Sacchi notes that Maradona containment plan could work on Messi
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Coach, Sacchi describes how his Maradona containment strategy could be applied on Messi
WHAT TRANSPIRED?: On Sunday, when the Albiceleste take on France in the 2022 World Cup final, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner—another Argentina playmaker who has solidified a place among the all-time greats—will be in attendance. Messi has so far wowed in Qatar, tallying a tournament-high five goals. The 35-year-old is still a talismanic force that makes it difficult for opponents to neutralize the clear threat he represents.
When heading Milan into battle against Maradona’s Napoli in the 1980s, Sacchi had similar issues. He explained to Gazzetta dello Sport the strategy he used, which might be used by coaches today: “There were three ways. The first was to keep the ball, so Diego didn’t have it. The second was to press high, so Diego wouldn’t get the ball. Third, if Diego got the ball, we would face him as a unit. The same applies to Messi and [Kylian] Mbappe, two phenomenons.”
THE BROAD VIEW: The French forward Mbappe have scored five goals to his name in the 2022 World Cup and will give Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni as many problems as Didier Deschamps is having with Messi. Mbappe has become a regular source of inspiration for Les Bleus.
Meanwhile, At the Lusail Stadium, Argentina and France will compete for the title of “greatest team on Earth,” with the defending champions from 2018 hoping to stop Lionel Messi from leaving international football on the highest of highs.
