Chile vs Argentina - Messi back in Argentina squad for Chile clash
Posted Wednesday, March 23, 2016 by PA
Lionel Messi's return to the Argentina squad gives coach Gerardo Martino a boost as he looks to kick-start their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The mercurial Barcelona forward missed the first four matches as he was recovering from injury in Catalonia and the national team were disappointing in his absence.
Argentina are sixth in the 10-nation CONMEBOL region with just one win but there remains plenty of time to turn things around, starting on Thursday in a repeat of last summer's Copa America final which hosts Chile won on penalties.
With Messi set to come straight into the side, Martino may have to make a choice between Gonzalo Higuain, with 31 goals for Lazio, or Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, who has 21 this season.
Midfielder Javier Mascherano is suspended with an injury doubt over City's Nicolas Otemendi, but it is the return of Messi which has given everyone a lift.
"That plus means you expect the best," Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori told a press conference.
Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, so used to watching other sides struggle to cope with Messi, must try to keep out his Barcelona team-mate in Santiago.
He tried to play down the meeting, insisting Chile will work as a team to nullify his threat.
"As a group we are always very respectful of each rival," he told a press conference.
"If we become stronger as a group, without the ball especially, we'll be close to achieving the target.
"Playing for the team is a huge motivation, we want to win these games to qualify."
The national team are working with Argentinian coach Juan Antonio Pizzi for the first time following Jorge Sampaoli's resignation at the start of the year.
Bravo said the players do not have the luxury of easing themselves into his reign.
"Time is scarce, there is very little preparation time," he added.
"We will try to regain some strength and get fully into what we should do."
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