Canada ‘not afraid’ of Argentina, says Jesse Marsch ahead of Copa America semi-final
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Canada coach Jesse Marsch is aware of what to expect from semi-final opponents Argentina, having played and lost 2-0 to the Albiceleste in the group stage.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
NEW JERSEY – They may be the reigning World Cup and Copa America champions, but Argentina do not strike fear in the hearts of Canada, said coach Jesse Marsch ahead of their Copa semi-final clash on July 9.
Lionel Scaloni’s side are also ranked first in the world while the North Americans are 48th, but that means little to Marsch, who pointed to his players’ belief in their ability to topple the giants and shock the footballing world at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
“We know how good Argentina is because we played against them, but we also had success in certain moments,” Marsch said of his team’s 2-0 loss to the Albiceleste in the group stage.
“They’ve lost only twice in five years. (Lionel) Messi is the best player to have ever played the game. But we believe we have a chance, and that’s the way we’re preparing ourselves... We’re certainly not afraid.”
The American coach has made an instant impact with Canada, taking over in mid-May and quickly implementing his high-energy, pressing style to great effect. In the quarter-final, the Canucks got past a Venezuela team who had won all three of their group stage games, winning on penalties at the end of a pulsating encounter on July 5.
Former Leeds United manager Marsch insisted his two-time Concacaf champions will play their usual attacking style.
“The game against Argentina will have to be the best we’ve ever played... We’re not going to sit back and just try to defend. We will be aggressive. We’re going to try to play the way we want to play and see if we can keep it up,” Marsch promised.
There is no shortage of confidence in the Canada side, who are playing in the tournament for the first time.
Bayern Munich wing-back Alphonso Davies said: “It’s going to take everything. Going into this game, we know what’s on the line. We win and go forward, we lose and go home.
“They’re going to come out with everything. We’re hungrier than ever, we expect a battle – as they should.”
Argentina needed penalty shoot-out heroics from their goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to get past Ecuador in the last eight and, while they have yet to really hit top gear, they start as clear favourites against Canada.
Their line-up remains largely the one which triumphed in the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 although 37-year-old Messi, troubled by a hamstring strain, has yet to perform anywhere near the level he showed in that tournament.
However, the midfield is packed with quality options and striker Lautaro Martinez has picked up four goals while the defence, marshalled by Lisandro Martinez, has looked solid.
Argentina and Uruguay, currently tied on 15 Copa America titles, will be hoping they can break the deadlock to become the most successful nation in the tournament’s history by winning the final in Miami on July 14.
Uruguay will take on Colombia, unbeaten in 27 games, in the other semi-final on July 10. AFP, XINHUA
