Scaloni: from advice to Messi to when he made his entire CT cry

The fury for the Argentine National Team does not stop. The world champions were present at the Monumental Stadium and at the Madre de Ciudades for an unprecedented party. Lhe victory against Panama and the seven goals against Curaçao were just an anecdote in a week that had celebrations for all tastes: on the pitch, but also on the Conmebol stage.

And after the hubbub, the recognitions and the fireworks, Lionel Scaloni took some time to reflect on the World Cup, giving details about the beginning of his process, the withdrawal of important footballers for Qatar, details of each game and what he considers the DNA of Argentine football. Besides, he told intimacies about his relationship with Lionel Messi; of admiration although, also, of adviser and mentor.

“We prepared for the final like any other match. We prepared the final the way we had to do it. We were analyzing the matches, the rival, without thinking that it was the world final because that could lead us to confusion and nervousness. We prepared in the normal way. The incentive was already there. The player already knew what was going to be played”.

“We prepared for the final like any other game. We were convinced that we had to play it. We prepared the final the way we had to do it. We were analyzing the matches, the rival, without thinking that it was the world final because that it could lead us to confusion and nervousness. We prepared in the normal way. The incentive was already there. The player already knew what was going to be played”.

“We were convinced that by playing that way, we could put them in trouble. Until the famous 80th minute, they did us less trouble or damage than we thought. When we didn’t have the ball, we did an incredible job. That’s where the team he played a great game, when we didn’t have it. With the ball, we already know what we did. That France, with the players they have, can’t kick on goal in the PT, is a great merit”.

“In principle there were two games, against Guatemala and Colombia, in the United States, until the AFA looked for a DT. Later, they told us that we were going to continue the other two. The team really played well, showed its face, despite that he was lost at the last minute with Brazil. And before the double date with Mexico they told us that they were happy with us, that they wanted us to continue. We knew that the job, after those six games, was well done”.

“In Russia, we saw that France came out champion playing vertically. It was difficult for the teams that had possession. We said: “Let’s gather players and get there quickly.” That was the idea at the beginning. Later, we saw that our best players played to something else. So, we began to see that we had to bring in those types of players. And we had to change…”

“It is true that it is luck that it is the National Team and you can choose. Here you have a range of possibilities that make things easier for you. We were convinced that the good guys could play something else, ball, “La Nuestra”. Play football. Have it when you really have to. And, later, they alone know when to accelerate to score the goal. Most of them have players with a good footing. All of them. And we believe that, around possession of the ball, you can build something, but always thinking about the rival goal. That’s non-negotiable. We don’t like to have 70% possession and kick twice at goal”.

“It’s difficult when you grew up always looking at your opponent. Maybe later you realize that you have to influence your team much more. When you play against great rivals, everyone knows your strengths. We do improve on that. Everyone CT has improved in the information that must be given to the player. Not saturate him. You have to give him precise information and what is important”.

“Soccer is a game of chess. You surprise your rival, knowing that the rival thinks you are going to play one way, but you play another. But, in turn, the rival also changes his way of playing based on what What do you do. Football is constantly moving. Obviously, one has to take care of the rival, but always thinking about what we want, to take the reins of the game. We are fortunate to be in the Argentine National Team. I don’t know what it would be like to be in a club or in a different team”.

“I think that the human is fundamental. In the end, at these levels everything is so even that the human makes the difference. Cuti, Lisandro and Molina know each other a lot, they are together all day and the mistakes make them smaller because the other He fixes them, benches him, because they are friends. It’s not nonsense. They are important. The fact that they see Leo as the best player in history makes them give their lives for him. That creates a different chemistry. That in him football counts a lot”.

“In the case of Gio, until the last moment there was the possibility that he would not have an operation and make an effort to be there. But, with all the pain in our soul, we needed players who are ready. It happened with Nico and Joaquín. These are situations ugly, you have to face them for the good of the group. We had players ready in case they couldn’t come. Always thinking about the good of the team and putting our hearts aside. That was the worst of the World Cup, of the preparation. Leaving the players outside the World Cup. But I’m one of those who think it’s better to pay for it at that time and not later”.

“That game was very strange. We will have done something wrong as DT because everything we told them was going to happen happened and we didn’t win. But it’s one in a thousand that happens to you. We perished to win the PT by three or four goals And they scored two goals that we had a hard time recovering. It was an important blow But I was calm on the bench. There were two paths: I go crazy, make changes, shout or calm down. I saw that the game could be tied. After , we had to make a clean slate. But we ran the risk that this defeat would do us more damage.”