Sabella accepts Messi criticism

Sabella accepts Messi criticism

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella says Lionel Messi
was right to criticize his tactics publicly after the
unconvincing 2 -1 victory over Bosnia -Herzegovina .
Messi was unhappy Sabella played with five
defenders in their World Cup opener against the
Europeans . It was only at half -time , after the coach
reverted to the usual 4- 3- 3 formation , that
Argentina began to look impressive .
Argentina face Iran in Belo Horizonte in their second
Group F game and Sabella insisted that Messi had
been right to speak out .
Sabella told a news conference: “I was not hurt by
Leo’ s comment and he has said that before .
“He likes to play 4- 3-3 with ( Angel) Di Maria up
front .
“He was asked how he likes to play and he
answered what he thinks in a respectful way. We
respect each other , we have a very strong team
spirit . It is good to have an open dialogue with my
players.
“Sometimes players learn from us the coaches and
sometimes we learn from them .
“We can all make mistakes you know . Tomorrow we
will start with a 4 -3- 3 formation and we will take it
from there . We may have to change the formation
or not .”
It was only after the change against Bosnia that
Argentina started playing fluently , culminating in an
excellent individual goal by Messi , who said a 4- 3- 3
formation makes it much easier for him and fellow
striker Sergio Aguero .
Messi said : “As strikers we prefer that system as it
gives us more attacking opportunities and if we
don’ t use that system we suffer a bit .
“We as strikers favour that line - up. In the first half I
was often on my own and so was Kun ( Aguero ) and
it was very difficult , so there are things to be
improved on .”
Sabella said he had no issue with Messi going
public over this concerns.
“I am the one who encouraged Messi to ( say that)
and I fully trust all my players from a human and
professional standpoint , ” he said .
“We have a two - way street in our dialogue because
if you don’ t let them say what they want to say
then you won ’ t get the best out of them .”
Iran drew 0- 0 against Nigeria in their opening game
but coach Carlos Queiroz admitted they were up
against it .
He said : “It will require a miracle since Argentina is
one of the best teams in the world and also they
have one day of rest more than we do. ”