Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni commented on the team’s 0-0 draw.

Lionel Scaloni saw his team control the match, create chances but unable to score. It was a 0-0 draw vs. Paraguay away with the next two matches at home. Speaking at a press conference after the match, here is what he had to say:

“The first half was almost all us, the second was more equal but we were superior and dominated the match. The qualifiers are difficult and they (the players) realized the difficulty of coming to play Paraguay and the different places. I think the feeling is good and that makes us calm. We missed scoring the goal, especially in the plays where it was very clear. The important thing is the team never gave up always kept trying.

“A very difficult opponent, they changed their way of playing for our way of attacking. The opponents play differently, they want to win against Argentina and you have to get used to that continuing to happen.

“We looked with a lot of passes, we created a lot of chances. Then we went with more speed because the game was very open. In football, sometimes you are superior but the result doesn’t go in your favor.

“We knew how Paraguay would play, always pressuring. I think the team was able to get through that pressure and create clear goal scoring chances. Paraguay is uncomfortable for everyone, not just Argentina. We knew they were going to be a difficult rival. We have to play in two days and it’s important that all the players are fresh and that everyone who enters can contribute.”

Scaloni spoke about Marcos Acuña getting substituted off:

“Let’s hope that Acuña’s situation is nothing. He had a knock and we preferred not to risk it. We have to manage their minutes.”

In regards to selecting Nahuel Molina ahead of Gonzalo Montiel:

“I have been saying it often. Nahuel gives us depth, speed. Gonzalo is fine but we preferred for him to rest this match. We have to keep him fresh.

“Here, we have to have everyone well. It’s very difficult coming to play these matches. In two days, we have another match. We fully trust him. We hope Gonzalo can play the next match.”

Regarding Joaquin Correa and Lautaro Martinez:

“The team had goal scoring chances. They couldn’t score. Lautaro has always been our striker. Joaquin’s match made me happy. He played a good match, he had chances, created a lot of danger. He was missing that goal but it makes us happy that he played like this.”

Argentina created many chances but were not able to score in a 0-0 draw vs. Paraguay.

Lionel Scaloni’s team had several chances to score in the first half but misses by Joaquin Correa and Angel Di Maria meant that it would end without a goal. Joaquin Correa had an effort on goal which was saved while Angel Di Maria missed from the line off a big scramble inside the penalty area.

A first half which was very physical as the referee kept his cards in his pocket as Paraguay were often fouling. Lionel Scaloni made no changes at half time.

The second half was much of the same as the first with Argentina creating but being unable to score. Marcos Acuña was substituted off due to an injury and it was Nicolas Tagliafico replacing him. Emiliano Martinez made two great saves for Argentina both of them from very close range.

Scaloni made two chances as he brought on Alejandro Papu Gomez for Rodrigo De Paul and Guido Rodriguez for Angel Di Maria. Still unable to score, Nicolas Gonzalez was substituted in for Gio Lo Celso and Julian Alvarez for Joaquin Correa.

Alejandro Papu Gomez had a great effort from outside of the penalty area which was saved as the match ended in a draw.

Argentina’s starting eleven against Paraguay has been announced with both Joaquin Correa and Nahuel Molina starting.

Joaquin Correa is in the starting eleven in place of Lautaro Martinez. As reported earlier, Lautaro has muscular fatigue and will not be in the squad. A last minute change is that of Nahuel Molina for Gonzalo Montiel. Here is the starting eleven:

Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Di María, Joaquin Correa and Lionel Messi.

Esteban Andrada along with Facundo Medina, Juan Foyth, Nicolás Domínguez, Emiliano Buendía, Ángel Correa and Lautaro Martínez don’t make the bench.

Joaquin Correa will reportedly start in place of Lautaro Martinez for Argentina.

Correa is apparently going to get the start ahead of Lucas Alario for Argentina in their match against Paraguay on Thursday. As reported earlier, Lautaro Martinez will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifier due to muscle fatigue.

According to a Gastón Edul of TyC Sports, it will be Joaquin Correa who will replace Lautaro in the eleven. Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni stated on Wednesday that the starting eleven would be that which started and won the Copa America final. This would be the starting eleven:

Emiliano Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Di María, Joaquin Correa and Lionel Messi.

Joaquín Correa va a ser titular esta noche vs Paraguay.
Lo contamos en @TyCSports. pic.twitter.com/D2BY5PJuRF

— Gastón Edul (@gastonedul) October 7, 2021