It was a busy day around the Mexico against Argentina game in Dallas, Texas. It is the first time these two teams will meet after the 2010 World Cup and both coaches agree there is respect to one another despite the big differences there are among the best team in the world and the best in Concacaf.
Mexico's Point of View
It all started with Ricardo Ferreti holding a press conference in downtown Dallas, where Mexico is staying. The interim manager was smiling throughout most of it and seemed very relaxed despite some hard questions. For him, the pressure around the game against Argentina, does not come from within the team but from outsiders.
"The difference of this game comes from you (the media), the magnitude you give to this game. A player and a coach must prepare and face any rival with proffesionalism, no more, no less," Ferretti said.
The manager of Tigres had his first game with Mexico and it ended with a 3-3 draw. He was mostly pleased with it but not fully satisfied. During the 30-minute conversation with the press, he talked about looking for a win against Argentina that could motivate the group moving forward for their next two games, incluiding the one against the United States where a ticket to the Confederations Cup is at stake.
"We know how important Argentina is, what it represents and if we are able to do things right on our end I think we will all come out satisfied," the manager added.
He also claimed that he would have liked more time to prepare the game against the best team in the world according to FIFA. Given the title of Mexico´s manager in such short notice and having only three days between his last game and this one, will make it complicated to show or try new things against La Albiceleste.
WATCH: Full Report of what happened throughout the day in Dallas
Argentina's Point of View
Moments later, Gerardo Martino had his chance to talk at AT&T Stadium. The Argentinian coach made it clear that Lionel Messi would not play the whole game. The Argentinian star is coming off three finals and the start of a very long season with Barcelona.
Students could not believe what they saw at their own campus
Great to see Messi at Westcott Field this evening. @SMU pic.twitter.com/fJ9VAHK1dY
— David Son (@SonChemistry) September 8, 2015
Students and Dallasites watch the #Argentina soccer team practice on @SMU field. @SMUCW_Sports pic.twitter.com/jdIzCwliU6
— The Daily Campus (@thedailycampus) September 8, 2015
At the same time, Martino wants to give young guys a chance to have their debut with Argentina or pick up more minutes after they destroyed Bolivia in Houston. He wants to start setting up his team for the team for the game against Ecuador with which they start the World Cup Qualifiers.
"We are consouis about the big challenges that the World Cup Qualifiers entail as the matches of Copa America were very close to call. I think it translates to a qualifier where everything can happen as the momentum in a team can shift," Martino said.
Neutral Ground
Argentina ended the day with a practice at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Hundreds of fans were waiting to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars as they came down from the bus and into the pitch. While Messi was the favorite for many, Carlos Tevez seemed to receive just as much love from the Argentinian community in Dallas.
"I came to see Tevez, the parents make you watch and I grew up with my dad showing a lot of admiration for Tevez and Boca and I do remember watching the moment he came back to Boca," said Micaela, a young Argentian fan that was waiting to see the Albicelesta stars with her dad, sister and her mom.
Both teams did not get a chance to train on the actual pitch due to poor field conditions with the grass that had been recently installed. The stadium had just hosted a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. It is expected that close to 90,000 fans attend this game despite the high ticket prices.
It doesn't seem that the grass conditions will improve by the time of the game
What else is new? Cowboys Stadium temporary grass is a mess for Argentina-Mexico tomorrow. https://t.co/CDwnyGCIwC
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) September 7, 2015
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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