Copa America

Lionel Messi set to miss out as Argentina prepare for Chile showdown

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -The absence of Lionel Messi in Argentina's lineup would normally be a source of joy for the Albiceleste's opponents, such is the influence of the reigning FIFA Ballon d'Or winner.

But Chile, Argentina's opponent in the Copa America Centenario on Monday, isn't your normal foe. La Roja prevailed in last year's Copa America final when it beat Argentina on penalties, so it won't be daunted, whether Messi plays or not.

Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal even went so far as to say he would like to see Messi on the field.

"I would like for Messi to play, I would like for him to recover, not only for Argentina but also for the sake of soccer because I want tomorrow to be a great soccer game, for the spectators to enjoy the game," he said through an interpreter at Sunday's news conference.

A report from Diario AS stated that Messi wouldn't play due to the back injury he sustained against Honduras on May 27, and at Sunday's training session, the Barcelona maestro could be seen training apart from his teammates and doing only light work with the ball. The hope is that he'll be available for Friday's game against Panama.

The development likely will leave Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi with the task of coming up with an altered game plan. But while Pizzi conceded there are "different options" for playing an Argentina side with Messi and without, there are some constants. Chile remains a side that aims to starve opponents of oxygen in midfield with an aggressive approach.

"I think the most important thing for us, that will make us happy, will be playing with the intensity that this team is capable of playing, acknowledging the key points of the opposing team, but imposing what is convenient for us, which is precisely that, the intensity, the aggression," said Pizzi. "We want also our individual players to make a difference."

The fact that the two sides met in last year's Copa America final has raised the subject of the revenge factor and how big a part it might play. But the two sides have already met in World Cup qualifying since last summer's encounter, with the Albiceleste coming from behind to win 2-1 in Santiago. As a consequence, both managers tried to play down such talk.

"In the final of Copa America in Chile, that was a year before. Chile won on penalties. That's history," said Argentina manager Gerardo Martino. "Not even the possibility of a final between the same two teams will give us an opportunity for revenge. That will just give us an opportunity, and we cannot change what happened."

Pizzi added: "When it comes to revenge, there are some words in the world of soccer that I try to avoid. I don't think that those words are appropriate for the players. But I heard some statements from colleagues that it gives us opportunities instead of revenge. I appreciate that assessment, it's right. I think that every game that you play gives you an opportunity."

The biggest opportunity of all looks set to fall to Argentina midfielder Nicolas Gaitan. Martino stated at his news conference that should Messi be unable to go -- which now looks likely -- it will be Gaitan who will take his place. And Martino stressed that Gaitan, who is reportedly set to join Atletico Madrid, will be successful so long as he plays his game.

"Gaitan doesn't have to play as well as Leo, that would be an extra responsibility," said Martino. "He needs to play his game. His job is to replace Leo, but I don't expect him to do anything like Leo. I want him to be himself more than ever because he has a very condition, and he can do it. He sprints really fast, he passes the ball very well. He dribbles very well. He's a very complete soccer player for any of the two wings."

Opportunity is knocking for Pizzi as well. The 47-year-old is managing in his first major tournament since taking over for predecessor Jorge Sampaoli four months ago. And while he'll no doubt put his own stamp on things -- his cool demeanor is certainly different from the uber-intense Sampaoli -- he won't be tearing down what has already been built.

He said: "I think everybody in the world of soccer recognizes the evolution of this team and the identity that we have been getting from some time ago. Now it's my time to pick up the efforts of the last 10 or 12 years. I want to continue introducing improvement and I want this team to continue moving forward."

With Messi sidelined, his odds of winning Monday's match have improved considerably.

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