Win and settle, draw and light the calculator (and the candles), or lose and pack your bags. These are the alternatives you will face the Argentine National Team this Saturday from 4:00 p.m. (television of Public TV and TyC Sports) when you see the faces with Mexicowhich does not have much margin for error either, for the second date of Group C of the Qatar World Cup 2022.
“We are playing a football game, with all the responsibility of knowing that a country is behind us hoping that we do well,” said Lionel Scaloni in the press conference this Friday, in line with what he has been saying in the midst of the World Cup euphoria that this is just a game.
True to his style Scaloni tried to take away the drama to the appointment of the Qatari night (Argentine afternoon), although it may have definitive consequences for the team’s World Cup aspirations. “As a player he was a kick, but perhaps the virtue he had was that he always went forward, and I expect that from my players”, said the DT in one of the answers that brought laughter in the press center.
The changes would be four
Although he did not confirm the team, it transpired that the pilot of the Scaloneta plans four changes regarding the team that came out against Saudi Arabia. These would be Gonzalo montiel by Nahuel Molina, Lisandro Martinez by Cuti Romero, Marcos Acuna by Nicolás Tagliafico and, instead of Papu Gómez, Alexis Mac Allister or Enzo Fernández.
The physical state of Messi
The one who has the guaranteed position, beyond the fact that he has been dealing with discomfort, is the captain. “He trained and trained well. It’s okay, more than ever we need everyone, his teammates, and surely everything will be fine. We have no doubts that there will be no problem”, explained the DT when asked about the physical condition of Lionel Messi.
Let people stay calm
“People know what this group has given and what they are going to give, they have full confidence. We know that we have an important game that luckily depends on us. I tell the fans that we are going to give everything, that defeat does not tarnish the road traveled”, added Scaloni as a message to the fans.
What has to happen in Arabia-Poland
The National Team will play with the result of the match that Saudi Arabia and Poland will cheer on from 10 o’clock and as happened with the clash between the Mexicans and the Poles on the first date (0-0), the best thing for Argentina is a tie, leaving the first two positions without owner until the last date. If the Saudis win, they will make sure they go to the round of 16 and will force the National Team to beat Mexico to continue depending on itself. If they don’t achieve it, Argentina will have to beat Poland on the last date and hope that Mexico doesn’t beat Arabia, among one of the many possible alternatives. If the Poles are victorious today, everything will be defined on the last date.
The long-suffering path of draws
Another possibility of advancing is to draw against Mexico and Poland. If Arabia wins its two games by at least two goals difference, and Argentina matches theirs, there would be a triple tie between the South Americans, the North Americans and the Europeans. And with a goal difference of -1, ours would be second. An option, of course, not recommended for sensitive hearts.