“If you fail, you end up on your knees”: four Argentine journalists analyze the fall of the Albiceleste

The football earthquake was global and, although the epicenter was in Qatar 2022, it is in Argentina where the most intense aftershocks are experienced. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1 at the start of Group C and left Lionel Messi’s team with the obligation to win their other two games against Mexico and Poland to think about the round of 16.

The VAR as the protagonist, a regular performance by Lionel Messi -22 turnovers-, and a great performance by the Arab 10 Salem Al Dawsari, is the brief summary of the game that South America experienced very early on last Tuesday.

From various parts of Argentina and even from Qatar, sports journalists answer four questions that obey the moment the Argentine team is going through in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

1) Why did Argentina fall?

2) Can you continue to be a candidate for the title by losing to Saudi Arabia in your debut?

3) What should Lionel Scaloni correct?

4) Is the Argentine team paying dearly for the success of the people? Will it happen in 2002?

OPINIONS

Mariano Bereznicki – La Capital newspaper – Rosario

1. The debut was not what was expected, much less what was dreamed of. One of the visible reasons was collective desynchronization. Especially in the last line. Mistakes were made as many games hadn’t happened and it was paid dearly. It is the price of playing a World Cup. If you fail you can end up on your knees as it finally happened to Argentina. The defeat was as surprising as the walk exhibited on the court.

two. An adverse result can lower the illusion in the bag of hope, but that does not stop Argentina from continuing in the race and being one of the powers in this World Cup. A defeat in the debut conditions the team to win at any cost against Mexico and Poland. There is a squad and enough hierarchy to qualify for the round of 16.

3. The defensive system, above all. Not in vain he touched up the defense with the income of ‘Huevo’ Acuña and Lisandro Martínez. Of course, he should also readjust the De Paul-Paredes circuit.

Four. Success is practically part of the Argentine DNA in football matters. It happens that in the collective unconscious we seek to cling to victory or general joy by the hand of the most popular and passionate sport that identifies us. There is a tremendous need and excessive desire to become world champion again. Perhaps in this tournament more than in others because it could be Messi’s last. Regarding the comparison with what happened in Korea-Japan 2002, I believe that Argentina will not repeat that meager experience. But at the same time it is mature that La Scaloneta cannot afford to give up more points in the two remaining dates of the first round.

Julio Nakhle – The Tribune – Jump

1. He lost because the game was left over and he was surprised by Saudi Arabia. Also because it was noticed that there are players who did not arrive in full physical condition, as was the case with Cuti Romero (quickly replaced) and Messi with differentiated training in the previous one.

two. Yes. The defeat against Cameroon in 1990 is an example of this and despite that they reached the final. Yes, I think it is a significant mental blow, but he is a candidate.

3. adjust defense and midfield. Argentina is two teams in one: dangerous when attacking and vulnerable when defending.

Four. I don’t think so, on the contrary: the National Team is very comfortable with the unconditional support of the people. If they lost last year’s Copa América and were defeated today, the fans would ask for the heads of the players. Today the hopes continue to make a great World Cup. And 2002 is the memory that inevitably comes. The economic chaos, great confidence in the team, getting up early to see this first game and the impossibility of traveling for many, is part of that ugly memory we have.

Emiliano Nunia – Cooperative Television

1. There was a huge difference tactically. Saudi Arabia knew Argentina’s every move. He also played it as a world final. Argentina played it more lightly and for me with some physical deficiencies that had repercussions on the mood and football. The great unknown of this Selection was how it could respond to an adverse scenario and a defeat. Obviously it was not up to par. He had no rebellion. Hopefully it’s a call to attention and not a death wound thinking about the duels with Mexico and Poland.

two. Like 24 hours before this surprise debut, Argentina must remain calm and cautious. Lower expectations, sustain conviction and above all be realistic. Inside and outside. After this initial defeat against Saudi Arabia, it is impossible to label this Candidate Selection. For these hours the most important thing before thinking about being candidates, we must know if this team has enough mental strength to beat Mexico and Poland. I’m sure of something: Argentina, after this defeat, will become the team with the most pressure from now on.

3. There has to be an immediate sincerity of the players with Scaloni, because there are players who today showed that they were not physically well. For example, “Cuti” Romero, who was surprised by both goals. Change from the names, there is not much to change. In particular, I am one of those who believe that a World Cup cannot be played without a branded central midfielder and Paredes is not. It’s more of a game than a brand. I don’t imagine many changes, because it would continue to raise doubts in a complicated context, after an initial defeat.

Four. This National Team had not known what it was like to lose for more than three years. And now he lost. In a World Cup It’s a hit. There was an excessive illusionism, it is true. This is a blow that should serve us Argentines to learn the lesson, because it seems that we do not learn. It happened to us in 2002 and we didn’t learn. The scenario is similar, both teams reached the World Cup on equal terms. Two teams used to winning, with consolidated ideas. The only thing that separates one team from another is if this Scaloni team achieves a mental strength – that Bielsa did not have – to show that it has personality in the face of an adverse situation and thus avoid a resounding failure. The outlook is not encouraging, after this fall, but it still depends on Argentina and that is the most important news for a team that was surprised and hit hard.

Ariel Senosiain – TyC Sports

1. Argentina lost for different reasons. There is never a single explanation for a loss. There was a lack of opportunism to define the situations that opened up for them in the first half, with a team that left behind concessions and later because of that extraordinary flurry from Saudi Arabia that when they tied the game they realized they could win it. That led to Argentina being very bad emotionally. He couldn’t get up. She seemed delivered in the physical. She had chances to tie it, but she didn’t deserve it, because she had a poor performance overall.

2. The candidacy is permanently revalidated. It is clear that a team that starts a World Cup like this is now in debt. And you have to lower the consideration a bit. We’ll see if he recovers.

3. I understand that this team lost its style today, the lack of intensity, the fierceness, the attitude, both to recover the ball and to show itself. Scaloni must crush to recover that, and fundamentally lift a team that was touched in the mood.

4. I don’t think the team is paying for the success of the people. It is not success, but a bond that was generated by being champion of America. The team goes out to the field and success is not present. Just want to beat the front.