By Toby TAIWO
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni said his players need more time to rest ahead the final stages of the World Cup.
He complained that the scorching heat in the US is taking a toll on his players, especially, 39 year old Lionel Messi.
Should Argentina progress to the final, they face five games in 17 days, putting an extra demand on Messi to maintain his flying start to the World Cup.
Messi has scored eight times in La Albiceleste’s five wins so far, but they were pushed by Cape Verde on Friday before prevailing 3-2 after extra-time.
The extra 30 minutes in searing Miami heat was not ideal for Scaloni with many of his players ending the game with cramp.
However, Argentina do appear to a have a kind route to at the semi-finals.
After beating Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday, they will take on Switzerland in the the last eight.
“As you get closer to the end, with more matches played, you need more rest, yet the opposite is happening,” Scaloni said at his pre-match press conference.
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“We played in Miami the other day in that heat and now we’re playing tomorrow at noon. The rest period isn’t ideal.
Argentina survived a real scare from Egypt, who went two goals ahead twice before the defending champions netted three in 13 minutes.
Scaloni added: “France really struggled against Paraguay the other day and not just because of Paraguay’s quality, but due to various match conditions: the heat, the kick-off time, the pitch where the ball wouldn’t run and the game being paused in the 20th minute.
“That’s why I say it’s not a typical World Cup in that regard. No one team has pulled significantly ahead of the pack but ultimately the usual contenders will make it to the end.”
