Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni last night declared he was unhappy about World Cup scheduling which means his side must play their last-16 game against Australia less than 72 hours after qualifying from their group.
Scaloni’s side have a day’s less preparation time than Poland, who face France on Sunday, despite topping their group with one of the best team performances of the World Cup.
Speaking in the early hours, local time, Scaloni said: ‘I think it’s crazy we are playing in just over two days, as winners of this group. Its 1am and tomorrow we have to prepare. Conditions are not great but we all have to play it.’
Argentina are buoyed by seeing a vintage Messi performance, though he missed a dubious first half penalty and didn’t score. Messi said: ‘I was angry for having missed the penalty but the team came out stronger after my mistake.’
Australia beat Argentina 2-0 in last summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Argentina’s opening goalscorer Alexis Mac Allister said that defeat should be a warning to the team.
The Brighton midfielder said: ‘We know how difficult they are, of course. But they’re not the same team and we are not the same team. It will be a tough side.’
Scaloni said he had been forced to switch ask Angel di Maria to switch wings because he was ‘on the brink of a burnout’. The forward left the field with a quadricep problem.
He said he had not been tempted to substitute Messi. ‘I wouldn’t substitute him unless he tells me to do so,’ the coach revealed.
Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz hit back at an Argentinian journalist who claimed that Messi had outperformed Robert Lewandowski.
He said: ‘We didn’t assist Robert and help him to score. Our national team would have higher levels of possession if Messi played for our team. Robert would score five goals if Messi was on our time. He needs help. Messi didn’t score did he?’
Smith22
116
we are ready doesn't matter if we are to play everyday this world cup is for Captain GOAT MESSI .
Mangisha
85
I agree with the Polish coach. Lewy lacks support in that Poland team. With a player like Messi in the team, Lewy would be burying chances. And just what is wrong with Lautaro Martinez? He was the 2nd best player after Messi in the Copa Win in Brazil but now it's like he isn't in the team. Look how he missed that (almost) one vs one chance.
nooablmno
64
may good luck follow ARGENTINA in this world cup! let them not know how they won it!! but God Almighty, MESSI deserves this world cup!!! thank you for answering my prayers in Jesus name amen!!!!!!!
eggosa91
57
Julián Álvarez starts alongside Lionel Messi with Argentina's World Cup dreams on the line 🇦🇷 It wasn't too long ago that he was just a kid trying to get a picture with his hero 🥺❤️
tezcdknpz
18
Coach Scoloni🗣: ‘I wouldn’t substitute him unless he tells me to do so,’ the coach revealed.