Mac Allister criticizes Gorosito and Fabbiani: “Why don’t they manage in Europe”

“Managing in Europe is 100 times easier than here,” he said in early February. Nestor Pipo Gorosito, when he was still coach of Tigre, and left open the question of whether direction in Argentine football is more complex than in European football. From another aspect, but always in line with the differences between the forms of local football and that of the Old Continent, Cristian l’Ogro Fabbiani has recently also entered that comparison.

“Everyone criticizes (Edinson) Cavani and everything, but in Europe defenders don’t mark you. But they literally don’t mark you, that’s why there are so many goals,” he assured. The debate has also grown on social media, with the opinions of the fans themselves. But now, as a Liverpool player, the one who also entered into that discussion was Alexis MacAllisterwhich presented a different perspective…

In conversation with ESPN, Mac Allister, who spoke about his presence in the Argentine national team and Liverpool, was also asked, among other things, about the debate on whether or not it is easier to manage in Europe. Although the Reds’ number 10 claims that, from his point of view, it doesn’t seem as simple as he thinks managing in the Old Continent: “he IS strange. The other day I heard that European defenders don’t score, that it’s easy to play there. It’s always easy to talk. If you say that (Pep) Guardiola and (Jurgen) Klopp come to Argentina, why don’t the coaches who say that come to Europe? Why don’t they go there? “It’s not so easy.”

“Evidently they are right when they say they have great players. It’s the reality. There are players who are bought for 80 or 100 million and this is a very clear reality, but it’s not that easy either. Another big problem is managing those players who are worth 80 or 100 million. Not everything is simple”, Mac Allister added.

Nonetheless, the national team midfielder said he respects all opinions and said he does not believe that neither Guardiola nor Klopp will ever lead Argentina, so the answer to these debates will never be found: “I understand that we can talk about many things because in the end talking is free and everything is fine, everyone has their point of view and this must be respected one hundred percent. And I don’t think Jurgen and Guardiola will come to Argentina either, so it’s something we will never be able to verify, ah.”

Mac Allister: Scaloni, the national team, Liverpool and more

Beyond the debate on the differences between Argentine and European football, Mac Allister obviously also spoke about his present with the Argentine national team. First of all on the continuity of Lionel Scaloni on the bench, after that statement that raised everyone’s doubts last year after the victory against Brazil in the South American qualifiers.

“The truth is that at the beginning it was a surprise for everyone. We had no information nor did we expect it because the truth is that things were going quite well, beyond that defeat against Uruguay. I think it was something that we as players had to respect and he had to take his time to think about the future and everything that’s happening. And thank God he stayed with us a little longer, He knows that we are very grateful to him and that we want him to continue leading this great group. Happy because we see and need that positivity both inside and out,” Alexis said.

He also explained the complexity of maintaining the highest level after winning the last World Cup: “If you look at the different moments of the players after winning a World Cup, Many players tell you that it’s difficult, after reaching the top of everything, to be able to focus on what’s to come. I think it’s normal. It’s good that he took his time. The whole group is focused and we have very big goals for the future, so we are happy to have him with us. Without a doubt there is a lot of positivity in the group.”

As for the question of whether Scaloni has said anything more about his doubts about whether to continue as a coach, Mac Allister clarified that he hasn’t and that, in any case, there doesn’t seem to be much to talk about: “No, There’s not even much to talk about.” There’s a lot to say. The important thing is that he is with us and that the group is well and focused on the objectives we have.”

He also spoke about Lionel Messi, absent from this FIFA event due to an injury sustained against Inter Miami. “We always focus on what the group is and what the team is, and we know very well that when Leo is not there we have to become much stronger, because we don’t have that player who maybe when things go wrong can save us. We are doing very well and we are focusing a lot on what we want, the training sessions come with an excellent level of intensity, with the new guys who are fitting in very well. Everything is positivism and we want to continue like this” commented Mac Allister.

“We know that when Leo is on the pitch they are a little more afraid and that’s normal. But we also have players who play in big European clubs. and we are sure that when they (the rivals) see the Argentine national team and the players we have, they will understand that it will not be easy,” he added.

The best midfielder in the world?

When asked how he received the opinions of those who define him as the best midfielder in the world, Mac Allister explained that he prefers to avoid paying attention to these types of comments and that he feels embarrassed when they mention them to him: “I’m a bit embarrassed and I try not to concentrate too much because if you concentrate when it’s good, you also concentrate when it’s bad. So I try to stay calm, serene, in my head I try to continue working and improving every day, “But I’m also aware that I’m at an excellent level, in a great club, with teammates who help me do everything as best as I can, so I’m also happy with my present.”

More quotes from Mac Allister

Luis Diaz: “Luchito is a cracker. He has incredible skill. Today he is one of the best South Americans in the world and the truth is that he is giving us a lot as a player. Even as a person. The truth is that the human qualities that he has… he is always very happy, so I really enjoy being with him at the club and being with him every day. “He is a great player who contributes a lot.”

Darwin Núñez: “Darwin is perhaps the person with whom I am closest within the club. We have many teammates, many chats, today he is a friend who I like to have by my side and I have fun with him. On the pitch I think he demonstrated everything he can give. Physically it is an animal. Mentally he is very strong. And he always wants to play and score goals. “Your gift makes me very happy and I hope it continues to bring us joy.”

Has Klopp tried mate?: “For now he doesn’t want to try anything. But he always motivates me because he sees me all day with mate in my hand.”

The Premier League: “It’s what we want. It’s the bigger goal. I met some Liverpool fans the other day and they told me that the priority is the Premier League. It is for us too. “It will be a good match against Arsenal, against Manchester City… We are concentrating on ourselves and we know that if we do things well we will have the chance to win it.”

Klopp’s imminent departure from Liverpool: “He seemed very confident in his decision. You can see that he’s thought about it a lot and that in the end it’s a personal decision. I respect it a lot. Obviously it’s a shame for me too” because it’s my first year with him. He’s the person who brought me to Liverpool. We hope that at another time our paths can cross again.”

Who asks him about Liverpool’s Boca: “Allison always told me that her dream is to play for the Bombonera. We talked a lot with him. Lucho Díaz also because he played with Júnior in La Bombonera. Some bother me a little. Some become River fans to oppose me, ah. But they ask me a lot.”

If he invited some of his teammates to play Argentine football: “Yes, especially the South Americans. Telling the Europeans to go to Argentina today is a bit complicated. It’s difficult. They are all very identified with their clubs and their countries, but I hope that one day one of them can play for Boca. We will see.”

Valentín Barco: “I spoke a little more with Facu Buonanotte, who makes me happy that he is well, and we talked about what Brighton is and so on. But I see Colo as good, with a great desire to learn. I think he is going well.”

If he would like to play at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: “I have to be careful because they’ll say the headline is ‘he wants to go and play in the Olympics.’ I was able to be there and unfortunately that experience was not as beautiful as I had dreamed or as I would have liked. I would love to play another Olympics again and for things to be a little nicer, not in a COVID atmosphere, and to be able to enjoy it the way I wanted. But this year’s team looks very good, there are great players, older options who raise their hand and say they want to go. But obviously if the call is there, welcome it, But I’m also aware that at that moment I fought a lot to be let go because Brighton didn’t want to let me go and neither do clubs have an obligation. And that becomes a big problem.”

His shot at Alejandro Garnacho at the corner between Liverpool and Manchester United: “He can’t have many opinions. He doesn’t talk much because he knows it’s coming, ha. I was angry about the way we lost him, but hey, things happen. “They are also a great team and a great institution, and of course we wish Ale (Garnacho) the best.”

Retirement: “The idea is to retire at Deportivo Mac Allister, but it would also be very nice to make a move to Argentinos Juniors. because everyone knows that my family is very grateful to the company and has given us everything. So I hope one day that happens.”