By sportswriter Michael Place
BRONNITSY, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Midfielder Javier Mascherano has denied reports of a rift between Argentina's players and coach Jorge Sampaoli as the two-time world champions struggle to avoid early elimination from the World Cup in Russia.
The Albiceleste drew 1-1 with Iceland in their first game before crumbling to a 3-0 loss to Croatia on Thursday. To advance to the round of 16, the South American side must win their final group match against Nigeria in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday and hope that Iceland do not beat Croatia by a margin that leaves the Nordic team with a superior goal difference.
"The relationship with the coach is totally normal," Mascherano told a press conference at the team's training base on Sunday. "When we see a problem, we raise it, we are not hypocrites."
According to media reports in Argentina, senior Albiceleste players have expressed concerns to Argentine Football Association officials about Sampaoli's team selection and tactics.
After the match against Croatia, forward Sergio Aguero told reporters that "he [Sampaoli] can say what he wants" after being told of the coach's criticism of the players.
"The best coaches in the world also ask the players for their opinion, because the player is the one who ends up making the decisions," Mascherano said. "The coach gives you the tools, but you decide which is the best option [on the pitch], and for that to occur you have to be comfortable."
Mascherano insisted that five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who struggled to make an impact against Croatia and missed a penalty against Iceland, was "fine".
And he said the team benefited from a clear-the-air meeting between players and coaching staff following the loss to Croatia.
"We are the current vice champions [runners up at the last World Cup] and at some point we have to show that. I think we'll do that by putting things right, playing as a team and saying what we think. We can hide our feelings. We need certainty that the eleven that go out onto the pitch have a clear idea."
