Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni Tuesday kept his cards close to his chest with regards to the XI or formation he is planning, while Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz heaped praise on Lionel Messi during their respective press conferences before their final group-stage match in Doha Wednesday.
“We will start the game the way we played and as the game progresses, we will see what decisions we have to make,” said Scaloni, who broke the long trophy drought with the Albiceleste last year after winning the Copa America 2021 in Brazil.
Though it was unrelated to their game directly, he praised their arch-rivals Brazil, who have already qualified for the knock-out phase.
"I'm South American and I'm happy that Brazil are through. If it isn't Argentina, I prefer that a South American team goes through, anyone who thinks otherwise is mistaken. Brazil are doing really well and I congratulate them," said Scaloni.
Argentina, like the last World Cup, are at risk of missing out on the second round, and if they do advance as the group runners-up, they could meet reigning champions France in a similar fixture where they were all but humiliated.
Regarding the possibility, Scaloni told journalists: "Firstly we have to go through. Then we'll see who we get. Without underestimating anything, there is still a way to go yet."
Also Read: Scaloni calls for calm after Messi magic
Poland in contrast are expectedly preparing their game-plan around opposition captain Messi and coach Michniewicz took a lot of time in the press conference to justify why he compared the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner to skiing great Alberto Tomba.
"Messi on the pitch is like Alberto Tomba on the slope, he's able to avoid everyone like Tomba can get around everything. So we need to put players around Messi because if he can get around them easily, he will easily score," he said.
Michniewicz was not convinced what it would take to stop the PSG-man as the whole world is still searching for the golden formula.
"One player cannot stop Messi, we must get players around him. The whole world has been thinking for years about how to stop Messi, and he has made dozens of goals and assists. I don't think we'll ever find the final answer to this question," he added.
Despite praising Messi so highly, Michniewicz also made everyone remember that football is not a game of individuals when many are labelling this as the clash between Messi and Lewandowski.
"It's not only a match between Lewandowski and Messi, it's not tennis. Robert needs his teammates, the same as Leo needs his. We rely on these great strikers but they cannot win on their own," said the coach.
