NEW YORK (Special Envoy).- The atmosphere at the Javits Center was electric, but Lionel Scaloni arrived with his finger on the trigger. The Argentina national team coach held nothing back and dropped a bombshell on the eve of the World Cup final: he denounced that FIFA forced them to train at a time he called ‘strange and rushed,’ and admitted that several players are ‘not at 100%’ physically.
‘They forced us to train at a time we didn’t want, very strange and rushed, so we are focused on rest. We’ll see how they arrive. There are players who are not at 100%. We’ll see what team we put out on Sunday,’ Scaloni fired, visibly upset, before a crowd of journalists from around the world. The press conference had to close its doors minutes early due to the massive turnout.
The coach said he will define the starting lineup on Saturday for Sunday’s match against Spain, and hinted that there could be changes from the semifinal against England. ‘Saturday’s training will be important,’ he anticipated, amid rumors that Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolás González have gained ground after their good performances off the bench.
But Scaloni’s complaints did not end there. He also criticized the schedule imposed by FIFA, which forced the team to fulfill media commitments instead of focusing on preparation. ‘We are focused on rest,’ he reiterated, in a clear message to the organizers.
In the same room, minutes earlier, Lionel Messi participated in an event alongside ‘Dibu’ Martínez and Scaloni himself, interviewed by figures such as Novak Djokovic, Tom Brady, and Kevin Durant. The surroundings of the Javits Center were overflowing with thousands of fans trying to get close to the team on the eve of the final.
On the opponent, Scaloni analyzed: ‘They base everything on the ball, in that we are quite similar. Spain grew as the tournament went on, and surely their last match was their best. Their playing patterns are through the ball. With some nuances, but we think more or less alike.’ A clash of styles that promises to be thrilling.
The coach also got emotional when talking about the support of the people: ‘We play for our people, for our country, for our family, for those people who are waiting to see the national team. We recovered something very valuable, which is that people sit in front of the TV and that a Boca and River fan, a Newell’s and Central fan, hug each other. We see it, we feel it, we take it into account. How could that not move you? Unity is fundamental and that harmony is there.’ A speech that ignites the hearts of Argentines.
Asked whether the experience of having played a final four years ago is an advantage, Scaloni replied: ‘They also have players who have played in big stages, who are stars on their teams. As for the pressure, when the ball starts rolling, I think the player forgets, at least mine do. I think they are two teams that, when they go out on the pitch, try to do their best. But I don’t think it’s crucial that we have already played a final.’
The national team will face Spain on Sunday at 4 p.m. (Argentine time) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic. It will be the fifteenth meeting between the two, with six wins each and two draws. The only World Cup precedent was in England 1966, an Argentine 2-1 victory. Now, with a heated Scaloni and players at their limit, the final promises to be a true inferno.
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Para mí esto huele a opereta de la FIFA y los españoles, tienen cagazo de perder la final. Le ponen horarios de mierda a Scaloni para joder. Y los jugadores diciendo que no están al 100%? Son argentinos carajo, se rompen el orto y juegan igual. Si no les gusta, que se vuelvan a Europa, acá no los necesitamos.
Para mí esto huele a choreo de la FIFA, siempre cagando a los del sur con horarios de mierda para que ganen los europeos. Los pibes explotados, descanso robado, es una dictadura del fútbol. Vamos Argentina, la gloria es del pueblo, no de esos giles. Scaloni tiene razón, basta de favoritismo.