|
Argentina coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said he plans to call up Carlos Tevez, the most notorious absence from the Albiceleste's 2014 World Cup squad. Martino told La Nacion he would consider Tevez only as a centre-forward, nothing else. - Martino blasts Barcelona over media scrutiny "Now, in the competition against [Gonzalo] Higuain, or [Sergio] Aguero...and afterward, these are decisions the coach will make, it's this one or that one," explained Martino. "Based on the decisions, a whole lot of tales are woven that have nothing to do with the football side of it, and sometimes, it simply comes down to football. It will be said that I recalled this one or that one over the other. Like now, where there has been talk that we had a special meeting to discuss Tevez's return. Absolutely false. "There are questions that the group can ask the coach, but there are also subjects that are logical and those that are not logical. And just because a group of 4, 5 or 6 agree on something and present their idea, doesn't mean the idea is a valid one. Sometimes you have to think about it and say, 'guys, right or not, you are making a mistake.' Because if we end up with that tale the players end up being the ones saying who gets called up and who doesn't." Tevez led Juventus last season to the Italian league title as the team and Serie A top scorer with 19 goals. Former Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella never called up the hard-working striker in the three years he was in charge. Tevez ended his European goal drought on Tuesday in Juve's 2-0 win over Malmo. The former Manchester United and City forward had not scored in the Champions League since 2009. Martino also defended Sabella's decision to leave the 30-year-old out of the squad in Brazil. "I don't know whether Diego [Maradona] once took four or five No. 9's to a World Cup but I would not take four No. 9's to a World Cup, not even by accident, so Sabella's decision doesn't seem so illogical to me and that's why I am saying that some decisions are just about football," Martino said. "I held a conference before we went to Germany and said what I said [that the doors are open] and the truth is that no football player came up to me and said, 'look.'" Argentina, runners-up at the the 2014 World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Germany in the final, have two upcoming friendlies against Brazil on Oct. 11 and 14 in China and Hong Kong, respectively. Regarding Lionel Messi, Martino said he knows how the player "is critical of himself and how he feels when he does not accomplish his objectives. What I want is that the player who comes to the national team to enjoy himself. If he doesn't, then why bother to come?"
|
