Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni dismissed the idea that his team was feeling the pressure of being among the favorites to win the World Cup.
“This team has been playing as a favorite for several years and has always played well. But when things don’t go your way, you fight, with courage, determination … and this team has that,” he said at a press conference on Monday.
“You can play better, but if you don’t, if you don’t have that, you’re out.”
Defending champions Argentina will face Egypt on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals, but they only qualified following an emphatic victory over Cabo Verde after extra time.
The defending champions meet the African nation, led by Mohamed Salah, in Atlanta to compete for the right to play against Switzerland or Colombia.
“The players are feeling the effects of the large number of matches they have played this year, but Argentina’s level is acceptable. We are satisfied. There are things to fix, but it is better when you win,” Scaloni said.
