The World Cup’s best dribblers — Lionel Messi and
Arjen Robben — face off when Argentina and Holland meet in the semi-finals on
Wednesday, according to AP.
In Brazil, Robben has been quick, Messi has been
quicksilver.
“We have
to cut the supply line to Messi,” Dutch defender Bruno Martins Indi said. The
Barcelona star led Argentina through the group stage with four goals. He has
also made 180 passes in his five matches so far.
Holland have shared the goal-scoring duties more
evenly — Robben and Robin van Persie each have three, Memphis Depay has two of
the team’s total of 12 — but the Bayern Munich winger’s scintillating sprints
with the ball have often been the highlights of Oranje matches.
“We know that we will play against one of the
best teams when it comes to counterattacks because of the speed of their men up
front,” Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano said. “So we have to take
precautions to not give them the possibility to counterattack, to always be
well positioned, to not lose balls unnecessarily in areas where there’s a lot
of risk.”
After scoring 10 times in group play, the Netherlands
have managed only two in its two knock-out matches and the Dutch will be hoping
captain Van Persie regains his touch in front of goal. He looked off the pace
and missed an easy chance near the end of regulation time in the quarterfinal
against Costa Rica.
The Netherlands will again be without their
powerful midfield controller Nigel de Jong, who has a torn groin muscle. A
possible replacement, Leroy Fer, is recovering from a hamstring injury and it
is not clear if he will be fit for Wednesday’s semifinal at the Itaquerao
Stadium.
Argentina will be without Real Madrid winger
Angel Di Maria, who is injured, but striker Sergio Aguero has been declared fit
after recovering from a similar problem. “He’s a good player, but we look at
the whole team, not one player,” Holland goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen said.
The two sides have a long World Cup history,
including one of the Netherlands’ most heart-breaking losses. “It will be
revenge if we win the World Cup,” Cillessen said. “But we have to wait for
that. It’s not a final. It’s a semi.”
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