Scaloni: Messi's Activation 'Activates Everyone' on Argentina Team

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni spoke after his team's victory over Austria secured their passage to the next round of the World Cup. Scaloni addressed the missed penalty by Lionel Messi, revealing his message to the players during the hydration break that followed. "It was a blow. The team had done two or three good things. The penalty play was very good. Finishing it would have been wonderful. We had the feeling that if we had scored that goal, it would have been different. But we were able to reverse it too. It's a blow not to convert, but when Leo activates, everyone activates," Scaloni stated. He further detailed his instructions during the break, emphasizing patience and ball movement to find passing opportunities. "I told them there were things to improve, that by patiently moving the ball from one side to the other we would find the passes. They didn't want to come out at one point in the first half. We shouldn't rush. If the play had to last two minutes, let it last two minutes." Scaloni also highlighted Messi's commitment, noting his defensive work and ball recovery that led to a goal. "I think even today, when the team was suffering without the ball, he worked, he recovered a ball for one of the goal plays. He seemed committed. That's for a reason. It's impressive what he generates. I don't know what else to say about him anymore. It's even tiring," he said with a laugh. Describing the match in Dallas, the coach used the word "suffering." "We suffered, but we know how to suffer. That is a merit of the team, which knew what to do. It's a complicated opponent, very tall and physical. Happy to have qualified. It seemed like it was going to be easy, but it wasn't," he remarked. He also mentioned the early substitution of Cuti Romero due to a leg issue, expressing hope it is not serious.

“

It's a blow not to convert, but when Leo activates, everyone activates.