Lautaro Martínez and a frontal conference: how Mexico is played, the VAR controversy and his response to Kun Agüero

In the preview of the match between the Argentina national team Y Mexicofor the second date of group C of Qatar World Cup, Lautaro Martínez spoke in a conference. With a good nose and great faith in what’s to come, the former Racing driver spoke calmly and dropped several titles, which is rare in this type of meeting with the press.

In one of them, Lautaro He was consulted on a comment by Kun Agüero, who said that for the type of game in Saudi Arabia “it was not a match for Lautaro” because he was a rival who was throwing the bilge and had to be attacked from the sides.

The national team goalscorer clarified that he had not listened to Kun’s sentence and avoided controversy with his former teammate but explained the reasons for the tactical agreement that was implemented against Saudi Arabia.

“We were sad, hurt by what was the match against Arabia. But for us it was left behind. There is no time at the World Cup, now we will have to face a tough rival like Mexico. A couple of years ago we we faced them, we did well, now we are preparing for that match,” Toro began.

Then he answered whether the nerves affected the debut. “For many of us it was the first match of a World Cup, so many things happen to you, anxiety, illusion, the family in the stands. But when the referee blows his whistle you forget everything. We have to let it go, we lost because of the our mistakes. We have to keep calm, Mexico plays with the ball, the field is open and we have to counter it to take advantage of it”.

“The defeat was a hard blow because there was so much enthusiasm. We haven’t had to experience that situation for a long time, so it was difficult. But it’s a very strong, united group, who knows what they want and what adversity is for other things that we passed,” added the goalscorer.

The goal is Mexico, and Lautaro is clear. “Tomorrow’s game is a final for us, we have to win. We don’t just have to show the hierarchy, but what we have inside. We have shown that we have it,” he said. And he avoided talking about a possible scenario of defeat against the team led by Tata Martino: “We don’t think we’ll lose. We haven’t talked, there’s no pressure. We trust in our work, in our technical staff and in ourselves”. “. We’ve already had the duel and now we’re thinking about Mexico. We’re serene and confident that we’ll take the field and represent Argentina properly”.

Response to Kun’s opinion

After the defeat against Saudi Arabia, Kun left a judgment that made some noise: “The match wasn’t for Lautaro. In the 9th minute… you have to wait and see what happens, if you have a rebound. Lautaro did what he had to do, to stay between the two central defenders. Sometimes Leo would go offside so that the central defenders would go back a bit. It is impossible to look for him (Lautaro) there. I have played against teams like that. the winger and there is it’s the possibility that you have a hand in hand.”

Lautaro avoids controversy but leaves his post: “I didn’t listen to Kun, it was his opinion. Maybe we lacked the speed to move the ball and find space, that last pass. In the first half we tried to run on the flanks, and in the second half, with the two goals conceded, I think we felt the blow and it cost us, it should serve as a lesson for us”.

Against Saudi Arabia everything would have been different if the VAR or the semi-automatic offside hadn’t canceled out a goal by Lautaro in the first half. “The VAR, nothing. It is surprising that if he were enabled, these types of mistakes continue to be made. There will be people who will deal with them”, I complain, with a gesture of anger.

And he spoke of Mexico: “We’ve seen a lot of material on how he defends and how he attacks. If we manage to defend ourselves well and come out of it, we can repeat the result of a couple of years ago.” Without details, Lautaro referred to the July 2019 friendly, when Argentina won the Tri in Texas 4-0, with a hat-trick from Inter’s top scorer today.

More quotes from Lautaro

“There are no physical problems because we had a week of rest. The confusion of matches is something we’re used to, someone can arrive with pain and discomfort, but it’s normal for all matches. But the whole group is fine, ready to play”.

“People feel identified with this team. Tomorrow we will go and defend this shield and this country as it should.”

“I think we can play, that’s why the coach repeats it so much. The main characteristic of this team is to play ball, to have fun. That’s why this team has fun and gives them security. In training we also have fun with the corresponding seriousness , but that’s what allows us to play.”