Palermo saves Maradona
Diego Maradona, the coach of the Argentine national team, thanked Martin Palermo and his side for a heroic last-gasp victory over Peru that keeps them in the running for a World Cup place.
“Go out and finish this game as you have so many times,” Maradona admitted that he asked Palermo when he sent him onto the field in the second half.
“Afterwards a miracle from Saint Palermo occurred that has given us one more life to qualify [for the World Cup],” added Maradona.
Palermo handed Argentina an incredible 2-1 victory in second half injury-time. Just moments earlier Peru had drawn level.
“The bearded man [God] came to visit the stadium of River,” stated Maradona after Argentina’s crucial win, which moved them into fourth-place of the South American World Cup qualifiers, which means, at the moment they are on course for a place in South Africa.
Maradona also spoke about the performances of his players, including Lionel Messi, who had another disappointing game.
“I’m not preoccupied by the form of Lio [Messi] at all. It reminded me of when I played at these fields with the wind and the rain and I couldn’t touch the ball. I understand Lio, I will continue putting him on. But putting Palermo and [Gonzalo] Higuain on together, no, it will be one of the two. It will only be Palermo and Higuain together if we need to.”
Finally, Maradona affirmed that Los Albicelestes will be “playing for our lives in Uruguay to qualify.” A victory will send Argentina directly to the World Cup.
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