DEFENDER-Roberto Ayala,r,blamed manager Jorge Sampaoli for Argentina's loss.

One of the best defenders in the history of the game, former Valencia star Roberto Ayala, has blamed the tactics of manager Jorge Sampaoli for Argentina's embarrassing 4-2 loss to Nigeria in an international friendly on Tuesday, November 14.

The Argentina legend believes that The White and Sky Blue were not on top of their game because they don't have players that can understand and implement the formation.
''All the lines have a job, but we have to have the players. Argentina has them in part, for me there is a lack of work, they are willing to work more with this system, the task of 5 is fundamental, but it can be worked on.''

Before hanging up his boots, Ayala racked up 115 appearances for the Albiceleste, scoring seven goals. 
He started Argentina's goalless draw with Nigeria in the 1995 Confederations Cup and was a non-playing substitute when both teams faced off in the World Cup seven years later. Ayala represented Argentina at the 1996 Olympics Games and went the distance in their 3-2 loss to Nigeria in the showpiece game.