‘It won’t be easy for Argentina either’: Egypt Coach Hassan ahead of Messi clash

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has made it clear his side will not be intimidated by defending champions Argentina or Lionel Messi when the two teams meet in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday.

While acknowledging Argentina’s status as favourites, Hassan said Egypt has arrived at the knockout stage believing they can script history and insisted his players must focus on their own strengths rather than the reputation of their opponents.

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“If we ran a poll right now about who would win tomorrow, we all know the majority would favour them because we’re facing one of the game’s giants in Argentina,” Hassan said, as quoted by FIFA.

“But in the Egypt camp, we have a different conviction, and we’d answer that poll differently. Tomorrow’s match won’t be easy for us, but it won’t be easy for them either. We have enormous respect for Argentina, but we have a goal, and we intend to achieve it.”

Egypt head into the clash unbeaten in four matches at the tournament, and Hassan believes that momentum has prepared his players for the biggest challenge of their campaign.

“We’re ready for the match – and how could we not be? We’re playing in the Round of 16 at the World Cup against Argentina, the world champions, and against legendary players like Lionel Messi. So yes, we respect Argentina, but we fear no one because you suffer if you spend too much time thinking about the opposition,” he said.

The former striker revealed that since taking charge of the national team, he has consistently encouraged his players to trust their own football rather than become overwhelmed by the stature of rival teams.

“Since taking charge of Egypt, I’ve tried to get the players to focus on themselves, on their style of play, and how they impose it on the pitch. We’ve worked on doing things our way without worrying about a country’s reputation or the names on the back of their shirts,” Hassan added.

Drawing on Egypt’s recent friendly against Brazil, Hassan said the approach would remain the same against Argentina.

“We respected them enormously, but we didn’t overthink it. That’s why we’ll carry on with our way of doing things.”

The 58-year-old also underlined the significance of the occasion, saying Egypt are carrying the hopes of supporters across Africa and the Arab world as they bid to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

“We have a prime objective in this match, one shared not only by the Egyptian supporters but by all Arab and African people because we’re representing them all here. We have to show the development of Egyptian football out there on the pitch, both tactically and in terms of character, as well as our determination to reach the next round,” he said.

Calling the FIFA World Cup the pinnacle of football, Hassan urged his squad to embrace the opportunity.

“We’re at the World Cup, and chances like this don’t come around often for players or for coaches. We have to seize this opportunity to shine and show everyone what we’re made of.”

Seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt have never advanced beyond this stage of the World Cup, but Hassan believes the current generation has a chance to change history.

“African and Arab football has enormous potential, but we’ve been slow to show it, so now we’re trying to make up for that. We want to live up to our supporters’ expectations,” he said.