DOHA, Qatar — Mexico supervisor Gerardo “Tata” Martino stated he would do “every little thing attainable” to knock out his dwelling nation Argentina and star participant Lionel Messi from the World Cup,
Argentine-born coach Martino, who was Messi’s coach at Barcelona in the course of the 2013-14 marketing campaign, was blunt in his evaluation on knocking out his former participant from the event.
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“What would you do in my place? I do know the place I used to be born, I will inform you the 12 months, the title of the hospital, town’s space code,” Martino advised a prematch information convention on Friday. “However I’ve to do every little thing attainable for Mexico to win.”
Whereas Mexico are heading into Saturday’s match at Lusail Stadium with some extent after a 0-0 draw with Poland, Argentina will likely be determined to bounce again after a surprising 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia of their World Cup opener.
One other loss for Argentina would imply a surprising early exit from the event for a group thought-about as one of many favourites to win the trophy.
It will additionally imply one other version of the World Cup failure for Messi, who has stated that he is playing in his last tournament.
Martino was skeptical that he might do a lot to halt the efforts of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Stopping him, it occurs extra actually because he is having a foul afternoon than what we will do,” Martino stated. “The perfect footballer within the final 15 years, no less than.”
Earlier than Mexico face Argentina on Saturday, fellow Group C members Poland and Saudi Arabia will take the sector at Training Metropolis Stadium earlier within the day.
After the weekend video games, Mexico will shut out their group stage run in opposition to Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on Wednesday, whereas Argentina will face Poland at Stadium 974, additionally Wednesday.
