I think they are the perfect opponent for France to find their mojo. Expecting a very comfortable win for France and a dominant performance.
Argentina NT
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Is there any chance that they'll play a narrow 5-2-3 type formation?
I don't know many of the players, but Otamendi, Mascherano, Rojo at CB, 2 defensive fullbacks, Banega and Lo Celso CM, Messi or Dybala AM, and Dybala or Messi partnering Aguero upfront. The only trouble is none of the front 3 are any good defensively and the flanks will be hit constantly- but at least the centre will be shut tight.
Is there any chance that they'll play a narrow 5-2-3 type formation?
I don't know many of the players, but Otamendi, Mascherano, Rojo at CB, 2 defensive fullbacks, Banega and Lo Celso CM, Messi or Dybala AM, and Dybala or Messi partnering Aguero upfront. The only trouble is none of the front 3 are any good defensively and the flanks will be hit constantly- but at least the centre will be shut tight.
Messi has never really played as a right winger. His strengthes are brought to best use when he drifts towards the center and he's always been doing that. That's why Alves was such a crucial part of that Guardiola-Barca. With his incredible physique he'd essentially play two positions roled into one (RW and RB) and to compensate if he got exposed, Pep effectively played a back three consisting of Pique, Puyol and Abidal when in possession. The false nine was implemented in order to give the team more balance without affecting Messi's freedoms and preventing him from playing centrally.
That's why it seemed to you that he played centrally against Croatia. He simply drifts inside all the time and it would be the same if Dybala played as a 10. They would just stand on each others feet. Asking Messi to stay out wide and provide width is simply limiting your best player (and possibly the best there's ever been) in favour of a worse version of him.
So either you play Dybala as a second striker and Messi as a 10 respectively vice versa or let Dybala play the right wing. And it is only logical to place Dybala there since Messi is still the much better player. It's Dybala who has to adjust. He definitely has the skillset to play there.
I have the exact different feeling. Think it can get ugly for Argentina personally. If you are bad, it is hard to cover it up this World Cup, see Germany
I saw improvements against Nigeria, the advantage France has is that they rested players, but as someone who followed past Argentina NT's this is when sometimes they step up, when they are seen as the underdogs and not as the big favourites, when usually their fans and media start being unbearable to listen. You can quote me Saturday.
QFS will be Argentina vs Uruguay.
Unfortunately this time I can't see us competing against Uruguay, we didn't even rested players and we barely have a functional team who links 3 passes together, the only thing they have is spirit, but when your opponent is Uruguay they have that and much more to show.France vs Portugal. If something in the middle, we have a draw
They have a very solid defence and they can play more than 1 system, we fecked up with that late penalty vs Iran.
No, look at his heat map against Croatia and nigeria. There is a clear difference so don't give me it seemed like to you bollocks.
Messi is a more versatile player who started off as a right winger, it's stupid to ask the player who has played less often in that position to adjust. You start messi at rw and get the two to swap.
Argentina is gonna beat France and Pogba is gonna get blamed for it. Watch this space.
Does nobody believe the football gods will make sure it'll be Portugal vs Argentina? 0-0, one of them misses a pen 
Th only good thing about that is Messi upfront. The midfield will be swamped by Kante and Pogba, the flanks will be exposed by Mbappe and whoever else they have, and Giroud can occupy both CBs.
Th only good thing about that is Messi upfront. The midfield will be swamped by Kante and Pogba, the flanks will be exposed by Mbappe and whoever else they have, and Giroud can occupy both CBs.
Thing about Portugal is they have the ability to win without playing well. All they have to do is defend well and keep the game close. You know if the game is tied and nearing the end all they need is free kick or half a chance for Ronaldo to put the game away. Proven recipe lol. That's precisely what Argentina are unable to do. I can't see this version of Argentina not conceding so they need multiple goals to win.
If Sampaoli called up Paredes and Ascacibar, I would give Argentina a very decent chance at beating France. Unfortunately Argentina’s current midfield is absolutely terrible. Mascherano and Enzo Perez are both finished at top level. France are going to have a field day.
Anu early news about lineup? I mean, everything seems pretty predictable, but what about upfront. Any chance for Kun to start?
Banega gives them balance and if Rojo maintains his form, they will be okay at the back. They just need their forwards to click and for Messi to work his magic.
French attack has by and large seemed crap in the tournament so far. I suppose if Pogba is arsed, they will trouble the Argentine defense. Otherwise, I wouldn't rule out a tame exit for France.
Argentina media was reporting yesterday Pavon was starting ahead of Higuain and Messi would play as false 9 like the old Barca glory days.
Think Sampaoli (Or Mascherano's) hunch is correct and they'll try to smother and frustrate France in central midfield, that is the key battle area really. Whether they have the quality to do that I doubt.
http://mundoalbiceleste.com/2018/06/29/argentina-train-round-of-16-pavon-higuain/
What happened to Biglia? He partnered Mascherano in 2014, right?
When did Messi last play as out and out front man for Argentina our of interest?
It will be interesting to see how it works, not sure if knock out game v France is best time to try it though.
I did think they should've done it during the qualifiers as he was the only one able to finish one-on-ones.
It will be interesting to see how it works, not sure if knock out game v France is best time to try it though.
I did think they should've done it during the qualifiers as he was the only one able to finish one-on-ones.
For Argentina don't know, for Barcelona he did it a lot of times. I can see Argentina winning this if France doesn't raise their level.
Yeah he did it at Barca loads of times under Pep. Good 5-6 years passed since then and he won't be the sort to press their back 4. Most amusing thing is playing him as central striker is exact way to get Dybala in the 11 but still he can't make it
The Dybala thing I don't know if that is based on Sampaoli convictions or if it has to do with Messi not liking to play with him. As strange it is the Icardi situation, but that is more understandable because they have Higuain or Aguero.Yeah he did it at Barca loads of times under Pep. Good 5-6 years passed since then and he won't be the sort to press their back 4. Most amusing thing is playing him as central striker is exact way to get Dybala in the 11 but still he can't make it
Messi and Dybala played together a few times in the qualifiers so very much a Sampaoli decision I think. Icardi exclusion a bit more complicated than that.
IMO they do need a central presence (not Messi) because they will be defending most of the match and need somebody big who can compete for the clearances. I still wish they would go for a 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2 with a striker and Messi behind him (free role).
Higuain starts after all?
Who's retiring then? Mascherano already is.
Mercado, Fazio, Otamendi, Banega, Biglia, Messi, Higuain, Di Maria, Aguero, Perez all will be 34-35 when next World cup kick offs.
I know many of those are rubbish but going to be huge overturn of players. Argentina squad for probably even Copa America next summer will be unrecognisable from this one.
Dybala might at least get a start.
Mercado, Fazio, Otamendi, Banega, Biglia, Messi, Higuain, Di Maria, Aguero, Perez all will be 34-35 when next World cup kick offs.
I know many of those are rubbish but going to be huge overturn of players. Argentina squad for probably even Copa America next summer will be unrecognisable from this one.
Dybala might at least get a start.
Delighted to see them go out. Their players are a bunch of whingy shithouses.
Argentina won't win a world cup anytime soon
Certainly not within the next 30 years imo.
Are they going into a dip? England beat them 3-0 in the u20 World Cup. Not sure who is coming through for them.
They are a shower of shit. But I have to think a semi decent manager could fashion something together with them. This tournament is on Sampaoli.
What a horrible team. Did Mercado get booked?
What a thoroughly embarrassing advert for Argentinian football they've been.
From quality to temperament they've been woeful from the first game.
From quality to temperament they've been woeful from the first game.
Shambles.
Not starting Aguero was a major mistake.
Still watchimg
How Argentina avoided a red card against both Croatia and France I'll never know. Shambolic referring
You have a potential attack of Dybala, Messi, aguero, higuain, icardi, benega, di Maria and your telling me you can’t put together an exciting attacking performance together.
That’s some shitehouse level management
That’s some shitehouse level management
I am a bit sad that third goal went in because it flatters them and maybe in time people will forget what a shambolic WC they had. From the actual football they played to the way they behaved when they realised they will lose.
And I love Messi, lovely assist, but it would be nice to see how much distance did he covered today. By walking.
And I love Messi, lovely assist, but it would be nice to see how much distance did he covered today. By walking.
The current squad looks poor and I don't think you can blame Sampaoli and Messi for this. It is not that they just lack quality players other than in attack, its more that they don't even have any good players! Rojo is their starting CB, Cabellero their GK, Masherano is well past it at 34.
What good youngster do they have coming through?
What good youngster do they have coming through?