Argentina coach: Como star Nico Paz and Real Madrid talent Mastantuono ‘can coexist’ | OneFootball

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni says Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono will get more playing time in the coming games and is confident the Como star and the Real Madrid talent can ‘coexist in the future.’

Nico Paz and Mastantuono are two of the brightest talents in Argentine football, and the former’s quality is very well known to Serie A fans who can enjoy his football every week at Como.

Paz played 123 minutes across Argentina’s latest friendlies in October. The Como ace had started in the first game against Venezuela last week and made a substitute appearance against Puerto Rico last night.

Mastantuono, on the other hand, was ruled out of the Puerto Rico game due to a minor muscle problem.

Scaloni’s comments on Nico Paz and Mastantuono

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 22: Lionel Scaloni Head Coach of Argentina at the start of the International Friendly match against El Salvador at Lincoln Financial Field on March 22, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Getty Images)

“They [Nico Paz and Mastantuono] are two important players for us. Both left-footed. They play in a similar position, but they have different skill sets,” Scaloni said at a press conference via TMW.

They are young who, perhaps, don’t have a starting spot today, but the idea is surely to give them some minutes. Surely they can coexist in the future.

Real Madrid can re-sign Nico Paz from Como

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 24: Marten De Roonof Atalanta BC competes for the ball with Nico Paz of Como 1907 during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Como 1907 at Gewiss Stadium on September 24, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Nico Paz, 21, has already collected three goals and three assists in six appearances across all competitions with Como this term.

He joined the Azzurri on a permanent transfer from Real Madrid in 2024, but the La Liga giants have an option to re-sign him until 2027.