Wednesday 1 July 2015 00:55, UK
Lionel Messi will need to be on his best behaviour when Argentina face Paraguay in their Copa America semi-final on Tuesday, with the captain just one booking away from picking up a suspension.
The Barcelona forward is one of three key Albiceleste players walking a disciplinary tightrope, where a yellow card would mean missing out on a potential final against hosts Chile in Santiago on July 4.
Messi picked up a mystifying booking in the quarter-final victory over Colombia and he, along with Barca team mate Javier Mascherano and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, will now need to tread carefully.
Coach Gerardo Martino acknowledged that the threat of suspension hanging over the three players was a concern.
"It is a situation we are aware of," Martino said. "And in Leo's case we are talking about the best player in the world. But we hope that it won't happen to him, to Kun (Aguero) or to Javier."
Argentina were held to a 2-2 draw by Paraguay in their opening group game, despite leading by two goals at half time and the sides are set for their last-four clash in Concepcion for a place in the final.
Martino is aiming to guide Argentina to their 15th Copa America success but must first overcome a Paraguay side he coached for five years between 2006 and 2011.
And the former Barcelona boss admitted he would rather have faced any other team in the last four, citing deep ties with many of their players.
"I would have preferred not to play against Paraguay," he said. "We have many things in common, a lot of feelings, a lot of work, a lot of shared experiences - the World Cup, the Copa America. I've got a close relationship with many of these kids," Martino said.
Martino guided Paraguay to the final of the 2011 Copa America and also led the team on their memorable run to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.
"Five or six have played major tournaments together, developed together,” he added. “It made me grow as a coach, and it is clear that I owe a lot of what has happened to me since then to what we achieved together.”
Argentina are suffering an inexplicable goal drought which has seen them score just four goals in four games at the tournament so far, despite boasting one of the most potent strike forces in world football.
Messi, who scored 58 goals in 57 matches for Barcelona last season, has even been affected, having not scored for Argentina in open play in a scarcely believable 828 minutes.
Martino admitted his side’s failure to hit the target was a concern, but is confident it is mostly down to bad luck.
"It is clear we have a problem finishing which affects the entire team," he said. "But it's the result of bad luck more than anything else. We are creating chances to score."
Join us for our live blog of Argentina v Paraguay in the Copa America, with kick off at 12.30am on Wednesday morning. Go to www.skysports.com.
