World Cup: Scaloni slams scheduling, says it’s ‘madness’ for Argentina to play again in 2 days

DOHA – Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says it is “madness” for his team to play their World Cup last-16 game against Australia with just two rest days after their last group match.

The South Americans carved out a 2-0 win over Poland on Wednesday night to top Group C and set up Saturday’s knockout clash with the Group D runners-up.

“I think it’s absolute madness to play in nearly two days and a bit when we are top of the group. I can’t understand it,” Scaloni said, talking to the media after the game at Doha’s Stadium 974 ended just before midnight.

“What time is it? Nearly one o’clock in the morning... Thursday, the next day, is for preparation and then we play. Those aren’t good conditions but it’s the same for everyone. We’re first in the group. We could have had more rest.”

Australia will benefit from only a few more hours of recuperation and preparation time than Argentina, given their last group match, a 1-0 win over Denmark, was completed earlier on Wednesday.

But Scaloni’s comments touch on the wider controversy over holding the World Cup in Qatar in mid-season and the more compressed timetable.

Argentina have found their rhythm again in beating both Mexico and Poland comfortably after they were shocked 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in their opening Group C match.

Scaloni praised his team for neutralising Poland’s counter-attacks and keeping attacker Robert Lewandowski quiet.

“It was to our credit. I think that we read the match very well. My players did a great job. They played very well and I am very happy,” he said.

But he also said they must be wary of Australia, who fought their way into the last 16 with gritty wins over the Danes and Tunisia.

“Our fans should enjoy this. We are happy today but we don’t want to be euphoric,” he said.

“All the games are hard. Anyone who thinks the match against Australia will be easy is wrong.

“We’re not favourites. If you think that just because we won today, we are going to become World Cup winners, you’re wrong.”

Lionel Messi, his captain, agreed, saying: “We know that now everything will be very difficult. That whoever the opponent, it will be complicated.

“We have seen recently, at our own expense, that any opponent can play a good game and win.”

Scaloni admitted he and his backroom staff had spent little time analysing Australia so far but would do so now.

Still, his players have gained confidence, and Argentina’s ability to bounce back from adversity showed their mettle, said midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.

He said: “We showed we have a lot of character and personality. We deserve respect for finishing first in the group and the way we played.”

Centre-back Nicolas Otamendi added: “We’re a team that get stronger under pressure, we keep demonstrating it.”

Besides making the knockout rounds, Messi also celebrated becoming his country’s most-capped player at the tournament after his 22nd appearance, surpassing his legendary compatriot Diego Maradona, who died just over two years ago. “I learnt it recently, I didn’t know it. It’s a pleasure to be able to continue to achieve these kinds of records,’‘ said Messi.

“I think Diego would be super happy for me because he always showed me a lot of affection. He was always happy when things went well for me.”

Despite missing a penalty – his 31st career failure from the spot – he said he was “happy” with this “big match”.

Messi, who still needs a World Cup winner’s medal to cement his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest players, also believes Argentina are moving up through the gears at precisely the right time.

“After the first goal, everything went our way. We started doing again what we had been trying to do since the start of the World Cup, but which we hadn’t been able to achieve for various reasons,” he said.

“Having been able to do it today, it gives us confidence for the future.” REUTERS, AFP