Lionel Messi told to attack for Argentina
Argentina national team coach, Sergio Batista, revealed that he has issued precise instructions to his star man Lionel Messi- he’s not to even think about playing in Argentina’s half of the pitch.
Ahead of today’s friendly against reigning world champions Spain in Buenos Aires, Batista told reporters at a press conference that Messi had been given particular orders for the match.
He said that, "Messi's priority will be as an attacker. I want him 30 metres away from the goal, so that he receives the ball free and remains one on one with the marker. That, for me, is the position from which he can best perform for the team. He has been banned from dropping back further than halfway, I want him to feel comfortable in this team."
Batista also said that that he expected his team to dazzle supporters with a display of attractive, attacking football. He revealed that Messi would line up alongside Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez up front in a 4-3-3 formation, but added that he wanted Messi and Tevez to drop back to midfield when Spain is in possession.
He said that, "When we attack we will play a 4-3-3, and when Spain will have the ball we will change to a 4-1-4-1, with Gonzalo as the only real attacker. That is what I like and I believe the players are capable of doing it. I want them to play calmly and that everyone is involved when we have the ball. [Defensive midfielder Javier] Mascherano must not just obstruct, but also play when he has the ball at his feet."
The match will see Messi play against many of his club colleagues at Barcelona, with the likes of David Villa, Xavi Hernandez, Andreas Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique regulars for both the Camp Nou outfit and Spain.
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