Lionel Scaloni and Emiliano Martinez criticised the state of the sector at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after Argentina’s 2-0 Copa America win over Canada.
Targets from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez bought the job executed for the reigning continental and world champions in Atlanta on Thursday, within the event’s opener.
Nevertheless, the state of the taking part in floor was an enormous concern, with the turf notably chopping up.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is used for each NFL video games – it’s the house of the Atlanta Falcons – and MLS, with Atlanta United taking part in their house matches there, however Scaloni was deeply sad with the preparation of the pitch, with a synthetic floor having been changed by grass on the eve of the Copa America.
“The beginning appeared just like the match with Saudi Arabia [at the 2022 World Cup], with the distinction that we performed on a extra respectable pitch that point,” Scaloni advised reporters.
“With all due respect, thank goodness we gained. In any other case, it will have been an inexpensive excuse.
“We’ve identified for seven months that we’re going to play right here they usually modified the turf two days in the past.
“It’s not good for the present. It’s not an excuse, the stadium is gorgeous and with artificial turf it have to be spectacular, however with as we speak’s turf it’s not appropriate for this sort of gamers.”
Scaloni’s sentiment was echoed by goalkeeper Martinez, who advised TyC Sports activities: “Coming right here in opposition to a robust Canada, with good forwards and on a subject that may be a catastrophe made it a bit of tough for us.
“We’ve to enhance in that side. In any other case, the Copa America will at all times be at a decrease degree than the European Championship.”
Argentina captain and talisman Lionel Messi turned the report look maker in Copa America historical past, overtaking Sergio Livingstone by taking part in in his thirty fifth recreation on the event.
Whereas he couldn’t mark the milestone look with a purpose, Messi did tee up Martinez’s effort late on, with that help his seventeenth within the Copa America.
“We knew it was going to be a troublesome recreation. We knew that Canada was going to be a tough staff to go in opposition to,” Messi advised FOX.
“They have been bodily, very bodily. Within the first half, there was little area. It was intense, bodily intense and robust after which within the second half we have been in a position to progress and get higher.”