Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni attended the pre-match press conference ahead of the World Cup semi-final against England

Question:
Regarding Argentina’s performance in the previous match, what adjustments have you made? In preparation for tomorrow’s game, what areas have you focused on the most? Also, how is the team’s current condition?

Scaloni:
As we always do, we analyzed and reviewed the previous match. Tomorrow will be a different game because every match is different, and no two games are exactly the same. We will try to improve the areas where we did not perform well last time.

We have already discussed and analyzed those issues with the players, and the team is in very good shape. Everyone is highly motivated. This is a World Cup semi-final, and our expectations and dreams have not changed.

I will always be grateful to these players because they are the ones who have taken us back to another World Cup semi-final. Everyone understands how difficult it is to reach this stage.

Now we are in good condition, and we are about to face a very strong and excellent opponent. We hope we can earn the opportunity to advance.

Question:
First, do you think the team has reached this stage in the ideal condition you imagined? Or did you expect Argentina to arrive at the semi-final in better shape?

The second question is about Diego Maradona. For our generation, unlike the current group of players you coach, Diego was more of a legend. We tell these players stories about him, and they have learned a lot from those memories.

Tomorrow’s opponent is England, and this year also marks the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Mexico World Cup. We discussed this topic a few weeks ago. Over the past few hours and days, have you often thought about Diego? Do those memories inspire you? Do you watch the videos circulating on social media? Do people show them to you? Would you like to share those moments with others?

Scaloni:
Regarding the first question, honestly, I don’t think about whether the team has reached this stage in the ideal condition I imagined.

Because if someone had told me a month and a half ago that Argentina would reach the World Cup semi-final, I would have accepted it immediately. As for the condition we are in when reaching the semi-final, that is not something I worry about.

I don’t care about the exact state of the team right now, and there is nothing to criticize. Whether we are tired or not does not matter to me. We are already in the World Cup semi-final.

A month and a half ago, when everything started, I would have accepted this outcome without hesitation. Now I am very excited. We are all excited and happy.

We are not going to focus on how we arrived here. We are here, and now we have to play this match.

Regarding the second question, I think everyone remembers that match, and everyone remembers Diego’s performance, especially his second goal.

That goal was incredible and will remain forever in our memories. I believe it was one of the most beautiful goals ever scored, and anyone who loves football will remember it in the best possible way.

That goal came against England, but honestly, even if it had been scored against another opponent, it would still have been just as extraordinary.

We will keep that memory forever. The commentary from that match also made the moment even more emotional and unforgettable.

Question:
Are you considering making changes to the lineup tomorrow? And what does it mean for the team to face players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane?

Scaloni:
We have always been analyzing how to make the team better, while also studying how to limit these outstanding players as much as possible.

We may make some changes, or we may continue with the same lineup as the previous match. I have not told the players the starting XI yet, but adjustments are certainly an option.

They are outstanding players and among the best in the world. Without a doubt, every coach would want to have players like them in their team.

We will try to limit them in our own way and prevent them from performing at their best. We already have our own game plan, and we hope to execute it on the pitch tomorrow.

Question:
After the match against Switzerland, Messi said that this semi-final is very special for him because it is his first time facing England. Have you spoken with him about this? Have you discussed how he will approach the match?

Also, Argentina now has another opportunity to reach the final. Personally, how do you view this match?

Scaloni:
I have not spoken with him about this match or about how he personally feels. I believe every player understands what playing in a World Cup semi-final means. They do not need anyone to remind them.

I am feeling very good right now, and I am extremely excited. I am very grateful to my players because they are the ones who have brought us back to another World Cup semi-final.

Regardless of whether we reach the final or not, we must highly value what this team has already achieved.

Considering the stage we are at and the national teams that have already been eliminated, reaching the semi-final itself is a remarkable achievement, and we should view it that way.

Sometimes, because we have achieved many great things before, we feel that it is not enough. I have had those thoughts myself.

But I can assure you that I am very calm and very satisfied right now. I am extremely grateful to these players.

Tomorrow we will give everything we have to try to reach the final. There is no doubt about that.

Question:
If you decide to change the midfield lineup, how would you handle the situation? Of course, there will not be conflicts within the team, but asking players who have been important under your management to leave the starting lineup is never easy.

Scaloni:
I don’t understand why a player cannot be in the starting lineup, or why a player cannot be taken out of it.

We already did this during the previous World Cup. The team is always above everything else.

Whether the coach’s decisions are ultimately right or wrong, every decision is made with the team’s interests in mind.

When making decisions, coaches do not consider what these players have done for us in the past, nor what kind of players they used to be. We look at their current form and what they can contribute to the team now.

That is how we have always worked, and that is how we will continue to work.

As for tomorrow’s decision, we will see when the time comes. This is a very important match and a crucial moment.

Question:
Fans, players, and your coaching staff may have imagined this match countless times before going to sleep. For tomorrow’s Argentina team, what is the one thing you cannot accept the team lacking?

Scaloni:
I think the things you expect me to mention are things we already have, and we have never lacked them.

We have motivation and ambition. What we need to recover now is our footballing feeling — to truly play good football and make the most of our ability with the ball, because that has always been our greatest strength.

We already have everything else.

We need the players who have helped this team play great football in the past to show that same level again tomorrow. That is the reality. We need everyone.

As for everything else, I don’t think there is anything to worry about.

My players have always given everything on the pitch. They fight for every ball and give their maximum effort. Tomorrow will be no different.

Since I became coach, I have never doubted this quality.

We cannot forget how to play football. That is the most important thing.

Question:
I have two related questions. First, what would you like to say to the Argentina supporters who currently have huge expectations for the team?

Second, why has Argentina once again reached the semi-final stage of a major tournament during your time as coach?

Scaloni:
I want to tell the fans to enjoy this moment.

Everyone should feel satisfied today, be full of hope, and appreciate these players.

The fans should truly enjoy everything that is happening right now.

We will fight until the very last moment. That is the message we want to send to them.

Regarding why this team has reached another major tournament semi-final, I believe it is because these players have performed exceptionally well.

We have great players, but we also have a culture of never giving up in any match.

Every team that reaches the semi-finals has gone through difficult moments.

England has experienced difficulties. Spain has also faced challenges. They needed late goals to defeat teams like Belgium and Portugal.

To reach this stage, you must overcome obstacles.

If you can get through those challenges, the team becomes stronger and its form improves gradually.

I believe this is one of the strengths of this team, and they will continue to maintain this mentality in the future.