Supervisor Lionel Scaloni has insisted Argentina are usually not overly reliant on Lionel Messi forward of their World Cup last-32 conflict with Cape Verde.
Argentina’s title protection acquired off to an ideal begin as they completed the group stage with an ideal report (W3), scoring 8 targets and conceding 1 aim.
Regardless of not beginning within the final win over Jordan, Messi scored six targets and leads the Golden Boot race alongside Kylian Mbappé, who has performed essentially the most video games.
The Argentina captain has been concerned in 9 targets (5 targets, 4 assists) in his final 5 appearances within the knockout phases of this competitors, having scored in every of the final 4.
If he does play, he’ll doubtless develop into the primary participant to play greater than 30 World Cup matches and this will likely be his thirteenth cap within the knockout phases.
“In fact, the whole lot he does stands out extra, however we’ve one other striker within the crew,” Scaloni mentioned of Messi.
“We create probabilities and Leo Messi just isn’t solely an ideal participant but additionally a striker. Whether or not he performs with Julián (Alvarez) or Lautaro (Martinez), we are going to all attempt to make them rating like another participant.”
Requested about how a lot time Messi would have left, Scaloni mentioned: “I do not suppose it makes a lot sense to reply this query now. We do not know the way the sport will go or how he’ll really feel.”
“He is enjoying very nicely. I hope the whole lot goes nicely, nevertheless it is determined by how the sport goes and the way he feels.”
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This would be the first match between Argentina and Cape Verde, they usually made historical past by ending second behind Spain in Group H, forward of Uruguay after three attracts.
They’re the primary nation to succeed in the finals of a World Cup match since Slovakia in 2010, and the primary African crew since Ghana in 2006.
Regardless of beginning the match 63rd within the FIFA rankings, Cape Verde proved extraordinarily troublesome to beat, holding off European champions Spain of their opening World Cup match.
And regardless of Cape Verde being the smallest nation to make it by way of the group stage, Scaloni just isn’t anticipating a straightforward sport.
“We’re in a very good interval, however the margin may be very small proper now. This can be a sport the place if we lose, we’re eradicated. We all know that,” Scaloni mentioned.
“They are a good crew. We have already been watching them, not simply because we play towards them, however as a result of we’re analyzing potential opponents, they usually’ve certified.”
“To be sincere, we’re not stunned. They’re a very good crew and it’s not a coincidence that they’re right here. We’ve to respect them and that’s what we are going to do.”
“In opposition to Saudi Arabia, they deserved to win. In opposition to Spain and Uruguay, they could have struggled somewhat extra, however they defended nicely.
“Additionally they shut down the within channels and are superb at counter-attacking. They’ve expert gamers.”
