“You need to really maintain them and make sure you meet all the criteria before you let them go and express themselves fully,” Marsch said.
Marsch stated that protecting Davies' long-term professional health remained the priority throughout the internal return-to-play process.
“For me to go tell our best player, and a guy that is a huge piece of everything that we do, that we have to wait, was also painful,” Marsch said.
The manager added that the final preparation plan succeeded in establishing a strong foundation for the player's physical and mental readiness.
“What I told him is that I want him to go on the field and be free,” Marsch said.
Marsch reiterated that Canada Soccer and Bayern Munich worked collaboratively with open communication regarding the recovery timeline.
“We've worked together for what we think is best for Alphonso,” Marsch said.
He highlighted Davies' explosive transitional qualities and overall footballing capabilities.
“He is a great asset for us, because he is an incredible talent. He is very explosive in transitional moments.
He is also a good soccer player,” Marsch said.
Marsch Praises South Africa's Intensity
Marsch concluded his pre-match analysis by praising the resilience and intensity of the upcoming opposition.
“We're expecting South Africa to be very intensive, to have a fast start, to be excited and spirited for this match,” Marsch said.
The coach acknowledged that South Africa adapted effectively throughout the group phase to earn its progression.
“[South Africa] stayed strong in the tournament and found a way to get better as they've gone on,” Marsch said.
