On October 1st at 8:00 AM Beijing time (2:00 AM CEST), Argentina will face Bolivia in a friendly match. On the eve of the match, Argentine head coach Lionel Scaloni held a press conference. Here is the first part of the press conference.

Hello, Lionel. Since I'm asking the first question, I'm sure you know where I'm going with this. It's about your contract extension. Although you said a few days ago that you'd announce it naturally when there's news, the Federation released a photo showing that you've at least begun face-to-face discussions. I'd like to know if there's been progress on this front? If not, what's still missing? Also, regarding tomorrow's match, can you confirm the starting lineup in advance this time?

We haven't discussed much before, but we did have a short conversation this time to see if we can move forward and reach an agreement. Both sides have good intentions, and we've just started talking, to be honest. We'll try to communicate again in the coming days. Right now, we have a match to play, and ultimately, it's about reaching an agreement. The fact that both sides have good intentions is most important. I'll say it again: when there's something to announce, we'll communicate it. What matters is that everyone wants to continue working together.

As for the starting lineup, I generally have an idea and it's already decided. The problem is that if the press conference had been held after training, I would have told you directly. But seriously, it is decided this time, though we're heading to training shortly, and the players don't know yet. They'll find out after training.

Hello, can you give us any hints? During the open training session, we saw Nico Paz and Mastantuono. Is there a possibility they'll play together? Have you decided who will wear Argentina's number 10 shirt? Is it absolutely necessary to have a number 10 in these two matches without Messi?

Regarding the possibility of them playing together... in principle, only one of them will start. I suppose I've given you a good hint, haven't I? But they can indeed play together; in fact, we've tried it in training. We're not short on ideas, and we'll certainly try it at some point.

Your other question was about who wears the number 10? No, as far as we know, we have no obligation to give the number 10 to anyone in these matches. So we won't give the number 10 shirt to anyone until the match where Leo returns to the field. After that, we'll see from which match we'll assign it to someone. Fortunately, squad numbers in World Cup qualifiers aren't fixed, but our idea is that someone will eventually take it on—wearing the number 10 is an incredibly special thing. We haven't made a decision yet.

Hello, Lionel. Sorry, I'd like to return to the subject of your contract extension. On your personal decision-making scale, what are the main considerations when weighing the pros and cons?

I said after the World Cup final that I needed to think carefully. It's clear that after such a moment, emotions are often very complex, so I needed to calm down, observe, and analyze the sporting aspect. The competitive aspect is crucial, because ultimately, competition is fundamental. Of course, the financial aspect can't be ignored, but the competitive aspect is at the heart of the analysis: what we have left and what we'll face in the future.

To be honest, we're full of anticipation and aspirations in this regard. That's what matters most, and it's what motivates me to sit down and try to reach an agreement. Conversely, frankly, if I didn't see the possibility of continuing to compete, or if I couldn't assemble a team as good as before, I wouldn't even take the opportunity to sit down and negotiate—that's the truth.

Hello, Lionel. Inevitably, people are starting to think about the Argentine national team without Messi. He's announced his departure, and you'll be without him for these two upcoming matches and potentially without him for this cycle going forward. Do you think the national team needs to be restructured in some way because of his absence? Or do you believe the foundations and preparatory work you've already put in place are sufficient for you to maintain the same level of performance without the number 10?

Without a doubt, when he's not on the field... any team in the world that has a player of his caliber finds him indispensable, and we do too. But fortunately, in matches where he's been absent, the team has responded positively. Fortunately, we have a group of young players who can step up and contribute, and we'll also look for other ways to play—why not?

These matches are meant for testing and experimenting. We can try different tactics: two strikers, three strikers, three central defenders—all sorts of experiments can build experience for the future. That's what we're going to do, without ever forgetting that our football is based on possession and assembling good players. I believe that won't change, at least while we're coaches here—it's our identity. On that basis, I'll then see how to make specific adjustments.

Hello, Lionel. I wanted to ask you about the contract extension. If the renewal is eventually concluded, will Walter Samuel continue to be part of your technical staff? There's been a lot of discussion about this. Have you spoken with him? Has he made a decision?

"Big Head" showed us last year what he means to this national team. At that time, he received an offer from Inter Milan to work with Chivu, but he showed great generosity by choosing to stay with us until the end of the World Cup, which says a lot about his character. Without a doubt, beyond his extremely important work, he's also a good friend of mine, and I only wish him the best. If, like any member of the technical staff, he wants to make a certain choice at some point, that's his right.

Currently, I don't have the latest news. The door is certainly still open to him. When he told me last year that he'd stay until the World Cup, it was clear that after the World Cup he could make other decisions, so there's absolutely no problem with that. Of course, if he leaves, it will be a significant loss for us, and we'll see what happens then. But above all, he's my friend, and I always wish him the best.

Traduit par IA.

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