Coach Scaloni: 'Argentina did not intentionally play bad'
* Argentina - Croatia: 2pm on Wednesday 14/12, on MetaSports.
In the quarter-finals, Argentina beat the Netherlands on penalties, after letting the opponent equalize 2-2 in the official 90 minutes. Besides professional problems, the match at Lusail field also witnessed 18 yellow cards - a record at a World Cup match. The tension peaked in the 88th minute, when Leandro Paredes fouled Nathan Ake and then shot the ball straight into the Dutch technical area. Captain Virgil van Dijk immediately rushed to push his chest, causing Paredes to fall to the field, and players from both teams rushed into a scuffle.
However, Scaloni denied that Argentina deliberately kicked. He also cited the fact that Lionel Messi, Paredes and Neymar sat happily chatting in the tunnel, after the final of the Copa America 2021, where Argentina won 1-0 thanks to Angel Di Maria's goal. "Netherlands and Argentina were both caught up in the game," Scaloni said. "Every game has controversy or fierce tackles, and that's why the referee is on the pitch. Argentina always plays with pride, respecting all opponents, and that's one of them. our main characteristics".
In this match, captain Lionel Messi repeatedly provoked the Netherlands. After scoring to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot, the 35-year-old striker congratulated his teammates and turned to the Dutch coaching staff, saying, "You asked where Messi is? Where are you now? ?". After the game, he went to the Dutch technical area, pointing while telling Louis van Gaal and his assistant Edgar Davids that before the game they said too many bad things about Argentina. While giving an interview after the game, Messi also scolded Weghorst when he saw the Dutch striker approaching.
Scaloni was not surprised by these reactions, emphasizing that Messi always plays with determination towards victory. He also called on the captain striker to continue to contribute to Argentina after the 2022 World Cup, regardless of the achievements.
Argentina's opponent today is Croatia - the team has just defeated Japan and Brazil respectively in the penalty shootout to recreate the historic journey at the 2018 World Cup. In Russia four years ago, Croatia also defeated Denmark 3 in turn. -2 in the 1/8 round, then Russia 4-3 in the quarter-finals on penalties, and then beat England 2-1 in extra time in the semi-finals. Scaloni praised Croatia having many great players, and believes the opponent will not change the way they play today. The 44-year-old coach also sees midfielder Luka Modric as a role model for many Argentine players, because of his talent and proper manners.
Regarding the home team's style of play, he affirmed: "We have our own system and style of play. Of course, in certain situations, we need to take into account the way the opponent plays. But we will doesn't change the style beyond the system. The team will just change depending on how the game goes and overcome the challenge."
Today, Argentina are without Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel because of suspension, but Angel Di Maria and Rodrigo De Paul can start.
