Rohr: Without Messi Argentina Not The Same Team, We Won't Make Mistakes

Published: December 09, 2017

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr says he's not carried away by the national team's 4-2 thrashing of Argentina in an international friendly in Krasnodar and has suggested that the absence of Lionel Messi was the reason the South Americans lost on November 14.

The German tactician revealed that Argentina legend Jorge Burruchaga who netted the winning goal at the 1986 World Cup, vowed that they will win the World Cup for a third time next summer when they met during the draw last week.

''We will not make the mistake of thinking that we already know them. We beat them in friendly Krasnodar last month, but Argentina played without Lionel Messi. And Argentina without Messi , it's not the same team,'' Rohr told football365.fr.

''They conceded four goals, they may not have changed much defensively, but offensively they can change everything. Argentina is still vice-champion of the world... ''

Rohr continued : ''This team is perhaps at the end of the cycle, but it can make it all the more formidable, with players eager to prove that they can win.

''I met Jorge Burruchaga in the draw. He told me "we are coming to win the World Cup. They have chosen a magnificent base camp and will put the package to make it happen.''

Nigeria have met Argentina four times in the group stage at the World Cup, losing by the odd goal on each occasion, including Brazil 2014, where Messi scored a brace.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : thenff.com