Argentina will treat their World Cup opener against Algeria with caution, coach Lionel Scaloni said on Monday, recalling the shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their first match at Qatar 2022 before they went on to lift the trophy.
“It’s a great team with quick players up front. It’s a good side to be careful with and to respect. They will make things difficult,” Scaloni told reporters.
He compared Algeria’s style to Morocco, who held Brazil to a 1-1 draw on Saturday, praising their “great players and good coach” Vladimir Petkovic.
Scaloni called for calm ahead of the opener.
“From the last World Cup we know the first game is not decisive, even if it is important. We have peace of mind that it doesn’t end in the first match,” he said.
The coach confirmed his squad is fit, with striker Julian Alvarez recovering from an ankle issue and available, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is expected to start after recovering from a finger fracture suffered in the warm-up to Aston Villa’s Europa League final win. Defender Nicolas Tagliafico, however, remains a doubt to start due to a calf injury.
Veteran centre back Nicolas Otamendi called for defensive discipline while underlining Argentina’s status as title holders.
“We know we are the champions everyone will want to beat,” said the 38-year-old, who last month agreed a deal with River Plate after leaving Benfica.
“We have the example from Qatar. Any team can cause problems,” Otamendi said. “We have to play our game. They have good players. Overall, we need to try to have solid defensive organisation.”
