Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni said, in a press conference this Wednesday, on the eve of the United States’ opening game of the Copa América against Canada, in Atlanta, that the moment is to take advantage of the fact that veteran stars Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María continues to wear the ‘albiceleste’ shirt.
“The balance [desde 2021], in addition to the titles, is what we really enjoyed. It’s a pleasure to watch them train and play, how they give themselves. I’m not worried about the future of Messi and Di María, and it doesn’t make much sense to think now about when they are no longer playing. Let’s enjoy them now,” Scaloni said at a press conference at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Messi, 36 years old, will play in his seventh Copa América, perhaps the last of his extraordinary career, while ‘El Fideo’ Di María, the same age, will play in his sixth continental tournament, which will be his farewell to the Argentine national team, after defending her for almost 16 years.
The ‘Albiceleste’ coach warned that the United States edition “will be difficult” for his team, which is defending the title won in Brazil in 2021, and highlighted the quality of Canada, an opponent that “will bring us maximum difficulty”.
“[O Canadá] He is a difficult opponent, so anyone who thinks that everything has been decided is mistaken. It’s a complicated opponent and we’re prepared to play our game knowing how difficult it is and that it’s the first game and how important it always is.”
Scaloni avoided revealing the starting lineup that will take the field against the Canadians, their first opponent in Group A, which is completed by Chile and Peru, but assured that the team has been confirmed. “With me, whoever is better always plays”, he guaranteed.
“[Leandro] Paredes had to leave in the first game of the World Cup [contra a Arábia Saudita] because we thought there were others who were better. And, for some reason, now I have him by my side”, he replied, while looking at the Roma midfielder, one of those guaranteed a place against the Canucks.
‘A beautiful challenge’, says Paredes
“The conclusions of the last two games [amistosos contra Equador e Guatemala] are that whoever played is fine. Some doubts we had regarding some have already been resolved. Let whoever plays show that they don’t want to lose their position. We’ve made some adjustments and we want to improve,” he insisted.
“I usually say that the opponent to beat, always respecting everyone, is Argentina, it’s about knowing how we approach the game and, from then on, we always have to take care of the opponent. So, this game against Canada is a good test” , warned the 46-year-old coach.
Paredes, in turn, said he was “ready” for “a new challenge with the national team” and highlighted the importance of debuting in the competition by winning.
“We saw a little of Canada in videos. We know how difficult this type of match is, so we will face them with 100%”, added the midfielder.
“Facing a Copa América as champions is a beautiful challenge. We know how important it is. We hope we can start on the right foot and, if we manage to win the title, it will be very important”, he concluded.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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