Maradona memories motivating Argentina

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni called on his players to honour the memory of Diego Maradona by getting their World Cup back on track against Mexico today.

Yesterday was the second anniversary of the death of the nation’s footballing hero and Scaloni invoked the spirit of the man who captained his country to success in 1986 as they look to bounce back from their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Anything other than a victory would leave the South Americans’ hopes of progressing out of Group C hanging by a thread.

“Today is a very sad day for everyone,” Scaloni said.

“Tomorrow we hope to bring some joy for Maradona, who will be looking down at us from the sky.

“That will be the most important thing for us.

“Every time we see images of him it is unbelievable that he is not here with us. Hopefully, it will be a happy day for all of us.”

While the 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, having been ahead, was a major surprise and put Argentina’s tournament at risk, Scaloni insists they have put the result behind them.

And he is confident his players will produce a response after pledging they will “break their backs” to turn things around.

“Emotionally we had to digest (the result) and, when you have one blow, two blows, what you need to do is bounce back and this group is ready to rise and bounce back,” Scaloni added.

“We might receive a blow like on the opening match but we know we need to stick to our guns. We have a style that is non-negotiable.

Mexico’s manager Gerardo Martino was born in Rosario – the home city of Lionel Messi – 180 miles from Buenos Aires and was a former team-mate of Maradona at Newell’s Old Boys.

However, he insists he has no divided loyalties as he prepares to face the country of his birth.

“If you were in my place what would you do? Mexico has to win, we hope Mexico win,” he said.

“I can tell you the place, the characteristics of my city, the hospital where I was born, but I work for Mexico and I want to win the game.”

Poland play Saudi Arabia in the other Group C clash.