FIFA World Cup 2018: Argentina vs. Croatia - June 21 [R]

Half time thoughts:

Sub Lo Celso or Banega for Biglia
Sub on Dybala later if still trailing

 

I'm probably going to see Croatia vs Nigeria. Might as well be prepared of what we will be facing.

 

I’d be very surprised if we even get a point in this one. I’ve already given up this WC to be honest. After todays showing, looking clueless after a months training camp, it won’t be any noticeable difference for this game - no matter what team we line up with. Only hope really is that Croatia is even worse but I can’t see that being possible.

 

Sampa is expecting a different result while using same core of players. Good luck to him.

Di Maria, Masche, Rojo, Biglia probably will start again while Higuain & Banega will make cameo appearence. Its still 2014 afterall.

 

If I was coach I would bring the players in tomorrow after training.

Show them a picture of a man trying to lift a huge weight and failing under the pressure.

Then show them a group of men lifting the same weight and doing it successfully.

Everyone on this team has to take responsibility. Not just take the easy option ie pass to Messi, pass to Messi. Help. I have the ball. Pass to Messi. What do I do ? Pass to Messi. Just ignore the fact he may have two or three players on him.

Use your brains. What do you do ? Look for the space vacated by those marking Messi. Run into it. Pass into it. Remember who you are as players and how you normally play. Believe in your own abilities.

Stop deferring to Messi all the time. It does not actually help him but hurts him. And movement. For the love of god move off the ball. Show for it and provide options and move the ball with pace.

What has happened to these drills ?

I might go with:
-------------------------------Armani---------------------------------
Ansaldi--------Otamendi--------Fazio--------Tagliafico------
-------------------------Mascherano------------------------------
------Lo Celso-----------------------------Perez---------------
------------Messi------------------------Pavon-------------------
-----------------------------Aguero-----------------------------------

 

i see 2002 is coming

 

Yes, off ball Movement instead standing still like a statue! Im amazed that only few our players are willing to sprint. When we had the ball, everyone looked 99% static and only run at walking pace... and this is a WC!

Id also start Perez & Pavon , no more Biglia & Di Maria.

Kun is the best player today, scored and won a penalty. Hopefully he can maintain his form & fitness.

 

Lets try to be a bit more calm. As I stated in the Iceland thread, this match mirrored the game v Iran four years ago, the only difference was that Messi rescued us in the dying seconds. Our defense was all over the place, the attack was terrible, goal keeping was shaky. So, lets wait and see what occurs in the coming days.

 

Watching the Nigeria-Croatia game, we have to be more mobile in midfield in both games. There is no point starting both Biglia and Masche as they don't even provide enough defensive cover, so better to outscore the opponent. Croatia's left side looks stronger compared to their right, with Perisic providing great crosses. I would pick this XI

---------------------Armani
Salvio--Otamendi---Fazio--Tagliafico
------------Masche------Lo Celso
Enzo----------Messi----------Pavon
-------------------Kun

Croatia's midfield is the key, which is why I think Enzo's energy is the key as I think he can provide extra defensive cover for Salvio and Messi (we know Messi is not going to pressure Rakitic, their deepest midfielder) Plus he and Messi can switch position well so that Messi can drift to the right wing. I'm not sure how fit Enzo is especially since he came back to the team recently, but if he is fit to start, I would play him. Hit them with pace and directness. This game will be really hard

 

Croatia only allowed 4 goals in 10 games. They’ll be tough to crack.

 

Indeed, this is the type of game where, for me, it's really 50-50. A draw in this game wouldn't be a bad result for me.

 

I believe Serbia conceided just 1 goal in 2006 qualifier and topped Spain... they sure as hell found away to let Argentina scored countless goal

Messi terribly needs his first goal in this WC, otherwise he'd keep performing like he did against Iceland.

 

Croatia has a very good keeper and their defense will test our forwards. I don't believe they'll park the bus, Croatia wants to have possession of the ball, so I believe our players will press their players but our midfield and defense will be needed to be on their toes.

It will be a high-pressure game, and three points will be crucial. But, the last time we were in a situation like this, we survived, we came back from 0-1 in Quito and won the game. We will need another performance like this. And yes, Messi will need to get a goal, and if he does, I believe the goals will flow.

The game will be in 5 days, we will play Thursday, and Nigeria-Iceland will play Friday, so both teams will know what they have to do to put them in position to finish in the top 2. But the good news is, we'll get an additional day of rest, as our third game will be following Tuesday.

 

If we beat Croatia, then we will top the group if Iceland couldnt beat Nigeria. If they win then it would be depend on the our goal margin.

 

Its a good thing that we will face Croatia next. If its Nigeria, then Croatia might have secured second round ticket by beating Iceland. Things can be really complicated if we only draw Croatia and Nigeria beat Iceland. That would means Nigeria (3 points) and Croatia (4 points) topping the group before the last group matches.

However, since Nigeria already had a lost , we can still qualify if we draw Croatia but only if we beat Nigeria in last game. A draw against Croatia means its a knockout round game against Nigeria.

 

I believe that Messi will have a better game vs Croatia. I thought he was a bit unlucky vs Iceland where two of shots could have been a goal excluding the penalty. Sampa really has to get the player selection in defense and midfield correctly. And for the sake of our good health, I'm really really hoping we win. I think I'll be sick for the next few days if we lose to Croatia haha

 

http://www.milanmania.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=809&pid=133506#pid133506

 

If we lose to Croatia, we can get eliminated even if we win the next game I think. Depend on other matches result off course, but you never want to rely on that.

Messi clearly having an ultra big preasure and it shows on his face right after Iceland scored the equalizer. Once he get his first goal, his confidence will be on the next level. Again, he shouldnt take penalty, Aguero should. Even if Aguero miss, it wont add an even bigger preasure on Messi.


One good thing from the first game is that Kun looks sharp and he now had scored in 4 consecutive games for Argentina . The fact that he also won that penalty means, there shouldnt be a chance for Higuain to even start.

 

I’ve been wondering. Messi had 2 and sometimes 3 players on him at all times. Why didn’t Sampaoli use him as a decoy to open them up?

 

Messi can still be threatening alot more if he stays closer to the goal, this is why Lanzini injury really a huge blow for us. Now we have to rely on Masche's passing and Messi always ended up in midfield all over again since Biglia offers nothing in midfield other than making a mistake that leds into Iceland goal.

Also, something needs to be done with the defensive department. I'd drop Rojo and started Fazio.

Pavon has proven to be alot more effective than Di Maria against bunkering opponents. He should have won us a penalty which was not given.

 

From Maradona instagram

"I started la World Cup with a loss, not a tie. It was in our first game in Italy '90. And despite the injuries, despite everything, we reached the final, thanks to Goyco and the sacrifice of all the boys. Let's keep supporting the team. LET'S GO ARGENTINA!!!"

 

Samp said that he is gonna bring on Dybala when the time is right. Anybody know what even means?