EFE Agency
*** Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni did not clear up the doubt yesterday, but expressed that the presence of the star is not ruled out***
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni said yesterday that he will wait until the team’s last training session to decide whether Leo Messi will play in the Copa America quarter-final match against Ecuador, today at NRG Stadium in Houston.
“We’re going to wait a while. We train for three hours and having one more day is better. He trained with everyone yesterday with good feelings and, depending on the training, we will decide,” said Scaloni at the official press conference.
The coach also indicated that he has not yet spoken to the player about his feelings. “I will do so before training and then we will decide,” he said.
Messi was injured a week ago in the adductor muscle during the match against Chile, he did not play in the match against Peru and did not fully return to the group stage until Tuesday.
HISTORY FAVORS ARGENTINA
Ecuador has never been able to defeat Argentina in the 16 occasions they have faced each other in the continental tournament, with a balance of 11 wins and five draws in favor of the current world champions.
After qualifying with difficulty, recovering from a 2-1 defeat against Venezuela in which their top scorer Enner Valencia was sent off, the Ecuadorian Tri does not want to be limited by the Messi doubt.
Less than a month ago, Argentina and Ecuador played a friendly in Chicago. The Albiceleste won 1-0 with a goal from Ángel Di María, and Messi came on in the second half.
Something similar is expected at NRG Stadium, with Argentina dominating possession and initiative, while Ecuador opts for counterattacks.
USED TO RIVALS THAT CLOSE
“We have to analyze how they play against us,” said Lautaro Martinez, the Argentine forward who scored four of Argentina’s five goals in the first round. “All three of them played a five-man lineup… the games are going to be like this. We will have to bring something out of ourselves.”
Regardless of whether Messi is a starter or a substitute, Scaloni is considering fielding a double 9, with Lautaro and Julián Álvarez.
“It could be, of course,” he said. “They have already played together against this rival… We are not ruling anything out because they have worked well and it is an option. Lautaro is in a very good moment, he took advantage of his opportunity and it makes me very happy.”
“24 HOURS AWAY FROM A MATCH THAT COULD BE HISTORY” (PHOTO FRAME)
Ecuador coach Félix Sánchez said he is only thinking about the Copa América quarter-final match against Argentina, which “could be history for the country” and did not answer the question of whether he is considering continuing.
“With just over 24 hours to go before such an important match, I am only thinking about the match. It is a match that could be history for the country and my thoughts are only on playing a great match and giving people something to be happy about,” he replied when asked if he has considered resigning.
This speculation was fuelled on Tuesday by reports from Ecuador that the Spanish coach, who has been heavily criticised by some fans and the media, will not honour his contract with the Ecuadorian Football Federation until 2026.
SALOMON RONDON AND RAFAEL ROMO IN THE IDEAL 11
Venezuelans Salomón Rondón and Rafael Romo, along with Argentine Lautaro Martínez and Colombian James Rodríguez, among others, are part of the ideal 11 of the group stage of the Copa América, in which the Vinotinto was the revelation.
The Vinotinto is, along with Panama, the revelation of the first phase after achieving a full set of victories. Part of the blame lies with Rafael Romo. The goalkeeper of Universidad Católica de Ecuador has conceded only one goal in three games.
Pachuca’s Mexican forward Salomón Rondón is more relevant than ever. A legend for the Vinotinto at 34 years old, he scored a penalty against Mexico and repeated the feat against Jamaica.
With that last goal, Rondón equaled José Luis Dolgetta as Venezuela’s top scorer in the Copa América, with 6 goals. He is also the all-time top scorer for his national team, with 43.
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2024-07-04 17:39:09