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Argentina captain Lionel Scaloni said Lionel Messi will be able to play in Tuesday’s Copa America semi-final against Canada in New Jersey despite concerns about his hamstring injury.
Messi missed the final group game through injury but returned to help Argentina beat Ecuador on Thursday. He played the entire game but looked unwell.
The 37-year-old Inter Miami player missed the penalty in the game-deciding shootout at NRG Stadium in Houston.
“Messi is in good shape, he’s playing well, so he will play tomorrow and we are calm,” Scaloni said at a news conference ahead of the semifinal at MetLife Stadium on Monday. “His level looks good. He is crucial for us.”
Argentina and Canada will meet for the second time in the tournament after their opening match in Group A, where the defending champions defeated the CONCACAF side 2-0.
Scaloni said he and Canadian Foreign Minister Jesse Marsh would seek to try “something different” this time around.
“All coaches make a note to correct mistakes and hit opponents,” said the 46-year-old. “Every coach has to do something different. We try to keep the ball and stop them from playing at their level.”
The Argentina coach added that his side will look to counter the physicality and aggression of a Canadian side that just beat Venezuela on penalties.
He said: “The Canadian players have good physical fitness and skills, and the coach has also taught the team a positive style of play.”
“They make it difficult for all teams. Physically it will be difficult for us to match them, but with our quality we hope to play our game.”
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