America semi-final rout of Paraguay but says his
job is to help get the best out of those around him
Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore says his main
role is to help get the best out of Angel Di Maria
and Lionel Messi .
The Paris Saint-Germain ace starred in his national
side’s 6-1 Copa America semi-final thrashing of
Paraguay on Tuesday, netting the second goal and
creating the third.
The 26-year-old has become a more permanent
fixture in the national team of late and was praised
by coach Gerardo Martino following his impressive
performance in Concepcion. And Pastore says he
is relishing his role as the side’s midfield
playmaker.
“I am playing here to make things easier for Leo
and for Di Maria,” Pastore told the Copa America
website.
“What I like most is setting up goals. When I give
a pass that ends up being a goal I enjoy it more
than anything else.
“Messi likes all sorts of passes, because whether
you give it to him on his chest, his head or his
feet, he always controls it well.
“He likes short passes a lot, so that he can play a
one-two. He does that a lot for his club and I have
seen it in training here. What he likes best is to
have players nearby so he can receive the ball
back.”
On Saturday Argentina go up against in-form hosts
Chile in the Copa America final, aiming to end a
22-year wait for a major title at senior level.
But Pastore says he won’t endure any sleepless
nights ahead of the big kick-off in Santiago.
“I sleep normally, as always. It's something that
always happened to me. Even though it's a final,
playing football is what I have done my whole life,”
he says.
“It would be an immense shame if this generation
won nothing… Not having won the World Cup,
which was incredible, upset me.
“Let's hope they can get some kind of revenge and
that we can lift this cup. Above and beyond the
happiness it will give me and my family, I will be
happy for my team-mates.”
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