Scaloni already knows Argentina’s rivals, but he did not define if he continues and wants to talk to Messi

The continuity of Lionel Scaloni in the Argentine National Team remains in doubt. The sentence follows from the statements made by the coach himself minutes after the draw for the America Cup in the United States, where he once again put his stay on hold. But this time there was a change of axis: now what remains under scrutiny is the coach’s relationship with the team. “I spoke with Leo Messi and we agreed to talk in a few days and from there we will make the best decision for the National Team, which in the end is what it is about”, launched Scaloni. And he opened a new window. “With Tapia I almost have a friendly relationship; “It doesn’t go that way at all.”, he added emphatically. And around midnight, Chiqui published a photo hugging Scaloni and the rest of the AFA entourage.

What you should do first is clarify: The coach’s relationship with the footballers is not broken, much less. What’s more: with several he has a bond of friendship and with almost everyone he has gratitude. But Scaloni seeks to inject energy back into Scaloneta, which did not show the best version of itself in the loss against Uruguay and in the great victory against Brazil. The message seems to be simple: “We are all on or we get off”. “You have to be well for what is coming, the bar is high. We need a lot of energy, for everyone to understand what is coming and that is what we are working on. It is a personal decision and that of the coaching staff.”Scaloni said.

Photo: ANGELA WEISS / AFP

Finally, Scaloni and Tapia met face to face again. 16 days have passed since the coach questioned his continuity in Rio de Janeiro to leave everyone and everyone speechless. For this reason, on the calendar, the match in Miami during the Copa América draw was the one designated as transcendental, the one that was going to change the course of things. However, there was no formal and lengthy meeting in Florida and Scaloni remains adamant. “In principle I am here because I am the coach of the National Team. But I’m still in that moment of thinking.”explained the world champion coach.

The information changed over the hours.. Before the draw, those close to the AFA revealed that the meeting had taken place in the hotel next to the James L. Knight Center where the Conmebol event was held and that Scaloni’s continuity was guaranteed. Already during the ceremony, the meeting turned into an informal chat, a dialogue that was not very extensive but with a lot of good vibes. Towards the end of the night, the coach put the ball in the center of the field again, although he highlighted his friendship with Tapia. So, what matters is the summit between Scaloni and Messiwho did not attend the ceremony despite being in the city.

“What I said after Brazil is that it was a personal moment to think and I am still in that moment of thinking. It is important to do it after everything we achieved, but there is nothing to define, I’m thinking”said Scaloni minutes after the draw. And he continued with his ambiguous message: “There is nothing strange. The players are doing very well, the team is doing very well, and they need a coach at their level. I still think the same. In any case, I think we have to discard a lot of things that are being said: the relationship with the president was always perfect. “It is exclusively my decision.”.

Claudio Tapia, the president of the AFA, in conversation with the coach of the National Team, Lionel Scaloni.

Likewise, the relationship between Scaloni and Tapia is not immaculate, beyond the -logical- statements of the man born in Pujato. Scaloneta’s father had a gesture: He attended the draw in Florida and prevented Chiqui from making the problem worse.. The image of the AFA would not have been good if the champion coach of America and the world did not attend. A no small fact: in the first row of the room, the president of FIFA, the Swiss, was smiling Gianni Infantino.

“If this is such an important position and with so much significance, you need a person who is one hundred percent involved, knowing well what is coming, which will be very nice things to play, very demanding. There is time until the next meeting. I say it on a personal level: everything that is said afterwards I cannot stop.”were Scaloni’s last words.

In the ceremony there were no crosses between Scaloni and Tapia. He drew attention to the fact that they entered separately. The coach was accompanied by the national team’s press officer, Nicolas Novellowhile the leader was escorted by the official photographer Gustavo ‘Tato’ Pagano and the pro-secretary of the AFA, Luciano Nakis. Inside the venue, Chiqui sat with the rest of the presidents, including Infantino, and the coach did so with the Scaloneta physical trainer, Luis Martin.

Doubt will continue, then. Enough has already been said about Scaloni’s discomfort with some of the AFA’s conduct. In the coming days we will have to focus on the friendlies that will be played between the second and third week of March next year. The coach intends to compete with Europe’s elite, while Tapia prioritizes business and closes matches with exotic rivals. For March there is a juicy offer from China.

The Copa América draw happened and the novelty was not the rivals in Group A nor the much-promoted meeting between Scaloni and Tapia. The coach’s continuity remains in doubt, waiting for clear signs that will indicate a better future.

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2023-12-08 03:24:15
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