Argentina Coach Blames Pitch For Colombia Defeat

By Max Wise

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has blamed the state of the Arena Fonte Nova pitch for their 2-0 defeat to Colombia in the Copa America on Saturday.

Despite boasting the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero in their ranks, the Albiceleste fell to two second half goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata.

For large portions of the game, Argentina were the better side and looked the likelier side to take the lead but were stunned by substitute Martinez’s 71st minute opener.

Scaloni, speaking to reporters after the game, lamented the state of the pitch as he believes it played a part in Argentina’s inability to win the game.

"I think it was a shame the condition of the pitch, considering this is just the first game here," he told a news conference.

"I don't want to know how this pitch would be after two or three games. This could've been a lot better for a first game, for these kinds of players.

"I think it is a shame."

“I think they [Colombia] are a good team. They are really focused on what matters," he added.

"The most important thing is I think we faced them well, they were better at some times, sometimes we were better.

"But those are just cycles within the game and we need to adapt to them. We were good, even with that goal from them on the counter-attack, especially in the second half."

The Argentines are aiming to reach a third straight Copa America final, and are looking to go one step further after losing to Chile on penalties in both the 2015 and 2016 finals.

Argentina take on Paraguay in their next game on Thursday.