Lionel Scaloni remains unconcerned about Argentina despite a nervy 2-1 victory over Mauritania, stating he would rather see the team face difficulties now than during the World Cup.
First-half goals from Enzo Fernandez and Nico Paz initially suggested a comfortable win at La Bombonera on Friday, but Mauritania made things challenging after the interval.
Even after Lionel Messi entered the game at half-time, the minnows, ranked 115th in the FIFA rankings, applied sustained pressure and scored a late goal through Jordan Lefort.
Argentina dominated possession with 64.3%, but registered fewer shots (seven to 11) and expected goals (0.67 xG to 1.04) than Mauritania, producing an underwhelming performance.
Scaloni, however, made eight substitutions and handed debuts to defenders Gabriel Rojas and Agustin Giay, showing he is not overly worried about the team’s progress.
“It’s true that the match was not good, that’s the reality. But we drew a lot of conclusions,” Scaloni said. “There are no easy opponents. Everything is useful preparation for what is coming.
“Concern in itself, no. There are things to correct, as always, and it is better that they happen now, to test us, so we see things.
“I spoke with Leo [Messi] about playing this match for a while and that [45 minutes off the bench] is what we decided.
“We didn’t play a good game, that’s pretty clear to me. This team can play much better, it’s obvious. Individually, I am not going to go through the players one by one, but everyone played their part.
“It’s true that when the team doesn’t play a good game, it’s difficult for you to save yourself. When the team plays well, everyone plays well, but in general, those who made their debuts – which is not easy – played their part.”
While many familiar faces started for Argentina on Friday, new players like Franco Mastantuono and Nico Paz impressed.
Enzo Fernandez, one of Argentina’s youngest starters during their 2022 World Cup win, emphasized helping new teammates settle in.
“I am very calm about this,” Fernandez said. “Obviously every time I have the opportunity to talk to a new team-mate who comes, to support him, to give him confidence, to show everything he does at his club, I will. That is what makes up the national team, the union and the strength we have.”
Argentina will face Zambia in another friendly on Tuesday as they prepare for their Group J opener against Algeria at the World Cup in Kansas City on June 16.
