CANADA head coach Jesse Marsch believes it is not inconceivable that his side will beat Argentina in their Copa America semi-final clash.
Marsch’s underdogs face the champions and favourites, captained by eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, in the tournament’s first semi-final in the early hours of tomorrow in New Jersey, the United States of America.
Former Leeds United coach Marsch likens the showdown to the Biblical David vs Goliath battle, which the former won despite being much smaller in stature.
Argentina, who also won the World Cup in 2022, are ranked No.1 compared to Canada’s 48th position, but Marsch is not ruling out his side from progressing.
“They’ve only lost twice in five years,” Marsch said of Argentina during his pre-match press conference.
“(Lionel) Messi is the best player to ever play the game. But we believe we have a chance and that’s the way we’re preparing.”
Despite losing 2-0 to Argentina in their opening match on June 20, in which Messi assisted both goals for Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, Canada remain confident having advanced to the semi-finals following a penalty shootout win against Venezuela.
“We know how good Argentina is because we played against them but we also had success in certain moments,” Marsch told reporters.
“I said after the (Venezuela) match that we probably have to play a perfect match and maybe even then it may not be enough.”
Marsch expects Argentina to have improved from the first meeting in the group stage but is backing his side to continue in the right path by at least giving the champions a tough contest.
“What an incredible opportunity to continue to show further growth. It’s not about how we can beat Argentina as much as how can we honour our development path and where are we trying to go and test ourselves at a very high level,” Marsch told a news conference last night.
“Argentina is the best team in the world and you can see how aggressive and sharp they are, how good Messi is. There are things we did well when we played against them. I think knowing their level and quality will be an advantage for us,.”
