It was a closing of the tour in accordance with the expectations of the argentine national team. The victory against Costa Rica 3-1 left good feelings for Lionel Scaloniwhich from now on will be fully focused on the America Cup. That is why after the game in Los Angeles he already sent a message to his players ahead of the continental event and explained that there are only two places guaranteed for the competition that will take place in the United States: Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María.
Scaloni valued the team’s production in both games, against El Salvador and against Costa Rica, and acknowledged that these friendlies helped him adjust the group’s movements: “We are satisfied with the tour, with how the games went. In the end it was seen that there is no easy rival and that everyone makes things difficult. In the second game it helped us a lot, I saw a very mature team because we found ourselves in difficulty, with the game down, and the team played a very good 25 minutes in the second half. I am happy about that, we are going to find many games like this and it helps us”.
The Argentine coach even explained that it was very important to be able to give training to players who do not usually have so many minutes in the senior team: “I am happy for Wálter (Benítez). He played a good game, the truth is that the game was not easy and we are happy. The same as Garnacho and Carboni. They are guys who can contribute to us and we will see in the future if they will be with us. But I’m happy, it’s not easy to play with this shirt or with these rivals who make it difficult for you. We’re ok”.
In the press conference after the victory with Costa Rica, Scaloni also spoke about all the variants that the world champion team has when it comes to setting up a half of the field: In addition, the national coach highlighted the proper names that Argentina has in the middle of the field: “The team always had many good midfielders. Exequiel (Palacios) did not come to this tour, Guido (Rodríguez) is also out, Thiago (Almada) is in the Under 23. We are well covered and, if someone’s performance drops, there is another to play. Let no one give themselves away because he who is best plays.”
And as is logical, attention focused on the team’s next big step in 2024: the Copa América. For some time now there has been speculation about the formation of the final list for that competition and regarding this, Scaloni made it clear that there are only two surnames noted at the moment: “It is a possibility (that of Benítez as second goalkeeper), in the world of football nothing is known. Today he is here, I’m sure he had his big chance because it’s evident that he came with us, but I can’t guarantee any of those who came here. Only the one who didn’t come, who already know. The rest, pick and shovel. Well, Fideo (Di María) too… He has it guaranteed”.