Nicolás Tagliafico and Argentinian coach Lionel Scaloni of Argentina are preparing for the semi-final against Croatia, but came back to the heated clash with the Dutch national team at a press conference on Monday.
National coach Scaloni discussed the meeting with the Netherlands. “I want to be clear about this right now. The way the match went was because of both countries. And that sometimes happens. Then you sometimes have to distribute and collect. There can always be some quarrels, but then it is up to the arbitration to make a judgment,” said the Argentine manager.
“I don’t think it’s right that the image is created that we wouldn’t be good winners or losers. When we lost to Saudi Arabia, we also quietly went to our hotel to prepare ourselves for what was to come. After we won the Copa América final in Brazil, Messi and Paredes sat on the steps of the Maracanã stadium with Brazilian boys like Neymar. We have a lot of respect for the Netherlands and also for Croatia, for all opponents,” emphasized Scaloni.
Argentina does not keep positive memories of the last World Cup meeting with Croatia. The Croats were four years ago in Russia in the group stage with no less than 0-3 too strong for the Argentines. Tagliafico started that game. “It will be a different game than in 2018. We hope to be able to hurt Croatia from the first minute, but we also know that they are a team with many qualities, especially in midfield. It will be a tough match. But we know how to suffer,” said Tagliafico, who came on three times as a substitute during this World Cup.
Scaloni realizes that the pressure will increase on his players. “We’re playing for the whole of Argentina tomorrow and we know what they expect from us. The whole country is behind us,” said La Albiceleste’s boss, who expects Messi to rise again. “He’s a real winner and he’s always there when he needs to be,” concluded Scaloni.
