Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni accused the media of attempting to assist the Netherlands with leaks and damage questions.
- De Paul & Di Maria may miss quarter-final
- Scaloni hit out at leaks surrounding his workforce
- Accused press of damaging preparations
WHAT HAPPENED? Argentina’s preparations for the World Cup quarter-final sport towards the Dutch have been overshadowed by stories that Rodrigo De Paul is injured and at risk of lacking the match, whereas Angel Di Maria could possibly be out after lacking the last-16 win towards Australia.
WHAT THEY SAID: Scaloni didn’t take the questions nicely and hit out on the media throughout his press convention, saying: “Our coaching session was behind closed doorways, why are you asking me about De Paul? Are you attempting to assist the Netherlands? It’s not good for us when info leaks out into the media, it’s all very unusual.
“There may be yet one more coaching session and we’ll see whether or not Rodrigo and [Di Maria] are capable of play or not. The system will even most likely depend upon how the wingers are doing bodily, because the necessary factor is that whoever performs is at 100 per cent.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Even when Di Maria and De Paul miss the match towards the Oranje, Argentina will really feel they’ve sufficient firepower to threaten their opponents. Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez and Papu Gomez are all nonetheless obtainable for the last-eight conflict.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
Getty
WHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA? If Scaloni’s males overcome Netherlands on Friday they’ll go on to face both Brazil or Croatia within the semi-finals.