Selection dilemmas: scoring becomes an unthinkable problem for Scaloneta

Emphasize that Staircase has a problem with the bow seems silly because Emiliano Martinez, the undisputed starter, is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Protagonists from all the teams and national teams around the world line up to praise the Drawing. But it is a silent and no small matter of concern Lionel Scaloni less than three months before the start of America’s Cup. Who is the replacement? What happens if Dibu cannot participate in a match? How much influence Geronimo Rulli AND Juan Musso Don’t have minutes on your teams?

Rulli (31 years old) e FrancoArmani (37) detached Drawing in Qatar 2022, while Musso (29), one of the coach’s favourites, was left at the door. According to Rulli himself he was Martínez’s replacement. “With Croatia I warmed up as if I had to play, everyone was waiting to see if Dibu could play or not. They treated him first and he was able to leave”She said.

But time passes and this season is not at all the best for Rulli. The goalkeeper, saved in 4 matches for the national team, suffered a dislocated right shoulder in the first match, on 12 August 2023 against Heracles and had to undergo surgery. Since then, he hasn’t seen action. He barely played 32 minutes in 39 games (3510 minutes) of Ajax in the season.

At the beginning of the year Rulli was close to returning to Estudiantes to seek continuity, but due to a family matter he decided to stay in Europe. At this time, he has gone from being the replacement for Drawing being one and a half meters from the Copa América.

Musso (2 matches for the national team) was the other substitute when Rulli was not present. He was even superior to Armani in Scaloni’s consideration, beyond the fact that the River player almost didn’t miss the calls. But the year of the one who grew up in Racing was not productive in Atalanta either: he saved in 2 of the team’s 12 duels (both against Sporting Lisbon, in the Europa League). That lack of continuity has sidelined him from this tour.

In this context, therefore, Armani (19 appearances for the national team) appears as the natural candidate to replace Dibu. It happens that the one born in Casilda has lowered his level in recent years in the River and who doesn’t compete week after week in European championships.

“In the definition work you can see the quality of the kids who play in Europe. They wait until the last minute for the goalkeeper and always try from the low post or from a tight angle. It helps you a lot to keep adding experience. “I have to take advantage of this moment, as well as enjoy it, because you don’t experience it every day.”Armani confessed in 2018, as soon as he made his debut for the national team.

AS, the figure of Walter Benítez bursts in. It is very likely that the 31-year-old from Chaco will make his debut in Tuesday’s match at midnight against Costa Rica. And, if it happens, it will be an act of justice because the season he is experiencing at PSV Eindhoven, leaders of the Eredivisie, is brilliant: he saved in 39 of the team’s 41 matches and scored 31 goals.

“Many times the game happens in your head. As a goalkeeper you have to stay there for 90 to 100 minutes, concentrated in the background, to be ready for that shot that could change the whole game. Now the goalkeeper has more responsibility than before”Benítez said Atletico.

And he expanded: “I spent a lot of time in France, facing incredible players like Messi, Mbappé, Di María and Neymar. They can do incredible things in a second. You think: ‘Ah, the ball is going that way, and before you know it.” . , “They changed the shape of his body and placed it on the opposite side.”.