Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni commented on the injuries to Ángel Di María and Papu Gómez.

Lionel Scaloni spoke to the media on Saturday following Argentina’s 2-1 win vs. Australia in the Round of 16 at the World Cup. Ángel Di María had been ruled out of the starting eleven with a muscle overload.

The next match for Argentina is on Friday vs. the Netherlands in the quarter finals and Scaloni was asked about Di María possibly being fit to play. Speaking at a press conference, here is what he had to say:

“Let’s hope that he is there. Today, he was not fit to play. Having him on the bench is always tempting. For him to be in a difficult position, it seemed to me that we would not be doing anyone any favors (for him to play). I hope that as the days go by, he can get better and get to the game.”

Alejandro Papu Gómez started in place of Di María but he was substituted out due to an ankle injury. Here is what Scaloni had to say:

“He has a big knock on his ankle but even so, I had the feeling that the team needed something else, which is what we tried with Lisandro. To have Acuna and Nahuel and three midfielders with Leo. We improved in that aspect.”

Emiliano Martínez spoke about his performance at the World Cup and playing against the Netherlands in the quarter finals.

Martínez has kept two clean sheets in four games at this World Cup, allowing three goals. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports after Argentina’s 2-1 win vs. Australia in the Round of 16, here is what he had to say:

“It’s my first World Cup, I’m trying my best and what I value the most is the peace of mind that I have.

“They scored twice on me against Saudi Arabia. It’s somnething I can’t get rid of. Against Mexico, I was a little better and against Poland I had no work.”

In regards to the match vs. Australia:

“It was suffering because they were very aggressive in their pressing and in the first half it cost us to come out. They scored a goal out of nothing, the deflection completely changed the trajectory of the ball and from there it was an uphill for us.”

Regarding the match vs. Netherlands in the quarter finals:

“It will be a big opponent, a team with a lot of technical quality. They also have to take us into account.”

Talking about Lionel Messi:

“Leo (Messi) leads the team forward when we need him and we must help him.”

Julián Álvarez spoke about Argentina’s 2-1 win vs. Australia in the Round of 16 at the World Cup.

Álvarez started his second game at the World Cup and scored his second goal. He started in place of Lautaro Martínez against Poland and against Australia. Speaking to the media after the match, here is what he had to say:

“The important thing was to win, obviously. After that, at times, we played our game. We suffered a bit but the important thing was to win. It’s a big joy for the group, for all of the Argentines and we are going to give our best to continue to grow together.

“The 2-0 was important to give us peace of mind. I always try to press the goalkeeper high and today, it happened. We went, with Rodrigo and luckily we were able to get it from him.

“I always try to help. Obviously, being a forward, I am closer to the goal and if I can contribute with goals, even better.”

Cristian Romero spoke about the Argentina team at the World Cup, the loss vs. Saudi Arabia, the quarter final match and the rest days.

Romero started Argentina’s 2-1 win vs. Australia in the Round of 16 and have a very good match. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports, here is what he had to say about the match:

“It’s a huge joy because unfortunately, we ended up suffering. They were eliminated, they had to go out, try and get the game, they got a rebound from Enzo in the only clear shot they had. After that, one which Dibu saved. But we showed character, play and personality. I’m very happy for this group because anything can happen. But we keep showing that we are going to leave every last drop of sweat.”

Regarding the loss vs. Saudi Arabia:

“No one expected it but it served to make us stronger mentally, to go out and play each match as a final. It’s a World Cup, all the teams come with one objective but it served us in the following games to take each one as a final.”

In regards to the match vs. the Netherlands in the quarter finals:

“A very difficult opponent. We all know the kind of players they have. Now we have to enjoy it for an hour or two and already today we will be thinking about how we will play the Netherlands. We are 26 warriors, everyone is ready and the coach will decie the eleven that play but we are going to leave our lives as we always do.”

About the short rest days between matches:

“We have a fairly young group, beyond the three warriors who are our spirits. We are young and we are going to leave our lives if we play tomorrow or the day after. The day that arrives, we will be prepared.”

Rodrigo De Paul spoke about the Argentina national team at the World Cup, Emiliano Martinez and the fans.

De Paul has started every match for Argentina at the World Cup and has gotten better every match. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports after the Round of 16 match vs. Australia, here is what he had to say:

“It’s a pity that they scored against us but I think that we played the same way as always and created many chances. We know that in the World Cup, all the matches are like that. It’s all very even and we knew that today was going to be very difficult but I think we did very well.”

Regarding the save by Emiliano Martínez:

“It was a great shot. We know that to be able to do big things, we need a great goalkeeper and I think we have the best one.”

In regards to the support from the fans:

“I think it’s mutual. We get it from the people and they get it from us. We are Argentines, we were on the other side and we always remain fans. Life gave us this beautiful chance to defend these colors.

On his performances:

“I still haven’t started to analyze it but I felt very comfortable, I believe I’m still growing and I’m confident. Physically, I feel very well and that gives me a lot of pleasure and peace of mind for the future, as long as I can help my team mates.”