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Lisandro Martinez talks Argentina team, Ajax, life in Netherlands, more

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Lisandro Martinez gave an interview where he spoke about the Argentina national team, Ajax, life in the Netherlands and more.

Martinez is still in his first year in Europe but has adapted well. He’s earned a starting spot with Ajax and has even made his debut with the Argentina national team. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports, here’s what he had to say:

“The truth is that you have to think of your health. We are people and we have to take care of ourselves. It’s a lot from an economic point of view but we have to be careful and hope that every decision taken is the best for everyone.”

His experience with the Argentina national team and if he sees himself at the Olympics in Tokyo:

“I will always be available, be it for the U23 team or for the senior Argentina national team. Anything that has to do with the national team, I’ll be there. I don’t know how it’s going to be next year but I’d like to be there.”

What he’s doing during the quarantine as he has been inside for more than a month.

“I’m doing well, training, I’m here with my girlfriend. We try to distract ourselves a bit by watching Netflix. We are well, we have to worry about those who are suffering because of it.”

When he opens the computer, what does he look for first? The news over there or the news here?

“No, the news from Argentina. I’m watching it all the time to see what happens there. I don’t watch the channels from here in the Netherlands.”

How he feels being distant from what’s happening in Argentina:

“I feel bad. I feel bad for those who are really suffering from it. Let’s hope that the government is on the side of the people who need them and that the people who are doing well or don’t lack anything, try to support those who are in need the most.”

And in the Netherlands:

“Here in quarantine, people walk around on the streets. The shops are closed. Today I saw that the kids are going to start school. I want this to be over with.”

How is he with his family that live in Argentina:

“I’m always in contact with them. It’s very difficult to be so far away. Right now, you want to be with the family but you have to be strong. Regarding the precautions, we help each other all the time. Thank God they are all very well.”

Psychologically speaking, how is he:

“I’m very strong mentally. At times, I have days where I feel overwhelmed and don’t want to do anything. But I’m doing well. They are moments to reflect, to find yourself too and to improve.”

What will happen there regarding the league:

“From what I understand, they will tell us about it on Friday. I have no idea.”

If he cares or not since it would be his first championship in Europe:

“I’m not going to think about myself, I’m not selfish. If a decision is made, it should be same decision in all of the European leagues. Although we are tied on points with AZ, I would like to play a match against them to see who would be champion.”

He’s been a starter all season. If he was worried about getting to Ajax and not playing:

“I knew I was coming to a very big team. I came focused and I decided to play. I knew where I was going and I worked a lot, mentally speaking. When I first started training, it was difficult. It’s another rhythm, the key is to control the ball.

“In the third week, I started to adapt to the group. After a friendly, I won my spot and the coach started to put me in every game.”

Lucas Alario of Bayer Leverkusen talks about his spot with Argentina

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Lucas Alario gave an interview where he spoke about his spot with the Argentina national team.

Alario has played six matches for Argentina, scoring three goals. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports, the Bayer Leverkusen forward had this to say:

“I don’t think I won a place at all, if I did, I would be mistaken and that would mean I’d relax. I have to take an exam every weekend. That’s how I think.”

Barcelona, Atletico Madrid interested in signing Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax

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Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both reportedly interested in signing Argentina left back Nicolas Tagliafico.

The Ajax man is rumored to be leaving the club in the summer and two clubs in Spain are being linked to signing the 27 year old. Per a report by Marco Timmer of Vl_nl, both clubs want to sign Tagliafico but Ajax have not yet been approached by either club.

Tagliafico himself has stated that he would like to make a bigger move in Europe.

Martin Palermo speaks about Argentina World Cup goal, match vs. Peru, more

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Martin Palermo gave an interview with the AFA website where he spoke about his goal vs. Greece at the 2010 World Cup, the famous World Cup qualifier vs. Peru and much more.

Palermo had a rollercoaster ride with the Argentina natiomal team. From missing three penalty kicks at a Copa America to keeping Argentina in the running during the World Cup qualifiers and a goal at a World Cup. Speaking with the AFA, here’s what he had to say:

If he had to put together a special regarding his goals, which goal he scored for the Argentina national team would be in first place?

“For me, the goal vs. Greece is the most important one because it was at a World Cup and I was 36 years old. My parents, my wife, my eldest son, my friends were there. And they were just as emotional as I was. For that reason, playing those minutes in any match was very special. More than anything I have lived as a player, putting on the Argentina national team shirt is something unique.”

With the career he has had, where does the 2010 World Cup place?

No doubt, South Africa will occupy a place very important in my career. Had I experienced more World Cups when I was younger, the way I look at it would be different. But that Diego (Maradona) picks me at that age to live a World Cup experience was incredible.

“And on top of that, we had Messi in the group, so the hope was greater. People believed that we would go further, as did we. That’s why the elimination was very hurtful.”

Martin Palermo celebrating his goal for Argentina vs. Greece at the 2010 World Cup.

He mentioned Diego and Lionel, who he shared a pitch with. Other than those two, who else did he enjoy playing with in the Argentina national team?

“I have total admiration for them, they are extremely talented and surprise us with everything they do with the ball. After that, during Bielsa’s cycle in 1999, there were great players like Simeone, Roberto Ayala, Mono Burgos, Sorin ans “Kily” Gonzalez.

“I also had the pleasure of sharing the team with my Boca team mates that were at a high level like Román (Riquelme), Guillermo (Barros Schelotto), Samuel and Ibarra.”

If the Copa America that year left a sour taste in his mouth despite scoring several goals?

“We had started with a win vs. Ecuador with two goals which I scored and for me it was incredible that I was being compared to Ronaldo, Iván Zamorano, Salas. Then came that fateful night where I missed three penalty kicks (in the 3-0 loss vs. Colombia) and I felt like everything went to waste. I had to wait many years to be able to change my image with the Argentina national team.”

If the match vs. Peru was the best image he has left with the Argentina national team.

“It was incredible for the context of it: The rain, the wind, the pitch was flooded, se needed to win in order to stay alive in the World Cup qualifiers. Peru’s goal in the 44th minute of the second half was terrible.

“I was substituted in during the second half and I nearly had to come off because of a hit I took to the face. They had to put a cotton ball in my nose because blood was coming out and I couldn’t breathe.

“But finally the match vs. Peru was like a script out of a movie. My goal, Diego’s celebration and my emotions under the flood of rain. It was truly a movie.”

Roberto Ayala talks about Lionel Messi growth with Argentina, Dennis Bergkamp’s goal

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Roberto Ayala gave an interview where he spoke about Lionel Messi’s evolution in the Argentina national team as well as Dennis Bergkamp’s goal for the Netherlands at the 1998 World Cup against Argentina and much more.

Ayala was Messi’s team mate at the 2006 World Cup as well as the 2007 Copa AMerica. The former Argentina captain spoke about the current captain. Speaking with 90, here’s what Ayala had to say:

“Lio likes to be treated like anyone else. He’s a very closed person who has grown a lot in recent times. Today, he’s a leader on and off the pitch.

“When he first started, we were team mates, he practically didn’t speak. What’s more, he would go out and train because he had to. If not, he would have stayed in his room. Today, he participates in everything: He talks with his team mates, he asks them how they are. Even before the matches, he talks a lot.”

On the goal scored by Dennis Bergkamp vs. Argentina:

“I’ve seen that play many times and I still can’t find my mistake. In the penalty area, I didn’t make a mistake. Yes, there’s the incredible ball control by him, an incredible finish. In that play, there are many good things which Bergkamp did that no one gives any importance to, they just see a supposed error by me. What I do admit is that I was badly positioned when the ball came because had I been properly placed, I would have fought for the ball without problems.”

He was also asked about being part of the Argentina national team coaching staff:

“Being back with the Argentina national team as an assist with Scaloni is very special for me because I’ve been there since 1993, when Alfio Basile first called me up. I feel very comfortable. You have to make an effort to be here because you leave aside many things to be able to have the prestige that can only be given to you by this shirt. There is nothing more beautiful than putting on the sky blue and white shirt.”

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