Given the Argentine's super form, greece could be in for a Messimerising time; wonderkid is likely to be stand-in skipper for Mascherano, who may be rested
Given the Argentine's super form, Greece could be in for a Messimerising time; wonderkid is likely to be stand-in skipper for Mascherano, who may be rested
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| Sixy stuff: As many as six South Koreans are seen here trying to keep Argentina's Lionel Messi in check during their second group game in Johannesburg recently. Though Messi didn't score in the 4-1 win, he set up a fine hat-trick for striker Gonzalo Higuain with some clinical passes across the South Korean goal mouth. Pic/Getty Images |
Messi is expected to be named as stand-in skipper as Argentina is due to rest some of its key players for its inconsequential last group game against Greece tonight. Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Gabriel Heinze and skipper Javier Mascherano are expected to be among the players coach Diego Maradona plans to rest tonight.
Messi however, will play and Maradona justified his inclusion: "We wanted to give Lionel a break but he will play.
He's the best player in the world. I think it would be a sin not to give him to the team, to the people, and leave out a player who could decide the match."
Besides setting up as many as three goal for Argentina and Higuain goals in the 4-1 win over South Korea also came sloe to scoring at least four times in the opening match against Nigeria.
And Greece would just be the game where Messi will open his account at WC 2010. Maradona is looking
forward to Messi's first goal here.
"I'd really love that Leo does what is supposed to be done during the World Cup. I remember when I scored that first goal we had the match in our hands. Perhaps Messi can have the same experience," said Maradona, draws another comparison between himself and the little man.
"In the matches I played, I was there when they needed me. I didn't always score the goals and this is what Lionel is good for. He is distributing the ball."
Argentina vs Greece: Key clashes
Lionel Messi vs Loukas Vyntra
Vyntra who was not a regular in the Greece first team seems to have cemented his place in the side based on his performance against Nigeria. Will have to be at his best when marking the nimble footed Messi who will be captaining his side for the first time.u00a0
Sergio Aguero vs Avraam Papadopoulos
Maradona's son-in-law Aguero will be marked by the centre-back -- a tough job given the Atletico Madrid man's speed and sudden change of pace.
Live on TV
Mexico vs Uruguay
Live on Star Sports 19.20u00a0
France vs South Africa
Live on ESPN 19.20
Nigeria vs South Korea
Live on Star Sports 23.50
Argentina vs Greece
Live on ESPN 23.50
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