Copa America 2019: Tite believes Brazil must slow down 'unstoppable' Lionel Messi

Sport360 staff 11:05 02/07/2019
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  • Brazil coach Tite labelled Lionel Messi as ‘unstoppable’ ahead of their Copa America semi-final clash against Argentina.

    The biggest fixture in international football will see a shaky Brazil side take on an equally vulnerable Argentina on Tuesday night.

    Messi – who has scored just one goal in the tournament – has unsurprisingly been kept quiet but Tite is wary of the Barcelona star’s ‘slump’.

    The Brazil boss believes Messi is unstoppable and he can only be slowed down by the opposition.

    “We spoke not only of the individuality of Argentina. They have grown in collective terms as well,” Tite said.

    “The collective enhances individuality. You don’t cancel out Messi, no, you can slow his actions, but you cannot neutralise his actions.

    “Just as [Philippe] Coutinho does not neutralise himself, [Roberto] Firmino, David Neres. They will, at some point, be decisive.

    “If the fans can bring all the affection they have given us when we arrived at the hotel to the stadium, it will leave me and all the players gratified and strengthened.”

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