Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni revealed the trio of Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martínez and Julián Álvarez are ready ahead of their World Cup opener against Algeria. Scaloni said the team is calm ahead of the opening match as it is just another game of football.
Meanwhile, La Albiceleste was stunned in their opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup as they suffered 2-1 loss against Saudi Arabia. However, they were able to bounce back strongly and went all the way to win the title.
“Calm because it’s just a game of football. We have the experience of the last World Cup, the first game is not fundamental. It’s important, but it doesn’t end with the first game,” Scaloni said on Monday.
“We are good, we are calm. We are facing a good team with good players. But we are calm, we are arriving at a good moment.”
Meanwhile, Messi has been dealing with a mild hamstring strain, Álvarez has had an ankle injury, and goalkeeper Martínez is dealing with fractured ring finger but he is expected to start.
“Everyone wants to see [Leo] Messi inside the field, playing. He excited everyone, not just Argentines,” Scaloni said.
“From my part, it’ll always be like that. I don’t see anything negative. He’s been in different conditions and has always been here. He’s always been monumental for us, and now he will be even more. I see him well.”
“Emiliano is okay, Emiliano is available for tomorrow, if he does the same thing he did yesterday and the day before, I think he will play … Julian had an ankle problem but his recovery has been good and for tomorrow he is available and an option.”
Scaloni revealed Nicolás Tagliafico is the only player to monitor ahead of the match on Monday.
“I’ve always had difficulty [creating the starting 11] because of the quality of the players on the national team, beyond if we have an injured player which is not the case now,” Scaloni said.
“There are no injured players. We will just monitor the case of Nico Tagliafico, if he joins the team for training but in principle all players are available.
“I never had an inconvenience making the team. The inconvenience I did have was leaving behind great players, but equilibrium is principle. We play with 11 and we try to find equilibrium, so someone is left out but we are good.”
Argentina will face Algeria on June 16.
