The special feeling that every debut generates very soon led to helplessness for Javier Burrai, he Argentine nationalized Ecuadorian who occupied the team’s goal for the first time. He had not had the opportunity to intervene when a left-handed bomb from Lorenzo Pellegrini from outside the area he hit an angle. There were barely two minutes of the friendly that Italy won 2-0 at the Red Bull Arena in New York. Burrai’s first contact with the ball was to go look for it inside his goal to serve from the middle. Uphill from the start.
To the 33 years, Burrai became the sixth archer born in our country who goes on to defend Ecuador. It is added to the list they were already on Pedro Latino, Marcelo Elizaga, Javier Klimowicz, Esteban Dreer and Hernán Galíndez. The goalkeeper position is predominant among the 13 Argentine soccer players who throughout history adopted Ecuadorian nationality to join the national team.
Born in San Nicolás, Burrai debuted at Arsenal and went through Guillermo Brown (Puerto Madryn), Sarmiento and Gimnasia de Jujuy. In 2018 he joined Macará (Ecuador) and since 2000 he has played for Barcelona, Guayaquil, with which he won a league title. Last September he finished the nationalization procedures and received the first call for the date of the playoffs. He was a substitute for Alexander Dominguez against Colombia and Chile.
He was also on the bench in last Thursday’s friendly, 2-0 against Guatemala. Against Italy he got the debut he had been waiting for so much. “Personally It’s a pride, I already said it when I was summoned for the first time. From wherever I am I will contribute, as I did in November. I am available for whatever is required of me. It is my second call and I experience it as one of the new ones,” said Burrai, who is 1.88m tall.
Galíndez, who occupied the fence in the World Cup in Qatar, remains on the Ecuadorian team, in the team led by Gustavo Alfaro. Under the technical direction of the Spanish Félix Sánchez, the current Huracán goalkeeper alternated ownership with Domínguez, who had a stint at Vélez.
Burrai’s summons divided opinions among Ecuadorian fans. Some consider it deserved, but others question whether it is necessary to resort to the naturalization of a foreigner. In addition to Domínguez, the other Ecuadorian-born goalkeeper who was in the last calls is Moisés Ramírez, injured.
Conceding a goal so quickly, although it was more of Pellegrini’s merit than Burrai’s defect, affected his confidence; in some plays he seemed nervous and imprecise, especially when going out to cut off crosses. He vindicated himself with a block on Nicolo Zaniolo, who finished near the six-yard box.
In the second half there was less activity, Italy attacked sporadically, but in the last play of the friendly, at 49 minutes, they suffered from the quality of Nicolo Barella, which he defined with a subtle touch on Burrai’s departure.
Retegui entered the rotation: he played 15 minutes
Luciano Spalletti made numerous changes with respect to the Italian formation that last Thursday beat Venezuela 2-1, with two goals from Mateo Retegui. Precisely, the former Tigre forward was one of those who entered the rotation.
Back to the Blue After the injury that had sidelined him in previous games, Retegui has four goals in six games (four starts and only one fully played). His average is one goal every 90 minutes. In the conference prior to the match this Sunday, Spalletti expressed: “Retegui is perfect. Against Venezuela he did a great job as a finisher. Whoever scores goals always does something more than others. He also helped us in the defensive aerial game, he works well with his head. He has things to improve, There are technically superior players, but none of the candidates to be Italy’s No. 9 feels the goal as much as he does.”.
Against Ecuador he entered 30 minutes into the second half, for Giacomo Raspadori. He was intense and searched the area decisively; He also had a run-in with Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández’s teammate at Chelsea. Because of his goals against Venezuela he was wanted by the Italian press, eager to find mirrors for him: “I don’t think about comparing myself to Batistuta. He was a great champion, one of the strongest forwards in the world and also in Italy he did very well, first with Fiorentina and then winning a scudetto coin Rome.”
Retegui reaffirmed his decision to become an Italian national, given the prospect that Lionel Scaloni I was not going to call him up to the Argentine national team: “I was right to choose Italy, Now I have to deserve this shirt. I chose her and I want to play with her as much as possible. I’ve only been here for a short time, I want to grow, focusing on each objective. I know that I have to work hard and have my feet on the ground, only then will I be able to improve day by day. The way is long. I want to go to the Euro Cup (in June in Germany) and I will do everything to convince the coach. If it doesn’t happen, I will cheer for Italy in front of the television.”