Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, admitted that he struggled not to get emotional after his team’s classification, this Tuesday (13), for the World Cup final and recalled that “one step is missing” for the title.
“I try not to get emotional. It’s very difficult. I’m in the dream place of every Argentine. Everyone would act like me. When you play for the national team and represent your country, it’s impossible not to do what these kids do. It’s emotional,” said Scaloni at a press conference after the 3-0 victory over Croatia in the World Cup semifinals.
“When we lost to Arabia (in the opening game in Qatar), we felt the support of the people and that is unparalleled. There are no club fans, we are all Albiceleste fans. It is a unique moment. Argentina is on the pedestal of football and that has to make us happy,” he added.
The coach once again praised the work of Lionel Messi, author of a goal and an assist against Croatia and the team’s top scorer in the World Cup.
“If Messi is the greatest in history, sometimes it seems that he is, because we are Argentines and we say so. I have the privilege of training him and seeing him, it’s something exciting. Every time he generates something for his teammates. Not only to the Argentines. There’s not much more to add. It’s luck and a privilege,” he said.
Scaloni also praised another protagonist of the game, striker Julián Álvarez, who scored two goals.
“Julián’s game is very good. Not only because of the two goals, but because he made a fantastic contribution to the three defensive midfielders. At his age, it’s normal that he wants to conquer the world. He’s a boy who, whatever you say, he We are happy because he was able to score goals and that is good for a striker”, he said.
Regarding the final opponent, Scaloni preferred not to choose between France or Morocco, who will face each other Wednesday in the second semifinal.
“I’ve never been one to look for an opponent. Whatever comes, will come. Both deserve to be here, they are two great teams”, he concluded.
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