FIFA World Cup 2018: Argentina vs. Iceland - June 16 [R]

Can't believe the WC is already here, very excited! I'm confident that the team will bring a good result and I'm sure Sampa won't let the team underestimate Iceland. I think Sampa will go with this lineup.

--------------------Caballero
Mercado--Otamendi---Rojo---Tagliafico
------------Mascherano----Lo Celso
Meza-----------Messi------------Di Maria
------------------Aguero

Let's bring the trophy home. Vamos!
Score prediction: 2-0 for Argentina (Messi, Aguero)

 

Pardon me for recycling my old meme.

 

I would prefer salvio instead of mercado. He offers a lot going forward and masch can slot in as the third defender for cover. Meza needs to dribble and penetrate because he will have space when the attention is on Messi. Aguero, Pavon and Dybala as subs if higuain starts.

I think we will score early and blow them out 3-0.

 

Get ready for the Iceland 4-4-2 formation (bus parking). Anything less than 3pts from this game will be catastrophic. Iceland's best chances will come from set-pieces and careful counters. We will most likely control 70% of possession, but will need to score early for easy 3pts.

Like I said, anything less than 3pts will be catastrophic. I hate to face Croatia without 3plts in our pocket

 

If in fact if this is the starting 11, then I think we'll be okay.

I am not exactly thrilled with Willy starting but he did have a very solid showing v the tanos. I am going to view that match v the gallegos as somewhat of an outlier. I don't blame him for that, I think the defense let him down and he was in no man's land. I would prefer Armani but Sampa has hinted that Willy will be the #1.

For the FB's. Finally, Nico belongs where he should be and that is in our starting 11. As I predicted years ago, I believe he has the makings of the future captain of the seleccion. As for Mercado, he hasn't had the greatest season's with Sevilla but whenever he has worn the shirt, he has given his all and played with dignity and respect.

The CB's. Otamendi has come leaps and bounds, and I know most people see him as a wild-man and who goes flying into tackles, which can accumulate cards but I think Pep has helped him since he has taken over at City. As for Rojo , I would prefer Fazio, since he is the better defender and has the size and physicality that can handle any player on any team but some say Rojo is better as a CB than as a FB. I don't know, I think he is crap but Sampaoli probably sees something in him in training. Or maybe, since Sampa did not bring enough CB's, this has come back to bite him in the ass, because there could've been a possibility that both Fazio and Otamendi could be suspended for the same match and he wants to preserve Fazio.

Masche-Lo Celso partnership. I think Masche can help Gio a lot by teaching him the arts of defending. Masche is not what he was 4 years ago, hell, he is not what he was 2 years ago but I trust him over Biglia who provides us nothing. Lo Celso is a very gifted passer, he has the vision that could help connect with our attacking line. Masche is a good passer as well. My biggest concern will be who will replace one of these players if they are suspended. Imagine starting Biglia and Banega? .

Meza- I believe Iceland will be a test for him and Sampa will watch him with a close eye. I believe he is a talented player who has trickery and will lure defenders and can open up space. His decision needs to be a bit crisper, but again we will see how does v Iceland and then I believe Sampa will decide if he will keep him there and look elsewhere.

ADM- The player who on his day can be one of the best in the world. He never tires and will surely cause defenses problems. But he can be far and away one of the most frustrating players we have. The epitome of a headless chicken. But, I am going to be a fool to say this, I believe he will stay healthy throughout the tournament.

Messi and Kun. These two are close friends and will be roommates once again. Kun has talked about how great his knee feels and is no longer playing in pain. It was just reported as early as last week he still wasn't match-fit but he probably will get close. He hasn't played a match in two months, thus he isn't coming off a long season. Messi and Kun do click well and Kun is much better in front of goal than Fatso. And I don't have to say much about Messi.

I do predict a 3-0 victory, two from Kun and one from Messi. Or hell, I will say we get a goal from a set piece from Otamendi.

 

Biglia and Mascherano will start and we will waste a half, calling it now. Playing Higuaín as starter would be the icing on the cake.

 

If we had Rojo of 16-17, I would have been okish. He had a decent run with Man Utd at CB during that time, but even back then he had one reckless tackle per match. Like you, I'm hoping he plays Fazio instead of Rojo. However with the yellow card accumulation rule, I would play Rojo during the group stage (I think he should be good enough) and use Fazio in the knock out stage if we get there. Or we'll just have to hope Rojo gets in form during the group stages.

The DM is my main concern. I agree that Masche is a good passer, but only when he has space and time with the ball. Both Biglia and Masche aren't good when they receive the ball facing their own goal and can't turn when they are pressed as we saw against Spain. Still, of the squad, Masche is our best DM and he really needs to be in form to even have the chance of winning the damn thing. Maybe Lo Celso is good when being pressed? I think Messi will have to go deep often to help the team get out of the press. After all these years, I'm still having a hard time understanding what Biglia offers or is even good at.

 

LOLOL

 

But Iceland proof they're still better than another land called England. They beat them at major tournament last time around.

 

Sometimes its hard to forget the 2002 disaster where we had most of ball possession in all 3 games but for whatever reason we struggle to score. Sweden and England both scored against Argentina from deadball.

 

You're missing alot...



He offers something special in shootout as always

 

Lets start our Ride together , Hope we can reach our destination with out much drama

 

XI confirmed apparently in today's training: Caballero; Salvio, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Mascherano, Biglia; Meza, Messi, Di maria; Agüero.

 

Sampaoli needs to get sacked after this WC if he plays a CM combo of Mascherano and Biglia. I’m lost for words.

 

I predict it will last one half. When the coach sees we aren't cheating sh1t he'll have to change it. Like the bs of Sabella against Bosnia.

 

3-1 Aguero scores, Messi scores, and the 3rd Arg goals comes from someone unexpected, like LoCelso or a defender. Iceland scores on set pieces at the end of the game.

 

Hopefully, the Biglia-Masche partnership is only a rumor and they won't start. It really is upsetting to hear such a thing or even be tried out.

 

It is not a rumor, almost all journalists say it.

Let's not be too upset, it could have been worse (with Higuaín starting).

 

Every 24 hours, or even now 12 hours, since we are getting closer, it changes. I’ll wait till I see the official starting lineup.

 

My prediction : 3-1 for Argentina

2 Messi and 1 Aguero and then giving up one clumsy goal as we usually does once or twice in major tournament. Rojo maybe giving away a stupid penalty if he play.

 

...and then having Rojo alongside those two all at once. We will get killed like in 82 when we had too many same midfielders and defenders as 4 years earlier . Italy in 2010 & Spain in 2014 are another great example. Experience player is needed but only the one with great quality (skill and footballing brain), Biglia and Rojo has none of the that attributes.