Sampaoli: Messi limited because team doesn't gel with him
The Argentina coach took responsibility for the loss to Croatia
Jorge Sampaoli says Lionel Messi's not produced his best form for Argentina at the World Cup because his teammates are not on the same level as him.
Messi was quiet as Argentina were beaten 3-0 by Croatia on Thursday, leaving their hopes of reaching the next round of the competition in tatters.
"Leo is limited because the team doesn't gel ideally with him as it should," said Sampaoli, who added that he "would beg fans for their forgiveness -- I am responsible."
Argentina will need to win their final game against Nigeria and hope that Iceland don't win either of their final two matches.
With an early exit on the cards, Sampaoli was asked about the 40 million people back in Argentina he's let down so far: "I am just as dreamy-eyed as any fan and I am very hurt."
On Barcelona stat Messi, he added: "Messi is our captain, he leads the team and we quite simply couldn't pass to him to help him generate the situations he is used to.
"We worked to give him the ball but the opponent also worked hard to prevent him from getting the ball. We lost that battle.
"Some of the players didn't manage to play with my system, I probably didn't set up my team in the right way."
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