Tonight, the press and the fans in Argentina will be either thrilled or angered as playmaker Lionel Messi and coach Batista have a do-or-die mission against Costa Rica to reach the Copa America’s quarter-finals.
“The team is eager to reverse the situation. We talked a lot and we are fine.
“We are prepared to win, but these crucial things happen. We knew the Copa America wouldn't be easy. The teams have developed considerably, but the reality is that it was unthinkable that Argentina and Brazil would under perform.”
The Albiceleste have actually scored only 1 goal in 180 minutes of Copa America football. They are yet to bag a victory in Group A and they are now left with the sole option of beating Costa Rica or crash out of the competition on home soil.
Ahead of the encounter, some have already lost faith in two-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi. The Barcelona forward, who is a 2011 Champions League winner, has yet to impress Argentina’s avid supporters. But coach Sergio Batista believes that Messi’s moment to shine has come.
“I believe in Messi. We have the best player in the world. He must play like he knows how to do and do so without pressure.”
Finally, Sergio Batista has dropped his firm idea of making “absolutely no change” to the Albiceleste squad. Following their negative results against Bolivia and Colombia, the manager has decided to exclude Carlos Tevez and Lavezzi from Argentina’s starting XI which will go this way:
Goalkeeper: Romero
Defenders: Zabaleta, Burdisso, Milito, Zanetti
Midfielders: Mascherano, Gago
Forwards: Aguero, Messi, Di Maria and Higuain as a lone striker.
Will Argentina make it to the 2011 Copa America's quarter-finals? Express yourself in numbers! Let us know your opinion ahead of this crucial game!
“We are prepared to win, but these crucial things happen. We knew the Copa America wouldn't be easy. The teams have developed considerably, but the reality is that it was unthinkable that Argentina and Brazil would under perform.”
The Albiceleste have actually scored only 1 goal in 180 minutes of Copa America football. They are yet to bag a victory in Group A and they are now left with the sole option of beating Costa Rica or crash out of the competition on home soil.
Ahead of the encounter, some have already lost faith in two-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi. The Barcelona forward, who is a 2011 Champions League winner, has yet to impress Argentina’s avid supporters. But coach Sergio Batista believes that Messi’s moment to shine has come.
“I believe in Messi. We have the best player in the world. He must play like he knows how to do and do so without pressure.”
Finally, Sergio Batista has dropped his firm idea of making “absolutely no change” to the Albiceleste squad. Following their negative results against Bolivia and Colombia, the manager has decided to exclude Carlos Tevez and Lavezzi from Argentina’s starting XI which will go this way:
Goalkeeper: Romero
Defenders: Zabaleta, Burdisso, Milito, Zanetti
Midfielders: Mascherano, Gago
Forwards: Aguero, Messi, Di Maria and Higuain as a lone striker.
Will Argentina make it to the 2011 Copa America's quarter-finals? Express yourself in numbers! Let us know your opinion ahead of this crucial game!
