“The World Cup is won by intelligent, cautious teams who know how to attack,” said Lionel Scaloni, in his first definition of the World Cup

His word was missing. After making the list official last Friday and meeting the 26 chosen by Argentina to climb the dream of Qatar 2022, Lionel Scaloni had not opened his mouth, beyond the video in which he mentioned the names. Until this Tuesday, here in Abu Dhabi. A few hours from the last friendly before the World Cup, this Wednesday against the United Arab Emirates, the coach gave his explanations on the final cut, spoke about Lionel Messi, gave his first definitions about the upcoming competition and he nearly broke when asked what he would say to those players left out at the last minute. An authentic Scaloni just a few days after his debut as the youngest DT in this World Cup.

“We made the list thinking of the best for the team and it was logical that good players were left out. It was difficult, because beyond the name in recent years we have formed a good group. We decided to put it together like this, we are happy, we are good”, said Lionel Scaloni with sensitivity towards those who are not there, such as Giovani Lo Celso (due to injury) and Angel Correa (by decision of the armed forces).

seven games. Those that every player of the national team wants to play in a World Cup, the goal of the great shields of the football planet. Seven. The same ones that Scaloni played as a player for the blue-and-whites during his time in the Major League (five friendlies, one in the Qualifiers and another in Germany 2006). That number who now dreams of taking Argentina to the Qatar 2022 final, the most important sporting challenge of his coaching career, which in reality is the one who has been guiding Messi and his company for just four years.

Would you trade those seven appearances of yours to climb these seven steps in the Middle East with the DT diver and be able to direct the final? “It’s a trick question, huh,” he replies clarion with a mischievous face But, immediately, he gives a good definition: “I was the happiest in the world when I arrived in the national team. I played those seven games you mention, but I made more than 40 call-ups. moments for me are unrepeatable. They remain marked in football life. I have stored them in my retina. And that’s what I tell the kids. Being in company, enjoying a World Cup… I’m not one to think about tomorrow, what has to happen, will happen.”

And he added: “I have a photo of me in the gallery of my home in Pujato from when I was seven or eight years old in the Argentina shirt and every time I go I see it. Of course I thought about how nice it could be to play in the national team, I succeeded and now I can direct him”. But at the same time he stopped the ball under his sole and warned that with his coaching staff they try not to stop and think about these issues: “We are spontaneous and we don’t stop to think. We enjoy the moments and we don’t stop.” load us with a weight that we don’t need. In every World Cup there is a younger coach and it was my turn, I’m happy to be at the helm of this great group.”

In a week’s time, the national team will take to the grass at the Lusail Stadium in Doha for the first ever match. And the DT born in Pujato was already beginning to pulsate in the most important tournament of all. “The World Cup is won by intelligent, cautious teams who know when to attack and when to defend. A team that is always on the opposite pitch and that overwhelms all their opponents rarely wins. Intelligence is part of football and we’ll have to adapt to find out what suits us “, he specified on how to approach each match.

Scaloni confessed that the physical problems that some of his executives have keep him on his toes. “The physical aspect is worrying because until last night we didn’t have everyone. The team that will play tomorrow (for this Wednesday) must give guarantees and we won’t take any risks. We will depend on what the players say when we talk to them. It will be the first time we will think more about the future”, he remarked, clarifying that he will not unmask those who are on the edge.

In this sense, he confided that Nicolás Tagliafico will be available and that both Cristian Romero and Marcos Acuña “are quite well and we will evaluate how they are”.

On Gio Lo Celso’s absence and on how to replace him, he said: “We played without him, even if he has a particular characteristic because he is left-footed and occupies that sector well. There are variations. It will depend on what we are looking for in each game. he will never be an inside player or a winger or a forward. A team is built with the ball and we have clear ideas about this.”

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Special delivery.

GL