By Joiner Martinez
Jun 28, 2024, 7:35 PM EDT
Canada coach Jesse Marsch said on Friday that the suspension of Chile coach Ricardo Gareca, Argentina’s national team, will not be an advantage for his team in the match in which both teams will play to stay in the 2024 Copa América.
At a press conference ahead of the Orlando game, Marsch said the suspension “can be considered an advantage,” but “in the end” it will be the players who will be on the field.
“Gareca will do a great job preparing them for a big game, and they will certainly be ready,” he added.
For the American, the sanction imposed on Gareca and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is a “harsh” one, although he considered that both Chile and Argentina had been warned beforehand.
He said Canada has also been warned about some “infringements” and said that he and his players are trying to stick to the rules and be “disciplined in every way.”
Conmebol suspended Gareca and Scaloni for one match for their teams’ repeated offenses of entering the field late after half-time.
Precisely after the opening match of the cup played between the Albiceleste and The Canucks, Marsch protested because the Argentine players took 20 minutes to take the field.
The Canadian coach stated this Friday that he made those comments “a little jokingly” and that he did not think anyone would be held accountable, although he considered it “remarkable” that it happened.
The coach said they are “one hundred percent” focused on the match against Chile, which he described as “one of the best teams” in the continental tournament in the last 15 to 20 years.
Marsch highlighted the experience of La Roja, which is “a successful team, with a very successful coach and really good, talented and experienced players.”
“So, clearly for us this will be a big challenge, we will make sure we play disciplined,” he said.
According to the coach, they will not be looking to settle for a draw in this match, so they will play a more offensive game, but without giving up too much space to Gareca’s team.
In his opinion, balance, discipline and concentration will be key and will determine how “successful” they can be.
Canada and Chile will face each other this Saturday at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, in the third and final match of Group A, which will determine which other team in the group will advance to the quarterfinals in addition to the already qualified Argentina.
The Canucks lost 2-0 to Argentina and added three points by beating Peru 0-1.
Keep reading:
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Pablo Aimar will coach Argentina in the Copa América due to Conmebol’s sanction against Lionel Scaloni