Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, explained why captain Lionel Messi was not included in the squad for their World Cup qualifier match against Bolivia, which they won 3-0 on Tuesday.
Despite Messi’s absence, La Albiceleste secured a victory with goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Nicolas Gonzalez.
Scaloni emphasized the importance of playing football effectively, considering the challenges of the match, such as the faster ball movement and reduced air density. He highlighted the need to pass accurately to players rather than into open space to create scoring opportunities.
Regarding Messi’s non-participation, the coach, who has won a World Cup, stated, “Leo was not in a condition to play. He attempted to recover yesterday, but he didn’t feel at ease, and we didn’t want to take any risks. It wasn’t crucial as there are significant matches on the horizon.”
Currently, Argentina holds the second position in the CONMEBOL standings with six points from two matches. They are set to face Paraguay in their next World Cup qualifier on October 13.