Home Blog Page 971

Argentine Champions League preview: Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, more

4

A total of six Argentine players could take part in this week’s Champions League matches with a few others injured.

The big clash on Tuesday will be Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona hosting PSG and their Argentine players. Leandro Paredes and Mauro Icardi are both healthy while Angel Di Maria will miss the match following last week’s injury. The last time these two teams met was the legendary remontada where Barcelona won 6-1 to eliminate the French champions.

On Wednesday, it’s Sevilla hosting Borussia Dortmund. Only one Argentine is available for Sevilla and that is newly signed Alejandro Papu Gomez as Lucas Ocampos and Marcos Acuña are out injured. Franco Vazquez has not been included in Sevilla’s Champions League squad.

Paulo Dybala and Juventus play FC Porto in Portugal as Agustín Marchesín will look not to let in any goals.

Here are the matches for Tuesday and Wednesday:

Tuesday:

RB Leipzig vs. Liverpool
FC Barcelona (Lionel Messi) vs. PSG (Leandro Paredes, Mauro Icardi. Angel Di Maria injured, Mauricio Pochettino coach)

Wednesday:
Sevilla (Alejandro Papu Gomez. Lucas Ocampos and Marcos Acuña are injured) vs. Borussia Dortmund:

FC Porto (Agustín Marchesín) vs. Juventus (Paulo Dybala)

Argentina World Cup winner Leopoldo Luque passes away

4

Argentina World Cup winning forward Leopoldo Luque has passed away from COVID-19 complications.

Part of the legendary Argentina team which won the 1978 World Cup, Luque scored four goals that tournament and managed 21 goals in 43 matches for the Argentina national team.

From reports in Argentina, Luque was in the hospital during the holiday season with COVID and he never fully recovered.

Rest in peace Luque and thank you for everything.

Lautaro Martinez scores for Inter in 3-1 win vs. Lazio

24

Lautaro Martinez scored for Inter in their 3-1 win vs. Lazio.

Martinez was fouled inside the penalty area in the first half and after some controversy, the decision was a penalty for Inter. It wasn’t Lautaro who took the penalty but it still lead to Inter taking the 1-0 lead.

The Argentine would make it 3-1 after a great run by goalscorer Lukaku who played the ball into Lautaro for the open net. He is now on 11 goals and five assists as Inter lead the league.

Lionel Messi scores two outside of the box goals for FC Barcelona in 5-1 win vs. Alaves

18

Lionel Messi scored two goals from outside of the penalty area for FC Barcelona in their 5-1 win vs. Alaves.

Messi was as dangerous as he has ever been as he scored twice and had one goal disallowed. With Barcelona leading 1-0, Messi scored to make it 2-0 but the goal was disallowed for offside. However, Messi was sure to get a goal.

The Argentine would receive the ball from outside of the penalty area and his shot would hit the post and in to give Barcelona the 2-0 lead. A thunderous shot by the captain which curls around the defenders and beats the goalkeeper.

He was not done just yet. Once more he would receive the ball from outside of the penalty area, he’s run towards the center and lift off his shot which would go into the top corner of the goal to make it 4-1 for Barcelona.

Hernan Crespo signs two year deal, becomes new Sao Paulo manager

24

Hernan Crespo has signed a two year deal with Sao Paulo as he comes their new coach.

Crespo has been linked with Sao Paulo for a few weeks and as we reported a few days ago, an announcement was expected to be made this week. The club confirmed through their Twitter page that the Argentine has signed with them to become the new coach.

The Argentine won the Copa Sudamericana, his first managerial trophy, last month with Defensa y Justicia before stepping down as coach. Still only 45 years of age, this is Crespo’s fourth managerial job. He has coached Modena in Italy, Banfield in Argentina, Defensa y Justicia also in Argentina and now Sao Paulo.