Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni gave an replace on Angel di Maria and Rodrigo De Paul’s availability for the World Cup quarter-final in opposition to the Netherlands.
Argentina boss Scaloni stays coy about Di Maria health for Netherlands conflict (Reuters)
By India Today Web Desk: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni remained coy when he was requested if Angel Di Maria and Rodrigo De Paul can be accessible for his or her World Cup quarterfinal in opposition to the Netherlands on Thursday. Di Maria missed the last-16 win over Australia on account of damage, and midfielder De Paul’s health is questionable.
Argentina will face the Netherlands on Friday in a rematch of their 2014 semi-final match in Brazil, which Argentina gained on penalties after a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes. The 2 nations have met 5 occasions in World Cup historical past, together with 1978 closing, which Argentina gained 3-1 after additional time. Argentina has by no means gained a 90-minute match in opposition to the Dutch.
“In precept, they’re feeling properly and we’ll see in at present’s coaching and provide you with a lineup,” he advised a information convention.
“Yesterday, we educated behind closed doorways so I do not know the place this data is coming from … (however) the staff comes first, so for those who’re out on the sphere, you should be match so to assist the staff.”
“We all know that our staff will break their backs as we now have completed in earlier video games. Generally we have performed very properly, generally not that properly, however we now have at all times stood up for ourselves and that is the factor that our folks worth.
Scaloni would additionally not be drawn on whether or not he most popular to play arch-rivals Brazil or Croatia within the semi-finals if Argentina will get by way of and stated he felt the match was nonetheless broad open.
Since Louis van Gaal returned to the helm for the third time in August of final 12 months, the Netherlands have gone unbeaten in 19 video games. Van Gaal was additionally in cost when the Netherlands narrowly missed out on a fourth World Cup closing. As a substitute, an Argentinean staff led by Alejandro Sabella superior earlier than shedding 1-0 to Germany in additional time within the closing.
“It’s a very, very skinny line. We can not actually inform who’re the favourites and who can win it. We’re speaking about evenly matched nationwide groups.”
