Scaloni has never let his guard down and has always been ready to surf adversity

He repeated it over and over again Lionel Scaloni when that undefeated streak ended against Saudi Arabia it hasn’t stopped growing. She said you didn’t have to get any older, that you always had to keep your feet on the ground and above all that the team had to be prepared when adversity came. It looked like a simple umbrella opening because it seemed like adversity would never come. A cliché to avoid general enthusiasm.

However, adversity came too soon. She appeared, unannounced, in her World Cup debut. The defeat was not just a matter of having scored fewer goals than a rival on paper is much inferior. It was also a shock because the team, beyond what was said by the members of La Scaloneta, did not provide immediate answers.

Much has already been said about this, but it is worth insisting: Argentina, beyond the goals scored by the VAR, was not up to par an opponent who won the tactical battle with intelligence and was pure intensity.

It was a warning sign. Because adversity presented itself and the team seemed paralyzed against a Saudi Arabia who left the World Cup eight days later. The Selection had half an hour to try to adjust. But nothing happened at Lusail Stadium. Nothing flowed. And he brought back the worst memories. Because It seemed that the national team was not prepared to climb the slope of adversity.

It was then that it was felt, with much exaggeration, that none of the processes were working. Neither the Copa América rightfully won at the Maracana nor the Final, with a ball against Italy included, nor the unbeaten match in 36 games that made everyone think that comparisons with Mexico 86 were obvious. We are ready to expand. Even be cruel.

And Scaloni, fortunately, was quick to show his reflections. Because it was a real challenge to rearrange the equipment in four days. And he planted it well against Mexico, notwithstanding the fact that the first half, again at Lusail, generated more doubts than certainties.

The crucial moment was Messi’s goalthe one who unlocked the match against those of the Tatta Martino. From there, it seemed as though players would shed a backpack full of cobblestones and begin recovering their memories. It was the first step for the national team to begin to realize that, as Scaloni said, “after a pineapple there’s no other choice but to get up”.

And the team not only got back up, but also understood that they could no longer falter. Because the match against Poland was also a knockout. And there, beyond the fact that the players are the ones who play, the great person responsible for the continuous growth of the Selezione was Scaloni and his technical staff.

Because DT, after having warned him so much, was the first to have the tools to react to adversity. He assumed his status as team leader without any consideration. His wrist hadn’t shaken before the start of the World Cup to change the list when he saw that there were two players touched. And he recalculated when he observed that some components of the starting core were not in ideal conditions.

But he didn’t tarnish after the triumph and realized that the time of adversity was not over. He remained focused on finding the best for the team. And the group understands where it’s going and, at least outside the doors, nobody makes noise or generates interference. Great sign.

Now comes Australia, on Saturday, for the round of 16. And you have to stay on the same path. Because everyone knows that the climb is long and that you have to keep climbing until the seventh match of this World Cup in Qatar.

Doha, Qatar. Special delivery.