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Argentina coach Sergio Batista: Barcelona's Lionel Messi is forbidden to play in our half
Forward instructed to be a constant attacking presence...
7 Sep 2010 15:27:00
By Daniel Edwards
Argentina coach Sergio Batista wants Lionel Messi to recreate the form he shows for Barcelona for his national side.
The 23-year-old will start in the friendly against Spain on Tuesday and has been told he cannot drop into his own half.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game, Batista said: "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. Just like in Barcelona, or the Olympic Games.
"He has been banned from dropping back further than halfway, I want him to feel comfortable in this team."
Batista also confirmed the team that will take the field against Spain. Argentina will line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain making up the attacking trident; although 'El Checho' revealed that he expects this to be more fluid in set-up.
"When we attack we will play a 4-3-3, and when Spain have the ball we will change to a 4-1-4-1, with Gonzalo [Higuain] as the only real attacker. That is what I like and I believe the players are capable of doing it," Batista revealed on Monday, before adding that he expects his teams to always play a certain style of football.
"I don't like the teams who arrive quickly to the goal. I want them to play calmly and that everyone is involved when we have the ball. The ball has to exit cleanly from the defender's feet. Mascherano must not just obstruct, but also play when he has the ball at his feet."
| Bet: | Returns: | Argentina £24.50 | Draw £32.50 | Brazil £26.00 |
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The 23-year-old will start in the friendly against Spain on Tuesday and has been told he cannot drop into his own half.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game, Batista said: "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. Just like in Barcelona, or the Olympic Games.
"He has been banned from dropping back further than halfway, I want him to feel comfortable in this team."
Batista also confirmed the team that will take the field against Spain. Argentina will line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain making up the attacking trident; although 'El Checho' revealed that he expects this to be more fluid in set-up.
"When we attack we will play a 4-3-3, and when Spain have the ball we will change to a 4-1-4-1, with Gonzalo [Higuain] as the only real attacker. That is what I like and I believe the players are capable of doing it," Batista revealed on Monday, before adding that he expects his teams to always play a certain style of football.
"I don't like the teams who arrive quickly to the goal. I want them to play calmly and that everyone is involved when we have the ball. The ball has to exit cleanly from the defender's feet. Mascherano must not just obstruct, but also play when he has the ball at his feet."
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