Those numbers coincide with the Argentine's consistency for Everton over the past year, as detailed by Who Scored. Funes Mori and Otamendi's precise movement from the back allowed Argentina to control the pace of the game, and before the entrance of Lionel Messi, the nation were far from their best. On Friday evening, that accuracy rate rocketed to an impressive 93.4% (Goal), behind only Gabriel Mercado and the infallible Banega in the Argentina ranks. The Everton man completed 74 percent of his passes against the Roja, according to Opta's statistical analysis ( h/t Goal Argentina), out of a total of 31 attempted, while he showed less inclination to try long passes than his defensive companions. Happily for the Albiceleste, Sergio Romero was there to save the team when Alexis Sanchez was left gloriously open to net the first, while at the other end Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega would both convert their chances.Īgainst Panama, however, both Funes Mori and Otamendi looked far more comfortable. Each team looked to pressure high up the field, and the result was a breakdown in communications with the midfield. In the opening clash, both Argentina and Chile's defence endured a torrid time in taking the ball out from the back. With the likes Ezequiel Garay and Mateo Musacchio left out, he and Otamendi were left as the only front-line defenders charged with keeping out the cream of South America's striking elite. The Copa America, then, represents a big test for the talented but erratic player. Funes Mori's introductory year in the Premier League did not shed those concerns: Some excellent performances for Everton were peppered with moments of catastrophic inattention, as well as his fair share of cards. His talent is doubtless, but he has yet to shed the reputation of being a loose cannon, liable to explode and leave his team exposed. Questions over the 25-year-old, however, still remain. The Copa Libertadores and a lucrative move to Merseyside followed, and in the last six months, he has emerged as Argentina coach Gerardo Martino's first choice, as Nicolas Otamendi is the more mobile colleague in the middle. The young prospect bounced back and grabbed onto his favoured position at centre-back, and he wrote his name into River folklore with a last-minute headed winner to upset Boca Juniors in the Bombonera. But if there is one thing Funes Mori does not lack, it is character.
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