Argentinian manager Lionel Scaolni has revealed what he told Cristian Romero at half-time following the Tottenham Hotspur defender’s poor mistake against Brazil.
Argentina still romped to victory in Buenos Aires as they thrashed Brazil 4-1 and secured qualification to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Cristian Romero gifted Matheus Cunha with a goal, however, it proved to only be a consolation much to the relief of the Tottenham Hotspur vice captain.
Scanoli has now explained what he told the 26-year-old after his error in the match and what he made of how the defender responded.
Cristian Romero’s shocking error vs Brazil
Argentina looked to be cruising their way to a comfortable win over Brazil only for Cristian Romero to be caught in possession and punished by Cunha.
The 26-year-old was far too casual with the ball as he looked to play out from the back and had his pocket picked by the Wolves forward.
Romero made a similar error against Bournemouth as he was caught in possession by Evanilson which left Spurs fans questioning his fitness. Romero has just returned from three months out with a hamstring injury.
Lionel Scaloni’s half-time message to Cristian Romero
Lionel Scaloni reveals that he was very positive at half-time to Romero, who is linked with Atletico Madrid, although th e defender did not need it and produced a superb response.
The Argentinian media have also praised Romero’s response to the error and gave his performance against Brazil strong ratings.
After the match, Scaloni told the media: “When you play this way, knowing they were coming to pressure us and if we waited we could find players further forward, it can happen. Footballers aren’t immune to these things. You have to pick yourself up and keep going.”
“At half-time, I said some positive things to him, but it wasn’t necessary. Afterward, he continued playing the same way. I told him to continue like this and that it wasn’t a problem, that it could happen, that it’s football. The team asks him to do that.”
