24 phrases from Lionel Scaloni before the World Cup draw: special order from De Paul, talks with Messi and possible surprise on the list

This Thursday, less than 24 hours before the Qatar 2022 World Cup draw, Lionel Scaloni gave an interview in which he left some definitions about how this historic moment is beating when the Argentine team will meet their rivals in the most important contest of all. In this context, the coach was cautious in his statements regarding the enthusiasm on the part of the fans regarding the team's performance, but he appreciated the support.

“I tell the fan to enjoy the draw and the World Cup. The World Cup is to be enjoyed every 4 years and this selection is not going to leave them lying around. No coach is going to promise anything because he knows very well what we are playing and how even football is. The team has a brand, it is good and it will show its face in every match,” he said in dialogue with TyC Sports from Doha.

The albiceleste team, seeded, will have its ball in the first ciborium and by regulation will not be able to cross paths with opponents of Conmebol. Nor will it be able to share an area with more than two Europeans or more than one African, Asian or from Concacaf. “Whatever has to come out is going to come out, we can't do much,” Scaloni replied when asked if he had a favorite rival or one he prefers to avoid. “We have analyzed each one how they play, we have them seen, but I am one of those who think that choosing whether you would like one or the other is never good. I am convinced that anyone will be difficult,” he insisted.

His talks with Lionel Messi

“You have to be talking to him continuously but (on the court) he decides and usually decides the best. We talk because he is one more, he is a receptive boy, he likes to talk about football, he understands a lot about football. Not only is he the best, he understands.”

“In the case of Leo, the alerts he gives you (in a match) is because he understands and has been with the best coaches, it is clear that you have to listen to him”

The performance of the Selection

“In the Copa America 2019 we played good matches, moments, with Brazil that we lost, for example. There we looked a little bit for the course. And then we started the qualifiers well and in the Copa America that we won we didn't start playing well, especially in the second half when the team couldn't continue playing the same way. It is true that rivals played us differently, now they respect us more. But after winning the Cup, the team took out everything that was up there and started playing freer. Now I think it is much more mature and consolidated.”

“Messi has his mission in the team and it is clear that when he is tired the team knows that he can't push. We have that built in. The team there is barricaded, not pressing and waiting. But it's not just him.”

“Before, at the Copa America, the team took a step back because they didn't have that security. Today it takes a step forward”

“We train pressure after loss, but sometimes it can't be done.”

“With Venezuela there was so much adrenaline that the players did things out of the ordinary. They stole balls too far to the limit. But better this way, to be aware of those robberies to attack again.”

Rodrigo de Paul

“We were struck by his personality, newcomer was already one of the group. The first game he played was released at halftime, he played winger, but we saw interesting things in him. It was taking positive relevance in the group and it is evident that with the Argentine shirt it is enhanced, it gives that plus. Atlético has given him that hierarchy he needed and the coach (Diego Simeone) makes him give him what we need and it is true that we love it because of what he transmits and because he plays well”.

De Paul's aggressiveness

“We have been talking about them. The World Cup is different from a South American qualifier they are very tough, maybe (the referees) will leave you a little more. The other day the kick to Mac Allister nobody went to look at anything, that in a World Cup you get expelled. It is clear that they are things to correct, in fact we tell you, we make you see the images of your clubs as well. When they see them they always have an excuse, as I did when I played. Everything has a limit, it's good to be aggressive, to show personality, but the important limit.”

Angel Di Maria

“It's probably the most recognized moment. He has played unforgettable matches, but when a title is won everything is magnified. I remember in 2011, 2013 or 2014 unforgettable matches, it's unfair to say that now is the best time.”

“We never judged him as a player or as a person. When the World Cup in Russia ended I told Di María not to get off the national team. Then he made the case that I was the coach.”

“Nico González was just starting to wear the National Team shirt at that time, we saw him in the same position on the left, then we passed Angel to the right because it gave us a certain balance. At that time we preferred that he does not come to those calls but we always knew that he would be with us, beyond that he asked to play, like every footballer above all in that hierarchy”.

Can there be surprises in the list of those cited to the World Cup?

“We are open to players being able to join. In a team like ours there are a multitude of players.”

“It may happen that players who have a very good start to the season arouse interest us that they can give a plus. We are open to what might happen.”

Replacement for Lautaro Martinez

“Lautaro is the scorer, but he must have played 80 or 90 percent of the matches. If Lautaro had not played and another had been there, he would have the same or similar number of goals.”

“Faced with Lautaro's loss, we opted for Joaquín (Correa), Julián (Álvarez) or Ángel Correa. Alario has been there, Paulo (Dybala) was also there. We have variants.”

The enthusiasm of the fans with the Scaloneta

“It makes me uncomfortable. The credit is a bit of the coach, but it's all the footballers, we help them. The same as when we were footballers, the coach helps you but the one in charge on the court is the player. We just wanted to get the train on track, let it go along the track. I am grateful to people but I get uncomfortable. The last ovation I received was in La Coruña in 2003 or 2004.”

“People have to understand, I think it has always been that way, that any footballer always leaves the maximum in the national team. It's ridiculous to think that a player in Argentina doesn't do the best. But that began to be doubted at some point, unusual”.

“If you unite people, players, coaching staff, leadership, it's hard to do badly. Then football is football, but since we have a lot of wins, we have quite a lot of wins.”

“The World Cup is won by one, there are 32 teams and football is so unpredictable that sometimes the best one doesn't win. In 2006 we were the best team and returned home without losing a game. There are ways to be eliminated and that selection was recognized because it was unfairly eliminated.”

“The first thing you have to do with these guys is tell them to come and enjoy themselves. Now they're going to play a World Cup after winning a Copa America and in the end it's a football match. Those moments of tension are experienced by everyone, even the most experienced. I know they won't be sorry to play the first World Cup.”

KEEP READING: