Lionel Scaloni admitted it will be hard to replace some of the veterans that have played a key role in Argentina’s recent success – having been given a glimpse of the future last night in the 1-0 defeat to Ecuador.
With Angel Di Maria now retired from international duty, Lionel Messi rested and Nicolas Otamendi sent off after 31 minutes in Guayaquil, a youthful Argentina side went down to Enner Valencia’s penalty 13 minutes into first-half stoppage time.
Even when the numbers were evened up by Moises Caicedo’s dismissal, the visitors could not find a way through as they ended their World Cup qualifying campaign with a defeat.
Argentina needing to find fresh blood
Di Maria, Otamendi and Messi have been influential figures in Argentina winning the last two Copa Americas and the World Cup in 2022 but the latter two are highly unlikely to play on after next year’s global showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
And Scaloni knows they will be sorely missed.
He said: “It is evident that those who have or will leave the national team are of an incredible level. And it is up to us to be able to find those who can continue to keep us at high levels.
“Obviously, it will be difficult to find players of that calibre but our goal is to continue trusting in what brought us here, knowing that there is always an opponent who can win like today.”
Ecuador shut out Argentina
Scaloni had few qualms with the result with Ecuador’s success again built on their remarkable defence that has kept a clean sheet in nine of their last 10 qualifiers.
“When the rival plays well, there are times when you have to suffer,” he added. “We suffered in some moments, especially when we have been left with 10 men.
“The game was distorted by the sending off and we could not create many goalscoring opportunities. But [I’m still] positive, because the team tried, we showed our face in our own way of playing, and against a very good opponent.
“I think the second half was ours. We could have done better but it didn’t happen.
“Fortunately, we are used to winning lately. And there are times when it’s not your turn. Ecuador are a good team and put us in difficulty. In the second half I think the team, after the dismissal of Caicedo, showed a different side and that’s a positive. We have to continue. You don’t always win.”
