beat anyone; but if he’s not, it’s just another team, like is the case with Barcelona.

“I don’t know Iceland but we can’t be afraid of them. Nigeria, offensively, are phenomenons who play in the Premier League. Croatia plays well, they’re brave.

“SAMPAOLI is probably the only Argentinian coach I haven’t had the opportunity to meet.

“In Argentina, we have three goalscorers (HIGUAIN, AGUERO and ICARDI). I always think of HIGUAIN and AGUERO, who have been in Europe for a few years now. You can’t argue with AGUERO’s case. With MASCHERANO, you have to have him at the World Cup for experience and because he’s important for the group, but we’ll have to see if he plays in China.”

Alfio BASILE on Fernando GAGO

“I would look for a replacement but just as much, I’d wait. In my National Team, he always played, hopefully he’s good for the World Cup.”

Alfio BASILE on the 1994 FIFA World Cup

“It was the greatest disappointment of my footballing career. I was convinced we were going to be world champions. After that, I wasn’t able to get my revenge.

“MARADONA, 3 months before the World Cup, was at 104 kilograms and with the trainer, we got him to 74 kilograms. Diego was flying. After that came the ephedrine which does not make you a better footballer. Everything was said about Diego’s suspension but it was ephedrine. I read the FIFA report.

“When HAVELANGE saw how MARADONA was, he said “they’re going to be world champions” but it was the last chance he had that Brazil become champions under his direction at FIFA. In 1994, we were going to play the final against Italy.

Alfio BASILE on retirement

“I retired because I got tired of everything: Of concentrating, of the every day problems… It’s difficult to get to the young players these days.”

Atletico Madrid’s Luciano VIETTO joins Valencia

Roy Nemer
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5

Luciano VIETTO has joined Spanish club Valencia.

Second place in La Liga Valencia have added depth to their front line adding Argentinian striker Luciano VIETTO from Atletico Madrid. VIETTO joins on a loan deal until June with the club having an option to buy at the end of the season.

We reported in the past week that the former Racing Club man was apparently close to joining Portuguese club Sporting CP but that deal ultimately fell through. This already marks the fourth club in Spain which VIETTO has represented, having joined Villarreal in 2014 from Racing Club, which was then followed by Diego SIMEONE’s Atletico Madrid and the third being Sevilla, although that one was on loan as well.

Diego SIMEONE on Luciano VIETTO leaving to Valencia

During a press conference on Tuesday, Diego SIMEONE had this to say about VIETTO’s possible departure:

“I have spoken with him and he has a chance to leave. I wish him the best and I hope he goes to a competitive team. His departure annoys me because his play hasn’t been accompanied by goals at a team which doesn’t wait.

“He has been one of our best players. I love him a lot as a person and he is an extraordinary footballer. It’s a shame that he hasn’t been able to add goals to his game.”

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