Manager Gerardo Martino believes Lionel Messi can still inspire Argentina even without getting on the scoresheet.
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The Barcelona forward failed to net in their 6-1 semi-final victory over Paraguay but stole the show in a playmaking role. Messi dropped deep into midfield, participated in five of the six goals and ended the night with three assists as the Albiceleste turned on the style to set up a final against Chile.
Martino is not fazed by Messi’s lack of luck in front of goal – he’s scored once from the penalty spot so far – providing the 28-year-old is instrumental in other areas.
“If Messi gives passes that end up in goals then there is no problem,” Martino said. “What is more important is that he responds to what the game demands. He doesn’t look worried to me. He is happy and he has no problems. “He doesn’t need to be the team’s goalscorer to be happy.”
Lionel Messi making Paraguay look like a Sunday League team. pic.twitter.com/4GqVnB3uaN
— Football Vines (@FootballVines) July 2, 2015
Messi’s goal drought from open play now stretches to 918 minutes in all competitions but it is a statistic now utterly irrelevant. Something Messi himself recognises.
“I am not too worried that I did not score any goals,” the Argentina skipper said. “We played a complete game and we did what we were doing in the previous matches. We follow the same idea. “We fulfilled the first objective of being in another final. We are very excited that we can be champions.”
Argentina had scored only four times in four games going into the clash and Martino claimed beforehand that their finishing had let them down. However, he had no such complaints after his side’s superb performance against Paraguay.
“We are very happy because these guys are in another final of an important tournament in the space of less than a year,” he added.
“It’s not the World Cup but it’s very important. We will have to work hard to win the game against Chile in the final but today we played a good game and it’s clear we were very decisive.”
As well as Messi, the 52-year-old coach praised Javier Pastore after the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder scored one and was involved in several of the other goals.
“He played a great game,” Martino said. “He was clear of his role in midfield, he showed good skills and he found the spaces to attack goal which is something we are always talking about with him.”
Argentina now face Chile in Santiago on Saturday as the Albiceleste look for a first Copa America crown since 1993. Martino said: “We’re up against a Chile team that are playing well. They have good players and they will press us when they can and attack us just like they do.”
