Sampaoli promises Argentina's best

A desperate Argentina will get one last chance to salvage their battered pride when they take on Nigeria in a do-or-die World Cup Group D match at the Saint Petersburg Stadium today. A win will keep their hopes alive but whether or not they will progress to the round of sixteen depends on the result of the night's other Group D encounter between Croatia and Iceland.

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli termed it a 'historic game' during the pre-match briefing at the Saint Petersburg Stadium yesterday and also promised that the world will get to witness the Albiceleste at their best.

“There is no other alternative and I'm sure that it is going to happen tomorrow. I'm convinced that you will see the best version of Argentina tomorrow,” said the under-fire coach.

Argentina are currently at the bottom of the group with a disappointing draw against Iceland followed by a chastening 3-0 defeat to Croatia.

However Sampaoli, who attended the briefing alongside goalkeeper Franco Armani, said the Nigeria game could be a turning point.

“Tomorrow [today] our goal has to be like we have to win five matches to get to the final and tomorrow is the first match,” said a confident Sampaoli, adding that the last few days have been very tough for the side following the Croatia defeat.

“We have to understand that so many situations arise, so many comments, so many stories are going around, we don't know which is true and which is not. It is very difficult to fight against such adversity on a daily basis. I don't feel or consume that virtual world news but some are effect by those comments.

“My mission is to help people around me to have the best possible condition to compete. How do we have to play tomorrow? With our heart. And this is what I'm trying to convey. This team is absolutely determined to win that match tomorrow and get to the round of sixteen and start a new page in this World Cup,” an emotionally charged Sampaoli continued.

While already refusing to disclose the starting line-up for the Nigeria encounter, Sampaoli even declined to entertain the notion of whether or not he would prefer to use experience in the crunch game.

“It's a difficult question because in your mind you are presuming the historical (experienced) players are going to play tomorrow. But I have not given you the names of the players. This is a delicate moment that we come to the game tomorrow. The players who will be playing tomorrow regardless of whether they are historical players or not they will have the obligation to leave their last chance on the pitch so that Argentina can qualify for the round of sixteen,” Sampaoli explained.

The Argentine coach also refused to disclose the details on a 'peace meeting' between the 'revolting players' and coaching staff.

“I talked to the players individually, I tried to instil in them my idea and project. These are private meetings and will remain private. This is something that I will never make public,” he said.

Sampaoli also guaranteed that his star striker and team captain Lionel Messi will be more involved against Nigeria.

“The last match was complicated for Messi. He did not get a lot of balls from the midfield and we did not have many goal scoring opportunities. I don't think it will happen tomorrow, he will have a lot of balls,” he added.

However, the only disappointing aspect of the nearly 30-minute briefing was that Sampaoli had a goalkeeper, who might play today in place of Willy Caballero, beside him. The meet could have been a more meaningful one had Messi been by his side in such a desperate time.