‘It’s an important match for me and for the team'

The new coach of Argentina’s national football team, Alejandro Sabella, qualified as “very important” the friendly match that will be played against Venezuela on Friday at Calcutta (India).

“It’s a very important match for me and the team. The country has a great expectation over us and it’s a big responsibility,” Sabella told the Times of India, referring to the friendly.

“Venezuela is a good team and we will face the match responsibly,” the new coach that has replaced Sergio Batista added.

It will be Sabella’s debut as the coach of the team. “My main preoccupation is that the team is ready. I’m wishing that all the players are ready for the match,” he said during a press conference.

“We have a great team, and they are all fitted, we trust we will have a favourable result,” the coach continued.

The list of players summoned to play in Calcutta included Messi, Barcelona’s midfielder Javier Mascherano, Real Madrid’s Angel Di María and Gonzalo Higuaín.