Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni called on his players to honour the memory of Diego Maradona by getting their World Cup back on track against Mexico on Saturday.
On the two-year anniversary of the death of the nation’s footballing hero, Scaloni invoked the spirit of the man who captained his country to success in 1986 as they look to bounce back from their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia.
Anything other than a victory would leave the South Americans’ hopes of progressing out of Group C hanging by a thread.
“Today is a very sad day for everyone,” Scaloni said on the eve of the game. “Tomorrow we hope to bring some joy for Maradona, who will be looking down at us from the sky. That will be the most important thing for us.
“Every time we see images of him it is unbelievable that he is not here with us. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a happy day for all of us.”
While the 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, having been ahead, was a major surprise and put Argentina’s tournament at risk, Scaloni insists they have put the result behind them.
And he is confident his players will produce a response after pledging they will “break their backs” to turn things around.
“Emotionally we had to digest (the result) and, when you have one blow, two blows, what you need to do is bounce back and this group is ready to rise and bounce back,” Scaloni added.
“We might receive a blow like on the opening match but we know we need to stick to our guns. We have a style that is non-negotiable.
“We will always break our backs until the last second we are on the pitch so we can reverse this initial situation. That is non-negotiable.”
Buenos Aires mourns Maradona - in pictures
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People mourn the death of Diego Maradona outside the Alberto J. Armando "La Bombonera" stadium in Buenos Aires in November 2020. Reuters -
The Cabildo of Buenos Aires, located at the Plaza de Mayo area is lit up during the three days of national mourning as a tribute to Diego Maradona. Getty -
Diego Maradona fans created an 'altar' in his honour near La Bombonera, Boca Juniors stadium. EPA -
A fan mourns in front of flowers and posters left in tribute to Maradona at the entrance of the Boca Juniors stadium. AP -
Flowers and posters left in tribute to Diego Maradona sit at the entrance of the Boca Juniors stadium. AP -
A man mourns the death Maradona, outside the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Buenos Aires. Reuters -
The Obelisk of Buenos Aires lights up with the colours of the Argentinian flag and images of Maradona. Getty -
A woman and a girl walk by a mural of Maradona in Buenos Aires. Getty -
People mourn the death of Maradona outside the Alberto J. Armando "La Bombonera" stadium. Reuters -
People mourn outside the Alberto J. Armando "La Bombonera" stadium in Buenos Aires. Reuters -
A painting of Diego Maradona near the Boca Juniors stadium in Buenos Aires. AP -
A woman and a boy walk past a mural of Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires. Getty -
People mourn outside the Alberto J. Armando "La Bombonera" stadium in Buenos Aires. Reuters
Mexico’s manager Gerardo Martino was born in Rosario – the home city of Lionel Messi – 180 miles from Buenos Aires, and was a former teammate of Maradona at Newell’s Old Boys.
However, he insists he has no divided loyalties as he prepares to face the country of his birth.
“If you were in my place what would you do? Mexico has to win, we hope Mexico win,” he said.
“I can tell you the place, the characteristics of my city, the hospital where I was born, but I work for Mexico and I want to win the game.
“What happens in football I leave it in the context of football. I am aware of the importance of the game for both Mexico and Argentina, but I have to do my utmost so Mexico can win. It’s the only thing I can do.”
After their opening draw against Poland, a point against Argentina would not be fatal for Mexico, especially with the group’s supposed minnows Saudi Arabia still to play.
But Martino insists they cannot approach the game with that mindset.
“It is very difficult to see it from that point of view,” he added.
“Sometimes you are not worthy of winning and you end up a draw and that’s a good result but sometimes you deserve more and you don’t win.
“I think we could have had a better result against Poland so we need to analyse things beyond the result.”
Martino coached Messi in a brief stint at Barcelona and admits he may have just had an off-day in their opening game.
“We have to think Messi will show his best version. Sometimes even without being on top of your game for 90 minutes in five minutes everything can happen.
