MESSI THE FAN SEES MANUEL SERVE UP GOAL
Leo and Aguero watch as stand-ins win it late on
THEY came to marvel at the imperious majesty of Lionel Messi in full flow in Manchester – but had to crane their necks to catch a glimpse of the great man in the stands.
For those who had bought tickets on the understanding Messi would showcase his dazzling talent, it proved a crushing disappointment.
Especially as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, and arguably greatest player in history, had been used unashamedly to drive sales ahead of the game.
Argentina took what bragging rights there were in the 75th minute with a goal from Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega.
Italy were down then – and out 10 minutes later when Manuel Lanzini added a second.
Messi’s absence, due to muscle fatigue, was compounded by the fact Sergio Aguero was not even included in the squad at his home ground. Aguero, who has been nursing a knee injury that kept him out of Manchester City’s last game, was excused this game and will not travel to Spain for Tuesday’s friendly.
Messi and Aguero had featured prominently on the adverts for this encounter – billed as ‘Two Giants, One Game’ – in the hope their collective pull would draw a sizeable crowd to the 55,000-capacity Etihad Stadium.
But the turnout was derisory for a game between two nations who can boast six World Cups between them and some of the finest talents currently playing in world football.
Without Messi and Aguero, sat side by side high up in the stands, the occasion lacked the requisite stardust, even though established names such as Gianluigi Buffon and Angel Di Maria, as well as City defender Nicolas Otamendi, made the starting line-ups.
Watching on with Messi and Aguero was Wayne Rooney, which meant the record scorers for Barcelona, City, Manchester United, Argentina and England were all under one roof – a formidable trio who would surely have lit up this dour affair.
Buffon reversed his decision to retire in the wake of Italy’s shock play-off exit at the hands of Sweden to win his 176th cap.
And the Italy keeper proved his enduring worth at the age of 40 with a stunning save low down to his right to keep out an early header from Otamendi, repeating his heroics twice before half-time to deny Nicolas Tagliafico and Gonzalo Higuain.
Italy striker Lorenzo Insigne was guilty of a humiliating miss three minutes after the restart, skewing the ball wide from close range when it was easier to score.
Former City keeper Willy Caballero marked his first cap for Argentina with an impressive display, producing a series of fine stops in the second half when the Italians stirred themselves.
The deadlock was broken by substitute Banega, who drilled a low shot past Buffon 11 minutes after coming on, having exchanged passes with Giovani Lo Celso, Italy paying the price for switching off defensively.
West Ham’s Lanzini sealed the win with an emphatic finish to give Argentina a 2-0 lead they were in no mood to relinquish.