Why Emi Martinez earned a standing ovation as Argentine media praise Chelsea’s Valentin Barco
Chelsea duo Emi Martinez and Valentin Barco were both in action during the early hours of Sunday morning as Argentina cruised past Burkina Faso – and Argentine media gave their verdicts.
The game was somewhat controversial, with numerous reports claiming that Burkina Faso’s first team had been delayed. The U23 side had been drafted in, arriving in Argentina just a few hours before playing.
But the game went ahead, and Lionel Scaloni was in an unforgiving mood. The former West Ham player named a strong side, which included Martinez in goal. Argentina strolled to an incredibly easy 7-0 win.
Emi Martinez gets ovation, and Valentin Barco notches an assist
Lautaro Martinez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julian Alvarez, Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone and an own goal saw Argentina earn a big 7-0 win – with England winning 7-0 just a few hours earlier.
Martinez lasted 80 minutes, surprisingly starting the game given it had little importance. TyC Sports gave him a rating of 6/10, describing it as “the most peaceful match of his career”. He had very little to do.
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Meanwhile, Barco came on in the 69th minute to win his seventh Argentina cap, and laid on the assist for the seventh goal. TyC said: “He put the ball on Simeone’s head for 7-0. He didn’t have any time to spare.”
Despite only playing 21 minutes, Barco earned a 7.6 FotMob rating; Argentina’s eighth-best of 22 players. He got the assist, completed 26 of 30 passes and won three of four duels in an action-packed cameo.
Xabi Alonso’s worry about Martinez and Barco
Alonso has already had to deal with more than his fair share of injuries as Chelsea boss this term. Marco Palestra, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Reece James and Joao Pedro were not involved during the break.
Even during the break, there have been issues. There were concerns over Romeo Lavia and Mike Penders before both were deemed fit. Jamie Gittens has been spotted on crutches after starting for England’s 21s.
The concern with Martinez and Barco, is that the duo’s final game of the break with Argentina will go into the early hours of Wednesday. Kick-off against Benin is at midnight on Tuesday night in Buenos Aires.
The chances are the duo will not fly back to London until 72 hours before Chelsea face Bournemouth on Saturday, and certainly won’t be in training until Thursday. Even if they are, it is likely to be a light session.
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