Operation: Messi for Bolivia

Coach Gustavo Quinteros says closing down Lionel Messi is key for Bolivia in Friday’s CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying clash with Argentina.

Bolivia are pointless and lie bottom of the standings for in the race to Brazil in 2014, starting their campaign with defeats against Uruguay and Colombia.

As Bolivia prepare to visit Buenos Aires’ Monumental to face Argentina, Quinteros said his charges should not be written off before the game – though he knows a solid defensive effort is vital.

“It is always a danger if you attack Argentina too much, if you give too much space to (Gonzalo) Higuain, Messi, (Sergio) Aguero of course you are going to risk more than if you play a tighter game, closing the spaces and not giving up chances,” the Argentine Quinteros told La Red on Wednesday.

“If the minutes go by and they still have not hurt you, Argentina are going to come out more desperate, risking more and that is when you can take advantage.”

Quinteros singled out Messi as the biggest danger to his side’s chances, and urged Bolivia to control the Barcelona star.

“We have to control Messi wherever he goes, without having to rely on a man-marker. The key is putting on him solid, firm, sticky marking, without bad intentions to not leave him the spaces he enjoys in Europe,” he said.

“When he has time on the ball it is very difficult to control him. You have to be close all the time.”