Lionel Messi doesn’t have many weaknesses, but Houson Dynamo will hope to have found one ahead of the US Open Cup final.
A major trophy will be up for grabs this Wednesday in Florida when two MLS rivals go head-to-head. Messi’s participation in that match remains in doubt as he continues to battle an injury, but the Argentine icon is expected to feature for the home side if he is close to his best form for the match.
Erik Sviatchenko will be among those accused of trying to contain Messi, and the Ukrainian-born Danish defender is aware of how difficult it will be to mark the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. he said: “If you can keep him off the goal during the match, because sometimes Messi in the role he has now also moves away from the goal to get the goal, but of course that won’t be possible for 90 minutes. He will appear, he will appear in spaces where he will go into dangerous places, to help or to shoot on goal. It is very difficult to see where the weak points are. You can lose the game in a second. He can take advantage of the slightest mistake or lack of knowledge of the equipment.”
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Sviatchenko has played against Messi before (in Champions League matches between Celtic and Barcelona) and does not have the happiest memories of those encounters. He added: “I wouldn’t say I had the best experience. The first match we played with Celtic against Messi and Barcelona, we lost 7-0!” The Scottish giants lost a second game against Barca 2-0, with Sviatchenko shown a yellow card.
Sviatchenko went on to say that Houston will have to be ‘very compact’ in dealing with Messi in midweek, with the greatest player of all time already inspiring Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup victory during his short time in the United States.
Source: Goal