New Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has described his team’s clash with Venezuela in India on Friday as more than just a friendly because expectations are so high. “It is an extremely important match both for me and the team. There are huge expectations from us back home and it is a big responsibility,” Sabella told Tuesday’s Times of India ahead of the match in Kolkata. “Venezuela are a good side and we will be approaching the match with utmost seriousness.”
The FIFA-sanctioned friendly will be the first match as Argentina coach for the 56-year-old Sabella, who replaced sacked Sergio Batista last month. “My primary concern is about the fitness of the squad. I am hoping that all the players would be fit and ready for the match. We have a good team, and if everyone is fit, we are confident of getting a favourable result,” he said. The match at the Salt Lake Stadium will also provide a rare opportunity for Indian fans to see two-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi in action.
“Messi is not only an Argentine star, the whole world expects him to do well. As a coach, I would like all the players to do well and win against Venezuela,” Sabella told reporters.
Messi and his Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano have yet to arrive in India but 17 members, including the Real Madrid duo of Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria, landed in the city on Tuesday.