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

Didn't he get moved to CB at ManU because he was terrible at LB? Think he has been played as a CB for over a year and he was doing decent before his injury

 

How is Acuna? I was hoping Lo Celso was going to start.

 

Let just hope we will score first and then focus on defending for a while.

Croatia will be forced to attack if they conceided first so we can look for the second goal through counter instead keep playing openly and attacking like after we score against Iceland.

 

Is it true, that Lo Celso is injured?

 

I havent read any news about it, hopefully just a rumour. There's an indication that Dybala will play, at least in second half.. at least he has made a statement that he could and wants to help Messi and the team.

 

Lo Celso is not injured as far as we know. However his omission from the team thus far is mystifying.

 

Personally, I am glad that Sampaoli is changing the system. Four years ago, we criticized Sabella for not knowing how to have a Plan B, now Sampaoli has a Plan B and people are losing their shit saying he doesn’t know what he’s doing and whatnot. You want a coach that can get his team to play in different styles and systems.

 

Agree. The team needs some fresh ideas and fresh blood.

 

Tagliafico is not tall but actually a good header, not worried about that.

 

Problem is, we played this style and the guys couldn’t excell at it. Because of that, Sampaoli had to change to a 4-2-3-1. Now we’re back to the drawing board.

My issue is that trying to press a well organized midfield could be deadly without proper ball movers. I like Masche/Enzo but I prefer a third playmaking like player accompanying them to keep that Croatia midfield on its heels. We will, unfortunately, be trying to connect the lines through Perez which is not his game and the attacking mids will suffer from it.

At Chile, Sampaoli played one ball winner and one playmaker with some defensive abilities. This coupled with attacking wings overwhelmed oppositions and enforced line connections which resulted in guys like Sanchez benefiting. Right now Messi can’t benefit and will be asked to help in the build up.

 

I think that if the back 3 doesn't work, the reported line up (if enzo plays instead of Meza) has the ability to change into a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 during in game.

Salvio---Mercado---Otamendi---Tagliafico
---------------Enzo----Mascherano
Pavon-----------Messi------------Acuna
--------------------Aguero

 

Wish Lo Celso was starting, we have to win tomorrow, we saw 3 teams today win ugly, I would be delighted with a ugly 1 nil win for us against Croatia.

 

I will be happy with a deflection goal from a shot by mercado.

 

same. own goal, hand of god, lucky goal, watever, just win please.

 

Yep, doesn't matter if it comes of Messi's backside in the 95th minute, as long as we win.

 

Pavon still not sure?

https://www.ole.com.ar/seleccion/en...undial-meza-pavon-seleccion_0_2036796384.html

 

The offense was non-existent last game. We had to change.

 

Looks like Meza is going to start instead of Pavon. I'm hoping Enzo isn't rusty

Argentina XI for tomorrow: Caballero; Mercado, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Salvio, Enzo, Mascherano, Acuna; Messi, Meza; Aguero. This via @FOXSportsArg

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 20, 2018

 

Sampoli seems reluctant to start any player under 26

 

Reminds me of his mentor taking Caniggia instead of a relatively in-form Saviola in 2002.

 

I am so depressed about this line-up.

No Lo Celso, no Dybala, no Pavon.....Sampaoli has lost it.

We are playing without three of our most skillful, creative players.

Not one, not two, but three! Sick to the gut.

Hopefully, this line- up is a smokescreen.

 

Ok, it sucks that he's not playing Pavón.

 

Baldie is a coward.

 

Meza over Pavon is effin ridiculous.

 

As long as Rojo, ADM or Biglia aren't playing, I am fine. If our players play to their potential then we'll be fine. If Pavón was starting then we would complain about the GK. Then if the Willy wasn't there, we would complain why Lo Celso isn't there, then if Dybala was starting with Messi and Kun we would say our bench is limit. It is a endless cycle. We got rid of thee dead-weight players and lets go from there.