This is one of the advantages of playing one match per week. Since the beginning of January, Mauricio Pochettino has taken the habit of granting two days off weekly to his players. And the Argentinian coach is no exception to the rule he has set himself. Kylian Mbappé’s partners, resting on Monday and Tuesday, will not resume training until Wednesday afternoon. The Argentine coach thus intends to respect a rhythm of five days of work and two days devoted to recovery. A way for him to best prepare for the clash against Real Madrid on February 15.
That said, it’s not lazy for everyone at the start of the week. In addition to the three players involved in CAN 2022 in Cameroon (Diallo, Gueye with Senegal, Hakimi with Morocco), three other players joined their selection on Monday. Even if Brazil is already qualified for the World Cup in Qatar, Marquinhos will play the last two qualifying matches for this competition with his selection. First in Ecuador this Thursday (at 10 p.m.) then against Paraguay on Wednesday February 2 (1:30 a.m.). Ditto for Paredes and Di Maria, engaged with Argentina, against Chile this Friday (at 1:15 a.m.) then against Colombia on Wednesday February 2 (at 0:30 a.m.).
Pochettino will therefore not be able to have his three South Americans – Leo Messi is exempt from his two matches – for the reception of Nice, next Monday, in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. For the “Canistes”, it will be necessary to follow if Senegal and Morocco pass the course of the round of 16, respectively against Cape Verde and Malawi. Which seems right on target for both of these nations. In such a case, the two selections would then be on deck next weekend.