Pre-match: 2018 WCQ: Colombia vs. Argentina (San Juan, Argentina)

Pekerman know's this Argentina team like the back of his hand. He is probably breaking down game film as I type this and is listening to Argentine radio as to what their deficiencies are tactically.

I think we get a positive result because all the pressure is on them. (But it is not going to be easy at all.)

 

We've played Argentina like 8 times (not really sure about it) since he's the manager, and we´ve never won a single game, I just don't see this changing, and right now, and by the way we're playing, I think it will be impossible.

 

We got a result in Argentina and we also officially tied them in the Copa America 2015.
That I think can happen again.

 

And there are millions of Argentinos who are saying "by the way we are playing it will be impossible to beat Colombia."

It works both ways my friend.

 

Yo al menos le estoy viendo una esterilidad a este equipo desde la copa américa que no le veía desde Lara en el 2010, puede que este exagerando, pero cuando veo a los jugadores llegar cerca del área no veo peligro alguno.

 

Which is why I see this being a 0-0 type of game. Neither team wants to lose in Argentina on Tuesday that is for sure.

 

Because we are THE BEST at rising 'muertos' --and Argentina is at the bottom.

Argentina has come to us with HUGE issues in so many games, I stopped counting....but our boys choke. With this past formation played and with no cohesion in the middle it will be an MVP game for our defenders. Time to change strategy.

 

I did not say it was going to be easy. I think it will be a hard fought game we hold on to. Especially since Pekerman has gotten draws in this situation before.

 

I would be happy with this line-up

Arias ---Murillo --D. Sanchez --Fabra

-----Daniel Torres --Abel---Sanchez--------

Cuadrado ------James ------Muriel

---------------Falcao

I think with Fabra, we all recognize that he's offense minded and with Davinson's speed and
with the 3 DFM we can have balance in the midfield/back if he or Arias attack on the wings.
I don't like Fabra but I surely have not seen the best of Diaz last couple outings.

Argentina's wingbacks constantly attack and we have to frustrate Mascherano as he's their pillar. Messi
you can't stop. Also, I think DTorres needs to be back on that line-up for his fight in this type of game.
We basically have to slow down their attack while having quick wingers (Muriel + C4) use their speed to
find space.

 

Seria excelente... si pudieramos jugar con 12.

 

LOL...Ok I give up.... Out Carlos Sanchez.

Arias ---Murillo --D. Sanchez --Fabra

-----Daniel Torres --Abel---

Cuadrado ------James ------Muriel

---------------Falcao

 

Great line up but assume you forgot Ospina

 

I figure we all know he's not replaceable

 

Confirmado que Mina no juega contra Argentina. Murillo x 2 casi confirmado. No creo que se la juegue con Davinson.

 

Oscar Murillo esta suspendido. Me imagino que va ser Jeison y Davinson la dupla central.

 

Ayyy marica, le toco debutar a Davinson. jaja. Ojala le vaya bien.

 

I'd probably play Torres and Sanchez away to Argentina and we can't play Fabra down the left. Do you really want to see Messi isolating 1v1 agasint Fabra? That will be a disaster.

We didn't have a good game last time out, but I'd stick with Diaz, he's a much better defender then Fabra and we're going to need that going against the best player in the world.

 

Muriel Bacca(Falcao)
James Cuadrado
Torres Aguilar
Balanta Mina(Murillo) Murillo Arias
Ospina

all though baal said it perfectly...

 

Not the biggest Fabra fan but no one, no ONE, is stopping Messi 1 v 1. My point in having Fabra was just to give the team a bit more of an offensive output in the wings. Let's be honest, Diaz has been stinking it up the last few matches.

 

With the likely debut of Sanchez and the return of not-in-great-form Murillo, I think it's a certainty we'll end up seeing a midfield clogged with CMs.

Even against this Argentina, I don't know if Colombia can hold on to the draw long enough to the point where Pekerman will try to steal a victory. Argentina is going to have many set pieces if we play that way, and those are our major weakness.

 

Fabra is the worst defender we have on the team. I'd be shocked if Pekerman started him against Messi. Argentina have looked pretty bad lately, but Messi is the guy they run everything through. If we can contain and minimize his enfluence they will get frustrated and start to fall apart, its already been happening since the Copa final. We go there and bide our time and try to hold the game as long as possible and pick up a goal on the counter, but our game needs to be prioritized to stop Messi and then let Argentina panick and fall apart and make the game easier for us. A tie is a good result here vs a direct rival, its as much about limiting their points as it is about gaining in this game.

 

we can't contain him. What part of that is not clear. How many matches have you seen vs Messi where we 'contain' his play? It can't be done. He's a phenom. We should focus on our game. This is not to say that we just let huge spaces happen in MF but we have to stop any outlet pass. Fabra is not a great defender but on offense he does have a lot of pace. He's had a decent season with Boca which is not an easy team to break thru or just ask Seba.