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Friendlies offer fringe players the opportunity to play their way onto national team squads. With less than a year until the World Cup to be played in Brazil, a strong showing can go a long way into forcing your way onto a squad. This is what Erik Lamela did with his performance for Argentina in their 2-1 win over Italy in a game played Wednesday in Rome.
Lamela is a left-sided attacking midfielder/forward to plays for Italian club AS Roma and has recently been subject to rumors of a possible transfer to Tottenham in the Premier League. At 21 years old, Lamela represents a future prospect who is ready to take the next step at the club level while hoping to get the opportunity with his national team to get games and show he can contribute to the team coached by Alejandro Sabella.
With a number of players who can play in the same position as Lamela for Argentina and with his age, that there was a slim chance he would be given the opportunity to play his way into Sabella’s squad for the World Cup next summer. Well thanks to Lionel Messi not being able to play due to injury, Lamela got a chance to start in his second career cap for the ‘Albiceleste’ and made the most of it. Had it not been for an equally jaw dropping and impressive performance turned in by Gonzalo Higuain, Lamela could have easily been named man of the match.
Lamela had a great game as he ended up providing the assisting on Argentina’s first goal of the game and in general, had great runs at the Italian defense while showing great give and go play with Higuain. Aside from his exploits in attack, Lamela did a fine job of serving as a connecting player with holding midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia. By the end of the game, it was clear that Lamela has forced his way into Sabella’s squad as a regular call up and playing option from here on out.
With a fully healthy Messi and a fully healthy Sergio Agüero, it is very unlikely that Lamela would get a chance to start. But with Gonzalo Higuain suspended for the next two World Cup Qualifiers, Lamela’s performance against Italy went a long way into potentially seeing him being penciled in as a starter for those next two games. Even if Lamela doesn’t get to start those games, it is clear he will be on the squad list for those games and expect to see him at the World Cup as well.
Lucas Carreras is a contributing Soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow Lucas on Twitter by following him @maldini3fan and add him to your network on Google+.
