Lionel Scaloni, the coach of the Argentine national team, held nothing back in the press conference ahead of the knockout match against Cabo Verde. With the knife between his teeth, the coach made it clear that the game is all or nothing: ‘The loser goes home.’
‘We’re fine, obviously excited, like everyone else, but there’s an opponent to face, we have to respect them. Cabo Verde has done things very well,’ Scaloni said, trying to lower the anxiety of a country already dreaming of the title.
The tactical analysis of the opponent was thorough. ‘They are a team that hasn’t lost. Even in some matches they deserved to win. Against Spain and Uruguay they might have struggled a bit more, but they defended well,’ the coach detailed, hinting that it won’t be a walk in the park for the Albiceleste.
Asked about the infernal heat expected in Miami, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, Scaloni didn’t hold back: ‘It’s contradictory to play at noon under a roof and then at 6 p.m. with heat and humidity. The spectacle won’t be the same, but the schedules are what they are.’
Regarding Lionel Messi, the coach avoided confirming whether the captain will play the full 90 minutes or could be substituted in the second half. ‘If we wonder whether the game will be longer, we’ll see. With us he has played in any way, so I imagine he’ll be there, but it depends on how the game goes and how he feels,’ he stated.
The press conference also left a message for the fans: ‘For us it’s a boost, never a pressure. We hope for tomorrow.’ Scaloni insisted that the team creates constant chances and that collective performance is the priority, not individual goals.
The match, to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, promises to be a hell both due to the heat and the tension. Argentina, coming off an impeccable group stage, faces a Cabo Verde that dreams of pulling off an upset. ‘The margin is shrinking,’ Scaloni concluded, making it clear there is no room for error.
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Para mí Scaloni se volvió un blando con eso del calor infernal. En Argentina jugamos a las 3 de la tarde en enero y no lloramos. Cabo Verde es un equipo de cuarta, si pierden que se vuelvan caminando. El único calor que importa es el de la pasión argentina. Vamos a ganar como siempre, porque somos los mejores.
Para mí esto huele a excusa berreta de siempre. Scaloni llorando por el calor es puro verso de pecho frío. Yo creo que Cabo Verde les va a pasar el trapo igual, y si pierden, ojalá se vuelvan caminando. Aguante el sur global, carajo. Argentina es puro cuento.