Alejandro Sabella insists Argentina “have already won” regardless of their World Cup semi-final result with Holland.
The Albiceleste play the Netherlands on Wednesday at 21.00 UK time (20.00 GMT) in Sao Paulo and the winner goes on to face Germany, who annihilated Brazil 7-1.
Alejandro Sabella insists Argentina “have already won” regardless of their World Cup semi-final result with Holland.
The Albiceleste play the Netherlands on Wednesday at 21.00 UK time (20.00 GMT) in Sao Paulo and the winner goes on to face Germany, who annihilated Brazil 7-1.
“It goes without saying, 7-1 is not a normal result,” said Coach Sabella in his Press conference.
“This happens very rarely. This is football, the most illogical of sports. In any case, Germany showed again they are a powerhouse.”
Before thinking of the Final, Argentina must first get past the Netherlands, who needed penalties to defeat Costa Rica in the quarters.
“I think football is balance between attack and defence. The first striker is a defender and the first defender is a striker.
“We have improved a great deal in that respect, but must in any case be careful and put in a good performance.
“Will I confirm the last line-up? We’ll have to see tomorrow, but it’s fairly likely. We’ll work as always, with solidarity, a sense of identity and giving 100 per cent. Then we’ll see which team on the field has done better and made fewer mistakes.
“As football is illogical, I don’t know what will happen. I do know that to reach the Final we have to improve.
“We came here to go as far as possible. The objective was to reach the quarter-finals after 24 years, but now we want to reach the Final.
“There mustn’t be frustration or sadness if we don’t get there. Whatever the semi-final result, we have already won.”
Arjen Robben is the key for the Oranje in this tournament, while Leo Messi has the same role for Argentina.
“Robben is a player who can certainly go one-on-one and that way create superiority, so we’ll keep an eye on him for special treatment. We need to surround him, stop him from getting up a head of steam, otherwise it’ll be very difficult to get the ball back.”
It has been said that this Netherlands side is out of character, as it is more defensive than previous incarnations.
“Holland have a great Coach who can get his teams to play in different ways. Over his career he has proved that he can adapt to numerous systems. He’s very intelligent.”
Argentina are forced into changes, as Angel Di Maria is out injured and likely to be replaced by Perez.
“I have always said Di Maria is a very important player, as he brings balance, won the Champions League, is wanted all over Europe and gets on very well with Messi,” continued Sabella.
“Perez has fewer moments of magic, but he holds the space well, is suited to major competitions and has matured a great deal in psychological terms. It’s no coincidence he was named best player in Portugal.
“Sergio Aguero is improving and trained a little today. We’ll see how the game develops and whether he’ll be needed.”