Jorge Sampaoli has suggested that Inter striker Mauro Icardi was not compatible enough with Argentina’s World Cup squad.
Sampaoli overlooked Icardi for the Russian showpiece, despite the Inter captain ending the season as Serie A’s top goalscorer, and Sampaoli explained the 23 men he called up ‘identify with our style of play as closely as possible’.
“We came to this list after long and meticulous analysis,” said the CT.
Jorge Sampaoli has suggested that Inter striker Mauro Icardi was not compatible enough with Argentina’s World Cup squad.
Sampaoli overlooked Icardi for the Russian showpiece, despite the Inter captain ending the season as Serie A’s top goalscorer, and Sampaoli explained the 23 men he called up ‘identify with our style of play as closely as possible’.
“We came to this list after long and meticulous analysis,” said the CT.
“The players I called up identify with our style of play as closely as possible. For example: I chose Ansaldi because he’s a full-back who can play on both sides.
“Icardi, Perotti, Papu Gomez and Lautaro Martinez won’t come to Russia with us, but they’re still good players, who could be in our attack.
“There’s also [Dario] Benedetto, for example, who helped us a lot in qualifying but is now injured.”