Coach Scaloni vowing Argentina will adhere to principles for Mexico clash.Mexico claimed opening-day point against Poland.
Messi and Argentina need urgent response after Saudi Arabia loss.Lionel Scaloni is vowing Argentina will not compromise the flowing style that underpinned a 36-match unbeaten run following the sledgehammer blow of defeat by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
The two-times champions will aim to breathe life into their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign when they return to the Lusail Stadium scene of their Saudi shock to face Mexico on Saturday night. Anything other than victory would leave Argentina confronting the prospect of a first group-stage elimination since 2002 – and only a second exit in the initial phase in 14 competitions since 1962.
Coach Scaloni, who last year masterminded the national team’s first Copa America triumph in 28 years, is nevertheless undaunted by the gravity of the contest against Gerardo Martino’s Mexicans.
“We watched the [Saudi Arabia] game back but now we are thinking about Mexico, which will be entirely different,” said Scaloni. “But the way we will play will be similar, we won’t change our style due to what happened on Tuesday, that’s clear. Mexico are an excellent team, an offensive team with a great coach. But we have a style that is non-negotiable. We might have taken a blow in the opening match but we need to stick to our guns and approach it in the same way.
“When you have a blow, you have to bounce back and the squad is ready to do that. We know there is a full country behind us and the fans can take confidence that the team will break their backs until the very last seconds they are on the pitch so we can reverse this difficult situation.”
Lionel Messi becomes the first Argentine player to score in four editions of the FIFA World Cup at Qatar 2022.
Scaloni also provided an encouraging medical bulletin on Lionel Messi, who trained separately from his teammates prior to scoring from the spot against Saudi Arabia.
“He trained well and he’s feeling well,” said Scaloni. “More than ever, we need everyone, and I am sure everything will play out. We have no issues with his physical level.”
Bengali