PRE-GAME QUOTES: CanMNT ponder tactics vs. physicality as Peru complain of 'excessive force'
If the rest of the footballing world is allowed to read way too much into a Canadian manager's quotes during tournaments, then today, CanMNT fans? We get to do it too.
Enter Peru gaffer Jorge Fossati, who had some choice words to describe Canada’s intense style of play ahead of their 2024 Copa America Group A clash on Tuesday evening:
“If we have to use our fists, then we’ll use our fists.”
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) June 24, 2024
Peru national team head coach Jorge Fossati on Canada’s aggressive style 🗣👀
▶️ Watch 𝙑𝘼𝙈𝙊𝙎! Presented by @Degree, Ep. 6 on OS YouTube#CanMNT pic.twitter.com/Jh3gYXd1u9
A thin line between strength and violence? How delightfully... vague.
Though Canada and Argentina drew two bookings a piece in that Copa America opener, the Canadian centre-back pair was undeniably quick to impose themselves into the tournament's narrative.
Perhaps Fossati is referring to Messi’s injury scare after Moise Bombito's firm but fairly-won challenge... or maybe he saw a few of these finger waving photos circulating on social media:
Argentina 0-0 Canada
— Lilian Chan (@bestgug) June 21, 2024
Canada drawing fouls
This game is getting a bit physical and chippy in the first half here.
Messi forces blocked shot
Alphonso Davies continues to cause problems for Argentina
Emiliano Martínez with a MASSIVE SAVE for Argentina pic.twitter.com/emeE7HE3m5
Or maybe it’s all petty mind games that Canadian soccer fans shouldn't even pay attention to – even if Fossati did make a pretty explicit half-threat about using fists in a footballing match. You'd be forgiven if this all reads like half-committed shadow boxing, which may have some immeasurable effect on someone’s immeasurable psyche – shadow boxing, mind you, that Canada head coach Jesse Marsch will not shy away from, either.
Thanks to Joshua Kloke of The Athletic, we know exactly what Marsch had to say about this angle: "I don't think anyone in the team will expect anything less but total commitment from the Peruvian side and a game that will be very physical. We want to still understand that but stay true to what we're trying to develop and have discipline in the way we play so that we can find a way to gain an edge."
Let's talk actual football, shall we?
On the tactical side of things, Marsch is not making any commitments to the CanMNT's starting XI as is.
"We have to get the most out of every experience that we have together and include as many players in the process as we possibly can so we can identify exactly which players we need to continue to invest in for the future, " he said. "Any change that we make would always be based ont hat balance: on evaluating the whole group but addressing eac moment we're in so that we give ourselves the best chance to be successful."
Tellingly, he did not appear to mention any names down this line of questioning. Between the Netherlands-France friendles, and the Argentina game, Marsch only made the one change - that was St. Clair coming out for Crepeau. It remains to be seen whether this constitutes even more mind games! Speaking of which...
Jesse Marsch is all of us in Kansas City right now in his press conference ahead of #CanMNT-Peru: “Is it this hot in Lima right now?” pic.twitter.com/VUQ2vvL8iq
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) June 24, 2024
Which I choose to interpret as a subtle little nod to neither team is playing at home. CONMEBOL sides are visitors in their own tournament, and I can't imagine they like it much, which means we should absolutely lean into it. The crowd will be on Peru's side, but... they're not in Kansas anymore.
Oh... well I guess we literally are. Fancy that.
Catch OneSoccer's full coverage of CanMNT vs. Peru on VAMOS! Presented by Degree, beginning with our daytime preview at 1PM ET, followed by our LIVE PRE-MATCH AND 90-MINUTE WATCHALONG and our LIVE Q&A POST-GAME SHOW, all on the OneSoccer YouTube channel.
