ARGENTINA CAPTAIN LIONEL Messi took aim at the state of the pitches at the 2019 Copa America after helping his team through to a semi-final clash with Brazil.
Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso saw the Albiceleste soar past Venezuela in a 2-0 victory on Friday in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.
Messi, however, once more failed to reproduce his best form, with a penalty against Paraguay his only goal in four matches so far in the tournament.
Leo recognises that he has been far from his strongest; although according to the Barcelona star the Copa’s groundsmen are also at fault.
“I am not having my best Copa America,” he told reporters at the final whistle in Rio.
“In truth, the pitches are shameful. It is hard to control the ball and carry it.
“The ball looked like a rabbit, it goes all over the place with this pitch. All we can do is adapt.
“The pitches are awful. That doesn’t help keep possession, you need a second longer, it bounces poorly, you cannot lead.
“But we played a complete game and we were able to win.”
Martinez, who with two goals is Argentina’s top scorer to date in the Copa, added that the Albiceleste will start as underdogs against Brazil – but he is relishing the challenge.
“We have our own players,” he pointed out.
We know it will be difficult because they are the home side and they will be in front of their fans.
“We are showing that we give our all in every game. Luckily things are going well.”
Argentina meet Brazil in Belo Horizonte’s Estadio Mineirao on Tuesday, their first meeting in a major finals since the 2007 Copa America final.
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Not even close!!!
Except if Van Dijk is turned he has the pace to recover and also turns faster than a JCB in the first place. If Maguire goes to City I can see him being punished on the break. Also if he was the exact same player only Irish theres not a hope this figure would be paid for him and he probably wouldn’t have even got to Leicester.
@Hugh Jass: I don’t know what Maguire you’re taking about, but this lad bossed City’s attack a few weeks back and had no problem running up the wing with the ball , skipping past opposition wingers and defenders and putting in a fairly decent cross for a CB… and don’t say that’s just one game !!! Its my opinion he has the same attributes as Ramos in that he’s powerful, good in the air, can run with the ball and is a danger in the box for any defending team…..
There is similarities in their play tbf. Van dyke is better but I do rate Maguire and we would see what he can do at a better team. Time would tell.
@Seaniecp: Agree, and I do think he would be a great addition to the Utd team.
@Logan Shepherd: not for 100m
@Ich bin brendan: Definitely not. He’s not worth half that. But at the right money he is better than Utd’s current CB options. In my opinion anyway.
@Ich bin brendan: I wouldn’t believe fees that are being tossed around in the media or on social networks. He other day sky reported that but city and Utd would pay 65m for him … then you here 100m then 100m plus addons etc from other sources
Decent player but overacted by English media.
What is he smoking
Ha,ha,ha.
Hilarious
Hey 42 I think that’s just a picture Tody Leonard Moore in a Leicester jersey
A big lump