The Argentina national team is already in the Round of 16 of the World Cup, but the path was not a bed of roses. After the hard-fought victory against Austria, Lionel Scaloni sat down in front of the microphones and dropped the bombshell: Lionel Messi’s missed penalty could have changed everything. «It was still a blow,» the coach confessed, though he made it clear that the team managed to bounce back.
Scaloni acknowledged that the penalty play was «very good» and that converting that goal would have changed the dynamics of the match. «Finishing it would have been wonderful. We had the feeling that if we scored that goal, it would have been different,» he stated. However, the coach highlighted the mental strength of the group to overcome that adversity.
During the hydration break, Scaloni took the opportunity to convey a message of calm and patience to his players. «I told them there were things to improve, that by being patient and moving the ball from one side to the other we would find the passes. At one point in the first half, they didn’t want to come out. There was no need to rush. If the play had to last two minutes, let it last two minutes,» the coach explained.
Messi’s commitment during the match was also a point highlighted by Scaloni. Beyond the missed penalty, the captain was active and committed on the field, even recovering key balls to create goal-scoring opportunities. «I think even today, when the team was suffering from not having the ball, he worked, he stole a ball for one of the goal plays. You could see he was committed. That says something. It’s impressive what he generates. I don’t know what else to say about him. It’s even tiring,» the coach said with a smile.
Regarding the development of the match in Dallas, Scaloni described the encounter as a challenge that required strength and resilience. «We suffered, but we know how to suffer. That is a merit of the team, which knew what to do. They are a complicated opponent, very tall and physical. Happy to have advanced. It seemed like it was going to be easy, but it wasn’t,» he stated.
Finally, the coach referred to the early exit of Cuti Romero, who had to leave the field at the 55th minute due to discomfort in his right leg. «We don’t know the extent of his issue. It was something he had been dealing with. Hopefully it’s nothing, not only because he’s important. It’s always better to have everyone available,» Scaloni concluded, leaving the question open about the defender’s recovery.
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Para mí, Scaloni es un genio y el que no lo ve es un boludo. Austria es un equipo de cuarta, pero siempre lloran con el penal de Messi. Me parece que estos zurdos resentidos quieren que el equipo se derrumbe, pero no pasa. A Cuti lo cuidan porque es un monstruo, no como los blanditos de Europa. Vamos Argentina carajo!
para mi scaloni es el unico q entiende q messi es DIOS y un penal errao no lo para los bosteros festejando como mogolicos y nosotros ganando todo viva argentina carajo siempre los vamos a romper a todos