The Champions League Round of 16 begins on Tuesday with two matches and both matches involved Argentine players.
Julián Álvarez and last season’s winners Manchester City travel to play Copenhagen in their first match. Álvarez has four goals and one assist in four Champions League matches this season with Manchester City.
In the second match on Tuesday, record Champions League winners Real Madrid have travelled away from Spain to play RB Leipzig. Nico Paz has been included in the team for the match.
Nico Paz has one goal in three matches for Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Enzo Fernández scored for Chelsea in their 3-1 win vs. Crystal Palace.
Fernández has made it two goals in his last two matches with Chelsea. With Chelsea leading 2-1, the Argentina received the ball inside the penalty area and faked out the defender twice before placing the ball to the goalkeeper’s right and scoring.
Javier Mascherano spoke about Argentina qualifying for the Olympics.
Mascherano will be at the Olympic games. A two time gold medal winner, he will now be coaching the team.
His team won 1-0 vs. Brazil and qualified for the Olympic games in Paris. Speaking at a press conference after the win, here is what he had to say:
“We put Luciano (Gondou) with Santi (Castro) because we believed that we could generate something against Brazil similar to that against Venezuela. We felt that we needed more offensive weight in the penalty area. I think we went to look for the win.
“The most important thing is what the boys have done today, qualified for hte Olympic Games once again. I have nothing to do with it, I just accompany this great group of players.
“The team played a great tournament, there are always things to improve. We were superior to all of our opponents but we got to the last match with an obligation to win.
“I am happy with what we have experienced. We have had a spectacular month, with the commitment of all the players who have come here. I know very well what it is like to miss a preseason, a start to a championship, losing a spot in your club but the players made this possible from day one. Like the case of Thiago, who, being a world champion, stepped up to lead this team.
“We lived it calmly. In the six previous matches, we always went out to look for the three points, our plan did not change. Argentina was the protagonist, having the ball. It was a matter of not despairing and taking advantage of the opportunities.”
He also spoke about Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María possibly playing at the Olympics with the team:
“Everyone already knows my friendship with Leo (Messi), the friendly that I have. A player like him has the doors open to accompany us, after that it depends on him and his commitments, obviously.
“The times of the senior national team with the Copa America is not easy. You have to be cautious, obviously we are going to talk. With Leo and Angel we have a spectacular relationship, we are friends. As a coach, I have the obligation of inviting them but one understands that they have other commitments and it will depend on that, it is not that simple.”
Thiago Almada spoke about the team qualifying for the Olympic games and Lionel Messi possibly being in Paris with the team.
Almada captained the Argentina team in their 1-0 win vs. Brazil and their qualification to the Olympics. Speaking to DSports, here is what Almada had to say:
“I am very happy for the group and the coaching staff, they deserve it. We showed that we were better throughout the tournament, always surpassing our opponent.
“We have time to train and to continue to improve for the Olympic games. Today, they only came at us twice, we played a great match.
“I hope Messi has the desire and can be at the Olympic games, it would be a dream. If Messi comes, I’ll give him the captain’s armband, obviously. Now they are the ones who have to decide if they come.”
Argentina won 1-0 vs. Brazil and qualified to the 2024 Olympics.
Javier Mascherano’s team will be at the Olympics in Paris. Luciano Gondou scored with 13 minutes left in the match to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.
Valentín Barco sent in a cross to Gondou who would head the ball for the only goal of the match. Argentina and Paraguay are the two teams going to Paris for the Olympics and will represent South America.
In the last five matches between Argentina and Brazil across all age groups, Argentina have won four times, including the Copa America final and a World Cup qualifier, both in Brazil. They also won at the U17 World Cup and today at the U23 level.
