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Erik LAMELA expected to start for Argentina

Roy Nemer
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Erik LAMELA is expected to start for Argentina on Tuesday when they play Venezuela.

Argentina will be without Lionel MESSI and Paulo DYBALA when they visit Venezuela but according to reports, we do have our starting eleven. It looks as if the line-up we reported a few days ago, will be the final one. Marcos ROJO is set to start at left back after serving his one game suspension which means Emanuel MAS will be on the bench.

Ever BANEGA will start in place of Paulo DYBALA and Erik LAMELA appears to have won a starting spot as he would start on the right side ahead of Nicolas GAITAN. Here would be the line-up:

ROMERO; ROJO, FUNES MORI, OTAMENDI, ZABALETA; MASCHERANO, BIGLIA; DI MARIA, BANEGA, LAMELA; PRATTO

Lionel MESSI: “I felt like that was going to be our time”

Roy Nemer
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Lionel MESSI was on a television show in Argentina and spoke about a number of topics.

Lionel MESSI commented on his retirement, returning to play in Argentina and more. Here’s what he had to say:

About returning to Argentina:
“I would love to (return). It is something I have kept an eye on because it was my dream as a child. Obviously my life started to change and went another way, but I have no regrets. It’s something I have kept an eye on. I want to play in Argentine football and Newell’s, where I grew up.”

About retiring from the Argentina National Team:
“Retirement from Argentina? It was just what I felt in that moment. Everything was falling around me. I felt like that was going to be our time, because of the way we were playing and we got to the final. It was a huge disappointment. The dressing room was devastated. We all felt that we’d missed our chance.We got to 3 finals and at some point, something must give. We all want to win. I have been fighting with the Seleccion and my dream is to win something. To get so close and not make it was a huge frustration for all of us.”

About his hair and his son Thiago.
“My hair? I made change to start from 0. After controversy and disappointment, I told myself ‘You’ve got to break this and start again’. I don’t buy Thiago many balls or force him to play with them because he doesn’t like them much. Let’s see what happens in future.”

Ever BANEGA, LAMELA/GAITAN set to start for Argentina

Roy Nemer
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With Lionel MESSI and Paulo DYBALA both out for Argentina, Edgardo BAUZA is forced to make some changes to his starting line-up when Argentina play Venezuela on Tuesday.

In training, Ever BANEGA has started in Paulo DYBALA’s role (behind the striker) and it appears as though one of Erik LAMELA and Nicolas GAITAN will start in Lionel MESSI’s place (on the right side of the attack). Here’s the rumored starting line-up:

However, there are other question marks in the air. It remains to be seen if MAS will start as left back again now that Marcos ROJO is no longer suspended. The second question mark is the right back position between Pablo ZABALETA and Gabriel MERCADO, though it looks as if the Manchester City man will get the nod to start. Up front, Lucas PRATTO is expected to keep his starting spot. Here’s the rumored starting line-up:

ROMERO; MAS/ROJO, FUNES MORI, OTAMENDI, ZABALETA; MASCHERANO, BIGLIA; DI MARIA, BANEGA, GAITAN/LAMELA; PRATTO

Lucas ALARIO: “It was a dream”

Roy Nemer
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Lucas ALARIO and Ramiro FUNES MORI both spoke about Argentina’s win against Uruguay.

The two River Plate boys commented about the match. For ALARIO, it was comments towards MESSI and the upcoming match. Here’s what he had to say:

“It was a dream, we know he’s the best (MESSI) and to share a dressing room with him, training sessions and a match with him is something I’ll never forget. Argentines should enjoy him and admire him more.”

“I’m a little sad because the injury won’t allow him to play the next match. We’ll try to have the team and play the match as well as we can and try not to miss him too much.”

Ramiro FUNES MORI:
“We are aware we’re at the top of the table but we know every other team can be complicated as well. There are no easy matches in these qualifiers and we can’t underestimate anyone. We must take every match seriously.

Luis SUAREZ is one of the best number 9’s in the world so it was important that I had marked him well throughout the game.”

Paulo DYBALA: “I got a feeling in my chest I’ve never had before”

Roy Nemer
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Paulo DYBALA spoke about his red card against Uruguay.

Paulo DYBALA, who got himself red carded against Uruguay, spoke about what he felt at the time, his role as a false 9 and playing with the National Team. Here’s what he had to say:

“I got a feeling in my chest I’ve never had before. I’m not one to cry. At home, no one has seen me cry. And now, the entire country has seen me cry. And the world.”

About playing as a false 9:
“That’s how I play at my club. At Instituto, I debuted as an out and out number 9. Then the same thing at Palermo. But now at Juventus, they put me there, as a false 9. I like it.”

About playing with the National Team:
“It’s great. It’s a beautiful group. They made me feel like one of them. They all supported me. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

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