Argentina’s debut in the Copa América Femenina is coming

Agustina Barroso, Romina Núñez, Mariana Larroquette and Solana Pereyra expressed their feelings and wishes a few days before the ‘Albiceleste’ debut against Brazil for the 2022 Copa América.

Agustina Barroso at a press conference after the training session on July 1 at the AFA venue in Ezeiza:

– “Brazilian soccer has helped me a lot to grow physically and technically. Playing with them makes me have a different speed when making decisions and physically I have to be on par with them. I am a totally different Agustina than the one in the last Copa América. I watch some of my games and say ‘why did I make that decision? I could have had another.’ But that is part of the growth and evolution of all. In relation to the cup, my wish is the same that they all have. The desire grows even more knowing that we are growing”.

– “I think that what I can convey to the youngest in the National Team is that they enjoy being here. Although there may be triumphs and defeats, which are also part of the journey, that they want to be and identify with the National Team is very important. In football, each one will know where they want to go, but if they want to be here, let them feel that it is their home”.

– “Playing against Brazil is a challenge. I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but it’s very big. I know them and living Brazilian soccer, I can contribute, but we must not forget our game and what Argentina has been building. All the teams have grown a lot since the last Copa América and today they are all difficult rivals”.

– “You see another style of play, a little more organized, new and old faces, a mix. This is a process and it takes time, but I like that Portanova takes risks and invites us to make mistakes as well, it is part of that process”.

Romina Núñez in dialogue with the official site of the AFA:

– “I think I feel good physically. I’m very happy about that and I’ll try to help the team in any way I can. A goal is the dream of every soccer player, even more so with the National Team shirt. It would be amazing for me.”

– “As a group, I think we all want the same thing: if you can qualify directly for the World Cup, even better. And if not we will try to do the best we can. My feelings are very good, so hopefully we’ll have a good Copa América and take Argentina to where it deserves to be, which is at the top”.

– “I did not have to be in the last Copa América. I think I always dreamed of being here in the National Team, I worked a lot for that. The truth is that being here today and sharing with great players is a privilege. Today I am very excited. Playing in a Copa America for a soccer player must be something incredible, it’s the first time it’s happened to me. I’m very calm too and I’ll try to do my best”.

– “I think that when I have something like this, whether it be games or training sessions, I remember very much the effort I made when I was very young, the effort of my family. I always have them in my head. That means that if things go wrong for me, I already think about them and try to do the best I can. They are my engine, always. Today I am where I am thanks to them”.

Mariana Larroquette at a press conference after training on July 1 at the AFA venue in Ezeiza:

– “The analysis is very positive, the good thing is that we are all together. For a month we have been fine-tuning things every day. There are always things to improve. All the training sessions bring out the positive, the negative both in the group and on the pitch”.

– “I think that we still have a few issues on the field, but we have a positive mindset for the Copa América, thinking about our first rival. For me, I think it’s important to think about the first date and then what’s to come.”

– “I arrive with much more experience from football and from my head, I think that also contributes a lot. There are many in the group who have that experience of having played Copa América, World Cups, other tournaments and the important thing is that those who came now, joined now and have the opportunity to be here and have not experienced that. We try to transfer that experience. The most important thing is that they feel comfortable.”

Solana Pereyra in dialogue with the official site of the AFA:

– “I think we are doing very well. We are making full use of the time we have. There are many players who have already finished their tournament with their teams and this month of preparation was very good for us to continue getting to know each other, to continue consolidating things and I think we are very well emotionally”.

– “In the group, I think we all said it, the goal is to qualify for the World Cup. For me, being here is already a dream. Being in the list of 23 is what many players want and it is the most for a player: to represent their country”.

– “From 2018 until now, I think I got a little more personality on the court. I assumed the commitment: when it comes to training, work is another. I am aware of everything I do and before that I did not take it so seriously. I think that, unlike the World Cup or previous FIFA dates in which I have had to be, today I am a little more mature in my head. Physically, a change is also noticeable, but mainly more mature mentally.”

By Thomas Rouge

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