Argentina coach ‘wary’ of Saudi Arabia threat in World Cup opener

ABU DHABI: Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said on Tuesday he is wary of the threat posed by their World Cup-opening rivals Saudi Arabia.

The Argentines, who have landed in Group C alongside Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland, will take on the Green Falcons in their first game in Qatar on November 22 at Lusail Stadium.

La Albiceleste are currently in Abu Dhabi, where they will wrap up their World Cup preparations with a friendly game against UAE at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday before heading to Doha.

“We know Saudi Arabia well; we watched them a few days ago against Panama. It’s a very good team, a technically strong team with fast players, similar to the UAE,” Scaloni told reporters in a press conference at Al Nahyan Stadium on Tuesday.

“They will make things difficult for us. On top of that it is our first game of the World Cup, which is always difficult.

“It’s on a continent that is quite particular. But, well, I repeat, at a World Cup I think everyone is difficult. It would be ridiculous to say that it’s not a difficult rival because it’s definitely a difficult rival and also it’s our first rival of this World Cup.”

With PSG superstar Lionel Messi at the helm, Argentina are looking to win their first World Cup since 1986.

At 44 years of age, Scaloni, who guided Argentina to their first major trophy in 28 years at the 2021 Copa America, is the youngest coach leading a side at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Scaloni’s main message to his players is for them to “enjoy” their experience at the World Cup, and he insists there is no added pressure on their shoulders, despite being considered title favorites.

Argentina are on a 35-game unbeaten run and haven’t lost a match since 2019.

It is a situation