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LIONEL MESSI ranted about the waterlogged pitch

LIONEL MESSI ranted about the waterlogged pitch
Published 4 months ago on Oct 11, 2024

Flooded Pitch Causes Chaos in Argentina's Draw with Venezuela as Lionel Messi Rants About 'Ugly' Match.

Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Venezuela ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw, with Lionel Messi voicing his discontent over the poor pitch conditions that disrupted the game. The match, played in torrential rain, saw Argentina take the lead through Nicolas Otamendi's early goal, only for former Everton and West Brom striker Salomon Rondon to equalize for Venezuela.

The heavy rain left the pitch waterlogged, severely affecting the ball's movement and forcing both teams to abandon their original strategies. Messi, who is known for his precise passing and technical play, expressed his frustration over the challenges posed by the conditions. After the match, he described the game as "ugly" and criticized how the waterlogged pitch hindered Argentina's ability to execute their game plan.

Messi's Frustration Over Pitch Conditions

Messi explained that the soaked field made it difficult for the team to maintain any flow in their play, stating, "It was very difficult, it makes for very ugly matches. We could not complete two passes in a row." He pointed out that the conditions were particularly challenging in the first half, as Argentina struggled to move the ball forward with the water constantly stopping it.

A clip from the match showed Messi warming up, where a shot he took against the crossbar was halted by the water on the ground, preventing the ball from bouncing back. The rain-soaked pitch forced Argentina to play a more physical and defensive game than they had prepared for, as Messi admitted, "We had to play a different game than the one we prepared for."

Venezuela's Resilience

Despite the challenging conditions, Venezuela capitalized on Argentina's struggles, with Rondon netting the equalizer to deny Messi and his teammates a victory. The waterlogged pitch seemed to work in favor of Venezuela's defensive strategy, as it limited Argentina's usual quick passing and fluid attacking moves.

Messi highlighted that the team had to adjust their style due to the conditions, focusing more on battles and limiting risks: "We couldn't risk much by playing with passes to the back... In the first half, we made a couple passes to the back, and the water would stop it, and complicate it."

Delayed Kick-Off

The chaotic scenes were further compounded by a delayed kick-off, as the match was postponed by 30 minutes due to the referee's concerns over the pitch conditions. While the match was eventually given the green light to proceed, the state of the field continued to be a major issue throughout the game.

Argentina's draw with Venezuela leaves the team and their captain Messi frustrated, not only by the result but by the circumstances surrounding the match. Messi's post-game comments reflected his disappointment with how the weather and pitch conditions disrupted their ability to perform at their best. While the Argentine squad showed resilience in adjusting their strategy, the draw served as a reminder of how uncontrollable factors like weather can drastically impact a game.

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