The day after the great Uruguayan victory involved a different scenario for a team accustomed to winning and that had not known defeat since the 2-1 against Saudi Arabia, at the start of the last World Cup.
The bitterness over the result was now behind us and the “albiceleste” team, confident in its potential and aware that one day it was going to lose, focused on regaining energy for another key Qualifiers duel.
The world champions trained today after 10:30 at the AFA grounds. Those who did not film in the Rio de la Plata classic did “higher load and intensity” exercisesaccording to the AFA press, where there were physical and technical blocks with football movements in a reduced space.
Those who were starters at La Bombonera carried out regenerative tasks in the gym along with the physical trainer Luis Martín.
The squad was released until tomorrow, when they resume training in Ezeiza, from 6 p.m., behind closed doors, and they will repeat on Sunday, at 10:30, without access for the press.
The selector Lionel Scaloni He was cautious shortly after the first defeat of the year and admitted that Argentina was surpassed by Uruguay in all its lines.
Scaloni defined specific responsibilities and his statements were aligned with the thoughts of midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who shortly after the 0-2 against the Uruguayans, said: “Whenever we have a defeat, I think we are all responsible as in victories. I “I feel like I am a very important player on this team, so responsibilities always have to be taken when there are defeats.”
Although Scaloni presented a message of unity and support, the internal analysis with the rest of his collaborators will lead him to make decisions with a view to Tuesday’s game at the Maracaná.
Argentina knows that it must turn the page and is already analyzing a Brazil that is not at its best, after the 2-1 defeat against Colombia, with the absence of several renowned footballers such as Neymar, Casemiro and Ederson.
Furthermore, the recent loss of Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. leaves the team led by Fernando Diniz, the coach of Fluminense, champion of the Copa Libertadores with the 2-1 victory against Boca in Rio de Janeiro, even more decimated.
“The upcoming match is very attractive. Brazil-Argentina are very different, it is a classic, at the Maracaná, where we have a nice memory of the last time. It is going to be a very difficult match, but we are prepared for that” De Paul noted.
The crack and captain Lionel Messi The match ended without any setbacks, regardless of how rough and rough it was due to the intensity of the Uruguayan players.
In the preview, Scaloni told the Télam agency that, if there were no problems, Messi was going to play as a starter for the 90 minutes in this double date of the South American Qualifiers.
“Messi is here to play and he will do so until he raises his hand as happened against Ecuador”said the coach from Pujato.
The Argentine midfield was the lowest point, with a lackluster performance from England’s Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who was replaced at half-time.
Both Enzo Fernández, who did not receive a yellow card and avoided a possible suspension, and De Paul were imprecise and overwhelmed by the strong Uruguayan brand, but they are pillars with ascendancy in the team.
The defensive line also offered no guarantees and only Cristian “Cuti” Romero obtained a “pass.”
Striker Nicolás González could not take advantage of his starting position and the entry of Ángel Di María gave more depth to the attack. The Argentine coaching staff will also evaluate the physical condition of “Fideo”, who was sidelined due to injury in the previous double-header of the South American Qualifiers.
Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Marcos Acuña, Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes are once again positioned as main options in case Scaloni decides to make changes to visit Brazil.
Scaloni will hold a press conference on Monday at noon, and hours later he will join the Argentine delegation that will travel to Rio de Janeiro.
Argentina, leader of the South American Qualifiers with 12 points, will visit Brazil next Tuesday (7) in the match corresponding to the 6th. date that will be held at the legendary Maracaná in Rio de Janeiro, starting at 9:30 p.m., Argentine time.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
