* El Gringo explained why he took care of Messi and when he will give the list
“The game was good on our part and also on Ecuador’s part; very intense for being friendly. We know very well what South American rivals are. We did what had to be done: try to dominate, create situations. These games have risk, which could be injuries, we tried to prevent them from happening.”
The analysis of Lionel Scaloni the triumph of Argentina 1 to 0 before Ecuador in Chicago it turned out to be accurate. The tricolor team opposed harshness, high pressure, and reduction of spaces. And, especially in the first 20 minutes, the world champion played uncomfortable. An ideal test thinking about what is coming: the United States Copa Americain which the Albiceleste will defend the title obtained in Brazil three years ago.
“It helps to play against a rival like that, especially because Ecuador has an important level, they make it difficult for anyone. And we needed to get together, compete, add minutes, feel the sensation of putting on the shirt, before a Cup that is going to be difficult,” continued the coach who emerged from Newell’s.
Consequently, Gringo, 46, took care. For example, to Nahuel Molina, who is recovering from a tear. “He came from an injury, we prefer not to risk him, he is not 100%,” she stressed. Also to the captain Lionel Messi, who entered in the second part. “He played less than a while. There was no need to risk. Otamendi did not play, Di María played his minutes, Enzo (Fernández) played the appropriate minutes; It is a bit of taking care of them and ensuring that they arrive in optimal conditions,” he insisted.
Scaloni is on the threshold of a complicated decision: he must cut three names from the 26-man roster for the continental event. “We have to make the final list and we will do it based on what we believe is best for the National Team, it always hurts to leave guys out. For the list we are going to wait for the second game. It doesn’t make much sense to give it before, it’s a setback to give it before, we need them to come because there is another game, to be with us until the last,” he explained, in relation to the friendly on Friday the 14th against Guatemala in Washington. From his words it is clear, then, that he will first deliver it to Conmebol (on Wednesday the 12th, deadline) and will announce it two days later.
* The competitive gene of the National Team, described by its coach
OTHER DEFINITIONS OF SCALONI
The motivation of the squad after having won the Copa América and the World Cup
“The goal is to continue competing, these kids have competing in their blood. Sometimes it turns out well and other times it doesn’t turn out well. But you have to keep playing, there are always things to play for, now the Copa América, then the Qualifiers… It tells you if you are still valid or you have to change. Our goal is always to compete to the maximum.”
The return of Enzo Fernández after pubialgia surgery
“We are happy that Enzo has had minutes, we had a lot of doubts when the operation happened, which is always risky. We are very happy because he has recovered, he is a little lacking in football, he will have to find himself again and the best way is for him to have been able to play so that he arrives in optimal conditions, and thus we can decide whether he starts with the team or not.”
The contribution of Ángel Correa, who entered the complement
“He has been with us for a long time, he has not had the participation that I would have liked, but he can contribute on the right, as a midfielder, as a forward, as a false 9; She can give many things. It is one of the things why he has come, and also because the last two or three months of his were very good.”
Cuti Romero’s offensive excursion and the assist on Di María’s goal
“There are times we tell him not to go to Cuti, but he goes anyway. He got the gene from him, Cuti has that, most of them have that pasture that you can’t control. Cuti decided to go, Rodrigo (De Paul) gives it to him as if he were a 9; It is that feeling of confidence that they transmit, and under no circumstances can we cut it off.”
