Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Lionel Messi will start in the Copa América semifinal against Canada on Tuesday, despite ongoing concerns about his fitness. Messi has been dealing with a right leg injury since the group stage win over Chile on June 25 but is deemed ready to play. ‘Leo is fine, he will play tomorrow, he is ready to play and we are calm,’ Scaloni stated in a pre-match press conference.Scaloni emphasized Messi’s crucial role in the team, stating, ‘Messi’s level is good, he is fundamental for us and I know what he can give us, even if he’s not in optimal conditions’. The coach revealed that Messi usually plays even when not at 100%, saying, ‘I ask him how he is feeling and if he says he’s not feeling well, he will only play the last 30 minutes’.Argentina, having previously beaten Canada 2-0 in the tournament opener, is preparing for a tough match against the surprisingly successful Canadian team. Scaloni praised Canada’s aggressive playing style, saying, ‘They are aggressive, they go for the rival team, they make you feel uncomfortable, they challenge you physically and compete for every pass on the field’.The Argentine coach also hinted at possible tactical changes, including the possibility of Messi starting alongside veteran Ángel Di María. ‘We will try to make the game run our way with our game and our weapons, and we hope to take the game to our side,’ Scaloni explained.The semifinal match is scheduled for Tuesday at 21:00 (Brasília time) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The winner will face either Uruguay or Colombia in the final, as Argentina aims to defend their Copa América title.
Key points
- Lionel Messi confirmed to start in Copa América semifinal against Canada despite fitness concerns.
- Argentina coach Scaloni emphasizes Messi’s importance to the team, even if not at 100%.
- Argentina preparing for a tough match against Canada, whom they previously beat 2-0 in the tournament opener.
- Possible tactical changes hinted, including Messi starting alongside Ángel Di María.
