Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference on Thursday about Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala.

Lionel Scaloni and Alexis Mac Allister were both at the press conference on Thursday and Scaloni had commented on Rodrigo De Paul’s fitness after Wednesday’s training. Speaking at the press conference, here is what Scaloni had to say about the the Netherlands man marking Lionel Messi:

“The individual marking to Messi? We will see tomorrow what happens on the pitch. We are used to our opponents coming up with something different. We don’t want to go to forgone conclusions. Even we can implement some changes in the technical side.”

Scaloni was also asked about Paulo Dybala not playing:

“He didn’t play because I didn’t see the moment to play him. He is well, he can be part of the starting XI but in the matches we have played, we haven’t had the chance to field him.”

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about Rodrigo De Paul’s fitness after the media had reported that he had issues.

Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference on Thursday and one of the topics of discussion was Rodrigo De Paul’s fitness. Several media outlets out of Argentina had reported that De Paul was not fit. Speaking at the press conference, here is what Scaloni had to say:

“Yesterday we had training behind closed doors. I don’t know how you know that Rodrigo might have something strange. So, if they are feeling well, then we will see in today’s training if they will be in the line-up.

“He (De Paul) trained yesterday, also Di Maria trained yesterday. Sometimes, players who have played before, will only complete half of the training. We will see today if they are able to play or not. The information you get from the press is difficult to manage.”

Alexis Mac Allister spoke at a press conference on Thursday where he commented on the Argentina national team and the match vs. the Netherlands in the quarter finals of the World Cup.

Mac Allister has emerged as a starter for Argentina. He has started the last three matches for Argentina which have been wins and is expected to start the quarter final match. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, here is what he had to say:

“We had a big excitement, we know that Argentina is very strong. We have a great squad, a great history and an excellent squad with big players. And of course our goal is to make the next stage but we know we are facing big national teams.

“We still have one training to fine tune the details. But the most important thing is to think of ourselves and be aware of what we can do. And if we do things right, I am sure we will be fine.

“The squad is feeling great, both emotionally and in football terms. We are very much united and we enjoy ourselves. This is a crucial part for everyone and when on the pitch, we always try to have our best moment.

“The match vs. Australia was pretty close to the last one but now we have many days to rest. We also have time to see our families. I think those days were excellent for us. It was great to be ready mentally and physically.”

In regards to the match vs. the Netherlands on Friday:

“They are a good team. We like watching football, we have watched their matches and they have great players with a clear vision of play. But we try to think beyond that and focus on our own game.”

He was also asked about Rodrigo De Paul:

“Rodrigo De Paul is crucial, both on and off the pitch. But Scaloni will decide who is in the starting eleven. We have great players and the one’s on the pitch will try to give their all for this squad. We won’t change our game.”

Regarding himself:

“I am a player, you won’t see me with the ball going through three-four players. I am feeling very good, my team mates are helping me a lot and that for me is crucial I have to say. From day one, they trusted me and that has been essential.”

About Louis van Gaal:

“We know he is a top coach, world renowned. All his teams have different variations but with a clear idea. We will try to do our best in order to win.”

When asked about which Argentina player has surprised him:

“Well, surprise is… It’s difficult to single out one player from our national team. We know Leo and he surprises us every day. I would say it’s Leo Messi. He does unbelievable stuff, both in training and in matches.”

On what he can say about the 2014 semi final:

“I remember I watched the semi finals with my family at home. I very much enjoyed it and well now, I am at this World Cup and to be able to play is a great pride and I am very excited.”

The officials have been named for Argentina vs. Netherlands in the quarter finals of the World Cup.

It will be Antonio Mateu Lahoz of Spain who will referee the quarter final match. His first assistant, Pau Cebrian Devis and his second assistant, Roberto Díaz Pérez, are also from Spain.

Rodrigo De Paul posted an encouraging message on Instagram with an update on his situation.

De Paul made the headlines on Wednesday as he did not train with the Argentina national team. He instead did kinesiology work.

The Argentine took to Instagram on Wednesday afternoon to post that all is well. According to Gastón Edul, De Paul will start the training session with Argentina on Thursday but more tests and a decision is expected to be made tomorrow.

Rodrigo De Paul stating that all is well. Via his Instagram. pic.twitter.com/0hIvze1PKC

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) December 7, 2022