'Argentina preparing to win the Copa

Forum 9 years ago

'Argentina preparing to win the Copa

Lionel Messi believes Argentina's 2-1 win over Croatiaon Wednesday was an important step as they prepare to build a challenge for the Copa America next summer.
The 27-year-old ultimately scored the winner from the spot, adding to Cristian Ansaldi's deflected opener after the South Americans had fallen behind, and he believes the clash at Upton Park was the latest hurdle to success.
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"We are preparing for winning at Copa America in Chile in 2015," he said. "We have to make a good use of the time together.
"In the second half we changed our plan and it went well. Every match - even every training session - is important for us."
Messi hinted he was a little challenged by the role he was asked to play on the right on Wednesday.
He started his career at Barcelona playing out wide but became the world-class superstar he is today after being deployed through the middle, where in recent years he has also shone for the Albiceleste.
But Gerardo Martino - who coached him at Camp Nou last season - told the four-time Ballon d'Or winner to patrol the flanks in their friendly with Niko Kovac's men this week and he suggested it was strange being back out wide.
"Martino said me I was going to play as a right winger," he explained. "I know the position, but I have spent a lot of time not playing in that position."
Argentina are back in action on Tuesday, November 18 when they face Portugal in another friendly in England, this time at Old Trafford in Manchester.