Yep. I think he wants people who are good for set pieces especifically.
6
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Yep. I think he wants people who are good for set pieces especifically.
glad he's not starting
Good for United he isn't starting after playing loads this season
But it's weird right? Their defence was crap in the first match (before Martinez came on) - and clearly so much better when Martinez came into the team for the second match.
Don't get the logic.
But it's weird right? Their defence was crap in the first match (before Martinez came on) - and clearly so much better when Martinez came into the team for the second match.
Don't get the logic.
Seems like Scaloni has listened too much to that Talksport podcast where they rant about his height, as Poland probably comes with Milik & Lewandowski duo again, with both very tall strikers.
Hope Poland fecking smashes those twats now. Licha is their best defender comfortably and this moron is benching him again
Only an incompetent manager would bench the butcher in a do-or-die match unlessn the butcher himself is not fit to start.
Is he? Romero is actually really good too, its Ottamendi that I don't know why he starts
Whatever about not starting him at CB, there is no excuse for leaving him out entirely given that he would be a massive upgrade over the current Argie LB.
Think of all of the lovely ball progression he could do from LB too- there's a reason why Arsenal wanted to sign him to play there.
Think of all of the lovely ball progression he could do from LB too- there's a reason why Arsenal wanted to sign him to play there.
He doesn’t start. Argentina don’t deserve Martinez. He was one of their best players last 2 games when he was involved.
He's a better defender than Romero and an all round better footballer in general.
I want Poland win now, criminal he doesn't start. Good for us I guess, he will be fresh for the second half of the season.
Hope they fecking lose. What is that manager up to.
Gutted for him, he looked an absolute boss in the last win and clean sheet.
Don't really know his competitors, but with Martinez you know you'll get an S class performance. Argentina must have some amazing defenders.
Hope Lewa kills this defense with some quick goals.
Miles better I don't think so
What a clown Scaloni is for not selecting his best defender in the starting 11, deserves to go out just for that decision!
Yep. Probably like eons better
Eons better than one of the best CBs in Seria A whilst at Atalanta and also very good at Spurs. I think he's better but I think United fans as usual overstating it all.
See how tonight’s game plays out but yeah it’s a a weird one to leave him out. Rarely misplaces any passes and is great at setting the tempo of a match.
Tbh Scaloni has been chopping and changing like mad so far.
Tbh Scaloni has been chopping and changing like mad so far.
So egotistical from some posters saying they are glad he isn't starting.
To be honest I didn't see much in the last game to write home about. He seemed to be playing very wide when they were in possession, almost playing left back and his passing as a result was very safe. Didn't seem anywhere near as influential on the ball as he is for us though the whole team seemed to have little chemistry together
Wait a minute, he's not even listed as being on the bench, maybe he picked up a knock or illness?
He is generally better than Otamendi now, but Otamendi has been good for the NT. Romero, however, was a disaster against Saudi Arabia. Martinez came in and steadied thw boar, and improved the team vs Mexico. Mad he isn’t starting.
Bad for him, good for us
He's on the bench
Martinez is better than both. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be starting.
Irrelavant to the point made
Just rest Lisandro, there's a busy schedule coming up before Christmas 
He’s been great in a couple of matches but a little overrated in this thread (someone wrote he was top-5 defender in the world). Don’t know if it is true, but speculations I heard on tv was that Argentina wanted defenders who are more involved in the build up.
Otamendi has been a big surprise for me. Think he’s been one of the best CBs in the WC so far.
No offence but you’re comically transparent. Martinez is one of the best ball playing defenders I’ve ever seen. I don’t get your constant requirement to downplay him.
Otamendi has been a beast for some time nkw. People just randomly comment without watching Argentina play and just because he used to be crap at City.
Otamendi- Romero partnership has been great under Scaloni and I can understand why he is reluctant to change that partnership. Acuna also has been great under him.
I have no problem why Otamendi-Romero was Scaloni’s choice going into the cup. Saying any of them are more involved in the build up is just nonsensical, though. Como es tu español? Sure they didn’t say they wanted the players who had been more involved in the build up to the tournament?
I don’t think it’s strange a few of us are in disbelief how our best player this autumn can’t get a spot in this Argentinian team. However, apart from Messi and Di Maria, CB is now their strongest position. Otamendi has been great for the NT, and Romero is a very solid all round player.
I think some are surprized fir the same reason I am: Seeing Romero out of sorts gifting Saudi Arabia two goals, and Martinez come in and shore up defence, then having total control together with Otamendi vs Mexico and becoming increasingly important in the build up were midfielders and full backs were calamitously weak on the ball (Acuña, De Paul, Rodriguez and Montiel). It’s fair to say Martinez was one of Argentina’s best three players in that game, andon merit deserved to start the next game.
Fair play, Argentina made changes before Poland game, and had no defensive troubles at all, so Scaloni has made good. I think it’s fair to say, though, that the main reason for that was a stand-offish Poland and bringing in controller Enzo Fernandez, hard working Alvarez, and going with Molina ahead of Montiel.
Push comes to shove, I don’t think CB choice is the position that will decide Argentinas fortune this year. It’s the collective solidity and the attacking pieces around Messi, as usual.
Their defence pretty much nullified Lewa completely (although that was probably the worst Poland performance i've seen in years) so I'm not really sure i'd change a very good defence to accommodate another defender.
I think Martinez is only 24 and will probably take up Otamendi's role after this world cup? I guess he and Romero could be Argentina's first choice centre backs for a fair few years to come.
I think Martinez is only 24 and will probably take up Otamendi's role after this world cup? I guess he and Romero could be Argentina's first choice centre backs for a fair few years to come.
if that’s true then it makes it more ridiculous for them not to choose Martinez. There aren’t many better defenders in world football when it comes to progressive passes and build up involvement from a defensive position.
Strange to say he’s been overrated in this thread but then suggest Argentina want to play defenders who literally have his qualities.
It wasn’t so much that Argentina nullified Lewa. It was actually Poland who did that. The distance between midfield and Lewa was gigantic. Barely a single player got near Lewa all game to support him. Poland were shocking attitude and application wise.
Titus Bramble and Lovren would have nullified Lewa last night as he was that isolated.
That's a fair comment and that was probably the worst qualification to the knockout rounds i can remember from any team. Poland were that bad! However, I think i'm right in assuming that Romero and Otemendi have been first choice for a decent period of time and i'm not sure you break up a steady partnership, even for a really good defender like Martinez.
I think the Dutch have a similar issue with their wealth of centre back talent.
He really is.
Aren't you being extremely sensitive now? Anything but describing him like perfect seems to be dowplaying him according to you.
From what I have seen and read, I agree.
Yes it looks like Scaloni got it right.
I don't think Martinez progressive play was fantastic against Mexico, but that's my personal opinion and if you think different that's fine. Don't you think Otamendi's progressive play was good yesterday?
The way they set up yesterday, the CBs played an important role in winning back the ball early after they lost possession, so I would say CBs are important for Argentina. That role should suit Martinez.
I am not sure that was the reason, it was speculation. I just checked Otamendi's stats from the league this season, as I thought he was really good yesterday, and his progressive stats are very impressive compared to all our CBs. Of course stats do not tell everything and those are from two very different leagues, but it still shows a bit what kind of player he is.
Yes I think he is a bit overrated in this thread, when someone says he is among the 5 best defenders in the world. Or you think he is top-5 in the world? I personally don't even think he is the best defender at the club.
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