The Netherlands head coach Louis Van Gaal has called Argentina captain Lionel Messi the most dangerous and creative player ahead of their quarter-final clash. The Dutch beat the USA 3-1, while Argentina edged Australia 2-1 in the round of 16 stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 7, 2022 11:58 AM IST
Argentina to face the Netherlands on December 10 (AP)
By India Today Web Desk: The Netherlands head coach Louis Van Gaal has called Argentina captain Lionel Messi the most dangerous and creative player ahead of their quarter-final clash. The Dutch beat the USA 3-1, while Argentina edged Australia 2-1 in the round of 16 stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking ahead of their quarter-final tie, Van Gaal said Messi will be the most dangerous and creative player in their clash with Argentina.
“That’s an intelligent question, honestly. Indeed, Messi is the most dangerous and creative player. He is able to create a lot, to prepare goals and even score. But at the other hand, when the opponent has possession of the ball, he does not participate much at the game, so that’s where we will have opportunities,” said Van Gaal.
The Dutch coach said they have an account to settle with Argentina, who knocked the Netherlands out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil at the semi final stage.
“I hope that we can win against Argentina. Then we still have a chance to win the World Championship. Everything is possible. It’s not so that we have no chance against Argentina. And we have an account to settle. So it would be very nice if this time we will win,” Van Gaal added.
When asked if Messi is the best player in the world right now, the former Manchester United manager said he looks at players according to positions, adding that he would play Messi as a number 10.
“You can not compare apples to pears. In my philosophy, it’s about position, so you should compare positions. He (Messi) plays at his position on a very different way than I would want to play my number 9. Yes, it’s very difficult,” said Van Gaal.
Argentina will play the Netherlands in the first quarter-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on December 10.