Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has called for improved rest periods for teams advancing deep into the World Cup, highlighting the gruelling schedule his defending champions face. Should Argentina reach the final, they will play five matches in just 17 days, placing immense physical demands on the squad, particularly 39-year-old Lionel Messi.
Messi's Workload and Extra-Time Exertion
Messi has scored seven goals in Argentina's four victories so far, but the team was pushed to extra-time by Cape Verde on Friday, eventually winning 3-2. The additional 30 minutes played in sweltering Miami heat left many players suffering from cramp, a concern for Scaloni as the tournament progresses.
Despite the physical toll, Argentina appear to have a favourable path to the semi-finals. They face Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday, and if successful, will meet either Colombia or Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Scaloni's Plea for Fairer Scheduling
“As you get closer to the end, with more matches played, you need more rest, yet the opposite is happening,” Scaloni said at his pre-match press conference. “We played in Miami the other day in that heat and now we’re playing tomorrow at noon. The rest period isn't ideal. I think Egypt has had a few more hours (to recover), not a huge difference, but I believe that as the World Cup reaches its final stages, rest becomes even more crucial.”
Argentina's narrow escape against Cape Verde, where Diney Borges' own goal in the 111th minute sealed the win, highlighted the challenges of a tournament spread across three countries and 16 host cities, with varying time zones and climates.
Upsets and Level Playing Field
Since that match, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands have all been eliminated, underscoring the unpredictable nature of this World Cup. Scaloni believes the unique conditions are allowing smaller teams to compete on a more level footing.
“This World Cup is challenging – the travel, the heat, the pitches,” added Scaloni. “There are many factors preventing any single team from clearly standing out as the overwhelming favorite, even though the usual favorites remain. France really struggled against Paraguay the other day and not just because of Paraguay's quality, but due to various match conditions: the heat, the kick-off time, the pitch where the ball wouldn't run and the game being paused in the 20th minute. That’s why I say it’s not a typical World Cup in that regard. No one team has pulled significantly ahead of the pack but ultimately the usual contenders will make it to the end.”
Messi Fit to Start
Scaloni confirmed that Messi is fit to start against Egypt despite playing the full 120 minutes just four days ago. However, Leandro Paredes is expected to come into the side, allowing Alexis Mac Allister to operate in a more advanced role.
