Happiness sheer happiness. Having watched time and time again Argentina fall at the final hurdle with some magnificent players and teams the result was all important. I was starting to think I might shuffle off this mortal coil without seeing the side win again.
Scaloni did a number on Tite tactically. High pressed, pressed in numbers and managed to slow the tempo from the start with some neat triangles and holding the ball. And when Tite decided to bring on an extra attacker bringing on Tagliafico to work with Acuna to nullify the crosses coming in from the right and Richarlison as the pressure built. de Paul was MOTM. Simply outstanding. But they all did their job. Montiel for instance complete with bloodied sock made his tackles and interceptions, Otamendi looked solid no doubt aided by having Romero with him although Cuti did leave the heart in the mouth at one moment.
Scaloni was a cheap cheap option when chosen given the AFA was near bankrupt. However he along with some wise heads in the form of Samuel, Aimar, Placente and Ayala have learnt from mistakes, fostered a great team spirit and made Messi feel at home and got the best out of him. Not to mention overhauling an ageing side. However this success needs to be the start of trying to win more titles and looking unfortunately and sadly to an Argentina minus Messi post 2022.
There are still weaknesses in the team. Some players need particularly the younger ones need to realize sitting on benches or sticking around in a 'minor' league is not the best way forward. We saw that with Martinez and Romero who wanted to show what they can do. The youngsters will no doubt get a lot of confidence from this success and the whole morale of Argentina as a footballing nation lifted. But they also need to learn that they have to continue to improve and become invaluable assets for their club sides and become leaders. So Nico G at Fiorentina for instance talented as he is needs to become a leader for them, young Perez (which he has already done to be fair to him at Familcao and a weak Parma team), Palacios at Leverkusen after having been treated ridiculously by Bosz. Even El Toro needs to become more of a threat and others with no denigration aimed at Ajax need to move on. Namely Licha Martinez.
The DM area is a weak one. Paredes is not a DM although he played well. Someone like Licha seems an ideal candidate. Perhaps Asascibar can shine again at Hertha as he did before injuries took a toll. Talent will continue to pour out of Argentina as soon as it is recognized which is unfortunate but inevitable. Therefore the age division sides need to be looked at seriously and treated as the stepping stones they were under Pekerman and Tocalli and show a distinct improvement over recent efforts. Sending a weakened side to the Olympics for instance is something that I do not approve of.
However that is for another day. To DucheneM, and indeed all Albiceleste fans around the globe if they happen to read this. Vamos Argentina carajo. What tremendous joy. The smile has not left my face and I don't think it will until the next match in the qualifiers. Wear that beautiful blue and white jersey with pride. The only sadness being that Diego and Alex Sabella were not around to see this.
