The practice of the National Team in Qatar had just started, the day before the quarterfinal match against the Netherlands (Friday at 4pm). All the flashes pointed to the situation of Rodrigo De Paul and also to Ángel Di María. Scaloni had already complained about what had been leaked on Wednesday about De Paul’s physical condition.
And while the players did physical work, Scaloni focused on Cuti Romero, who had just made a pass. “Cuti, is that your maximum?” He told the center-back, the undisputed starter, who was left out in the second game since in the first he had paid for not being 100% physically.
The surprising phrase to Cuti generated a smile in response to the player himself, as if implying that yes, he could do more. It was just the beginning of practice… But Scaloni, always very close to the players (they just stand out for having formed a very strong group), showed him up close that he is in all the details. And he wanted to see Cuti with everything in practice before the game. Even the DT was the one who promoted the defender’s career, who was not taken into account until his arrival and it was a surprise for most.
