2022 World Cup Qatar: Group C - Argentina vs. Mexico

Dibu
Montiel - Otamendi - Lisandro - Acuña
Di Maria - De Paul - Enzo - Maca or Thiago
Messi - Lautaro

That's it, don't need to change everything, just start the players in better form.

 

Btw this is the team we played in the last friendly against Mexico:

Marchesin
Montiel Martinez Rojo Tagliafico
De Paul Paredes Palacios
Mac Allister Lautaro Acuña

Maybe we could just try something similar with a few changes.

 

So, the current standings are

Saudia Arabia- 3points
Poland- 1 Point
Mexico- 1 Point
Argentina- A Big Fat Zero.

So, what needs to happen for us to move forward(Finishing first).

The selección needs to defeat Mexico. And Poland to defeat the Saudis.

If this occurs. The standings would look like this after round 2.

Poland- 4
Saudia Arabia-3
Argentina-3
Mexico-1
But Argentina could leapfrog over KSA if Poland beats KSA by more than 2 goals(I will discuss this a bit later).


But if the Saudis win alongside an Argentina win.

Saudi Arabia 6
Argentina-3
Poland-1
Mexico-1

If it is a draw between the Saudis and Poles.
KSA- 4
Argentina-3
Poland-2
Mexico-1

So, it is impossible for us to be first after two rounds. Perhaps the most favorable for us is the last option(Where the Poles and Saudis draw).

Round 3-

The best case possible.
Argentina defeats Poland. And KSA and Mexico play to a draw.
Argentina-6
KSA-5
Poland-3
Mexico 2

However, this is not the only way we can finish first(I think).

Argentina beats Poland
Mexico beats KSA

Argentina 6 Points
Mexico 4 points
KSA- 4 Points
Poland- 2Points


But again if we go back to round two and if Poland beats KSA and if we manage to beat Mexico.
It will be

Poland 4 Points
Argentina- 3 Points- Where we beat Mexico by more than a single goal.
KSA-3 Points
Mexico 2.

So, note, the first tiebreaker is not H2H, it is GD. The second is the amount of goals scored. The third is H2H.

Now, we we would have go in the last match having to beat Poland.


So, there are plenty of options where we could finish first, even if we lost our first match. We just need to win and as others have pointed out, if we cannot manage to beat Mexico and Poland, we do not deserve to progress.

 

The worst scenario ...Saudi win all games.

In that scenario I'd love to play them in final.

 

So, there are suggestions that Scaloni could tinker a bit with the lineup. Montiel could replace Molina. Mac and Enzo are options for Paredes and Papu. Lisandro for Cuti.
Nothing is guaranteed but Papu’s ass should be done. I do not think Paredes gets dropped but Mac will likely replace Papu. He will play more of an attacking role. He’s in form for club and that’s what we all want, right? Players in form? But after today’s debacle,’ I’d be perfectly fine with Paredes getting benched. Let Mac play his role and push Enzo up more. Paredes come on and help close out a match.


Also, I’m glad Messi has spoken up and I’m sure he’s rallied the team as he did in the CA. We need to come together and play with passion.

 

My lineup (433)

Julian---Lautaro---Messi
-----Enzo------De Paul
----Paredes/MacAllister
Acuna--Lisa--Ota--Molina

Sub in the likes of Di Maria, Dybala and Palacios

 

This should gives us alot more balance in midfield than having 2 attacking wingers with Messi played as midfielder.

 

We need some energy and legs in midfield so Enzo should start against Mexico imho.

 

I watched the game again this morning. . . I am masochist, I guess. But I came back with the very obvious conclusion that DiMaria and Papu should be our "super-subs" - roles that both of them could be amazing at.

I don't get too much into the machinations of how we could qualify. To me its simple, win both games. Its Mexico and Poland. Teams that if you are title contending team with your back to the wall, you win. So, win both games.

 

Finally I could see Sampa's whiteboard during WC 2018.

 

This is why I don't go down the rabbit hole of the weird machinations of how we can qualify. At a certain point you began to feel like Charley Day in the smoked-filled mail room looking at the Beautiful Mind collage.

"Pepe Silvia, Pepe Silvia"

 

Papu being a super-sub? More like sub-par-sub. AmiRite?! You’re welcome. You can use this term in the future.

 

Rumors: there will be between 3 and 5 changes. All the journalists in Qatar seem to agree on this info.

Montiel or Molina
Lisandro or Romero
Acuña or Tagliafico
Paredes or Mac Allister
Enzo or Papu

IMO the one that leaves the team for sure is Papu, from there... we will see who else does.

 

Yes, that is my prediction as well. I think at the end Scaloni will leave Romero and Paredes in the team (provided they are fit) as to give them a "last chance" but the other 3 are necessary.

 

Exactly. Also play, Palacios, Armani, Julian, Pazzella, and Guido, right, Loco?

 

I personally do not think there is a “last chance” since the last game was their last chance. Cuti needs to be honest here, and tell the staff that he does not yet feel 100% fit. We do not ever see CB’s subbed out unless they are some yellow card or pick up an injury. So, something was definitely up with Cuti. He didn’t play with that intensity. I think Otamendi was carrying him and more times than not it is the other way around. I was beyond disappointed in Cuti for yesterday’s show. He looked like a shadow of himself.

As for Paredes, again, a disappointment. I’d rather go with Mac and Enzo. I do not think Paredes gets dropped though. So, I think Enzo misses the starting 11 and Mac Allister replaces Papu. Maybe he uses Enzo in the place of Papu. I do not know but yes, there needs to be a major overhaul.

Dybala better get some serious minutes and I do not mean when it is 1-1 in the 82nd minute.

 

Love the IASIP reference

 

Maybe all? I would like Lisandro over Cuti (i love Cuti, but lets be honest, he is not 100% fit) and Enzo over Papu. Also Huevo over Taglia. And Mc Allister might be able to help in the midfield.

 

I said what I think Scaloni will do, not what I would do.

 

Right. And I’m saying what I think Scaloni will do. Scaloni is no-nonsense and there really is not a second chance with him. You’re normally out with a bad showing or mistake. And you keep your spot if you play well. Look at Foyth who missed the CA for his error v Colombia. Also Dibu who took Armani’s spot because of Covid and never relinquished it.