Mighty Argentina Confident against Mexico
June 25, 2005
The game between the Group A runners-up and Group B winners is being held in the shadow of the scandal involving Mexican players Salvador Carmona and Aaron Galindo, who were sent home on Tuesday in disgrace on suspicion of having taken the banned steroid nandrolone.
While that is hardly the best way for Ricardo Lavolpe's team to prepare for Argentina on the plus side is the return of the talismanic Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez, who had to sit out Mexico's wins against Tuinisia and Brazil due to a leg injury, but was used as a substitute in their goalless draw against Greece.
"I'm proud of what my teammates have accomplished so far. It's a young side that's done well to adapt to the tactics adopted by the manager," said Marquez. "Argentina are one of the best sides in the world but we're ready. It's been a long time since we lost, which proves our team can go far."
Unbeated streak
In fact Lavolpe's men are seeking to stretch their unbeaten run to 22 matches - and defeating the world champions Brazil will have done their confidence no end of good ahead of this stern test.
Argentina striker Javier Saviola spelled out the dangers presented by Mexico. "We've got to be careful," warned the Monaco star. "Mexico have proved tough opposition for us in the past. Their style of play is very different to ours. They're fast and well organized, we've got to be calm."
He said his side had improved as the competition had progressed, and the match would act as a benchmark to see where Argentina stood one year from the World Cup, which many are tipping the South Americans as the favorite to win. Though they are strong, they are not invincible. At the Confed Cup, Argentina have excelled in attack, but also have suffered from a leaky defense, with five goals slipping past keeper German Lux.
Those are charges Lux, however, denies. "I don't believe we are weak defensively. There are things we're working on, we've got to make sure we don't make any errors," said the young River Plate player. "Argentina are always favorites and we hope to live up to that on Sunday,"
Argentina opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Tunisia, followed by a 4-2 defeat of Australia before a 2-2 draw with Germany. Mexico, the surprise package at the tournament, saw off Japan 2-1 before that shock 1-0 win over Brazil, the goal coming from Jared Borgetti, with their first round phase ending with a goalless draw to Greece.