“Plenty to improve”: Placente after Argentina debut defeat to Paraguay | OneFootball

On the opening matchday of the group stage at the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games, Argentina’s Under-19 team fell 2-1 to Paraguay at Newell’s Marcelo Bielsa Stadium in Rosario. Franco Domínguez opened the scoring for La Albiceleste, but Junior Gamarra and Pedro Sarza turned it around for La Albirroja. Coach Diego Placente spoke to the press after the defeat and addressed the upcoming matches.

“There are a lot of things to improve, and we have to try between today and tomorrow to correct some things. They should enjoy it; it’s experience for them. Naturally, when you play, you compete. I think it’s all part of the learning process, and each match will be better,” he said. “There are boys who had never been here before, others who are younger, from different age groups. The physical side is tough too; debuts are always difficult, there are a lot of factors. I think things will improve as the matches go on,” he added later.

“The truth is, the group is tough, it gives you no breathing room. We’re playing very frequently. We’ll have to see, among those who started today, who is in good shape to play,” he said afterward. The next Group B match will be on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against Uruguay, and they will wrap up on Monday, also at 3:00 p.m., against Venezuela.

Lastly, he gave his opinion on Lionel Messi being called up to the Argentina national team so he can say goodbye on the pitch. “I think it’s wonderful. It was a joy when that news came out. Hopefully he can say goodbye the way he wants, alongside the people he wants and with all the Argentine people,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.