And Messi knows that he could've won the match. You see it in his interview and his body-language when the final whistle blew. He was kneeling down, and none of our players came to raise him up. The Icelandic players came and shook his hand, and one even asked for his jersey, which Messi pointed to the locker-room. It wasn't until a couple minutes after the whistle Ansaldi came and put his arm around Messi. Leo carries a great burden with him and you could see how much he wants to give to his people. I believe he will rise above this and play exceptionally better v Croatia and Nigeria. We can be so much more, we have options but Sampaoli's reluctance is upsetting most, if not all of us. Pavon showed more in a brief period that ADM did most of the game. Biglia who gave the ball away in midfield left us scrambling and let to a goal. No wonder Sampaoli subbed his candy ass out early in the second half. Why not bring in Lo Celso who can carry the ball and unlock a defense. We had the ball over 70% of the match and completed 700 passes or whatever it was? How many of those passes led to chances? Rojo's ridiculous shot that by sheer luck landed to Kun's feet? Why not Dybala who has a great from outside of the box and who also could open up a defense, like this play v Brasil. I won't even get started on Willy the Clown, who was out there juggling the ball. Time for Sampaoli to wake up and smell the coffee.
It's ok, no need to over react, historically there have been results like. You can go back to the 1988 European Championship Holland lost their opening game to the Soviet Union, then they went on to beat them in the final. Iceland have drawn with Portugal, beaten England and Croatia, so certainly no Saudi Arabia. I think for the next game we should bring in Lo Celso and Pavon. Messi needs to play further upfield as well. We'll be ok, everyone keep the faith.
Messi got much more of the ball when had Banega to pull the strings in midfield and he didnt have to drop deep. problem is Banega was clearly not match fit. honestly at this point Samp needs to somehow incorporate Dybala because the attack is so predictable. Have Pavon on the right and Dybala on the left
You know what I think the difference is between Ronaldo and Messi at international level? It's that even when playing for Portugal, Ronaldo is playing for his own personal glory. Where as with Messi he feels the whole weight of the nation on his shoulders and he wants to win for the people. I believe that is what inhibits his performance at tournaments for Argentina. Go on Leo do it for your own greatness, so you can sit alongside Diego.
Probably. I just expected more from both teams. Eventhough Croacia is playing better, both teams leave a lot of spaces open, seem to lack definition, and Argentina should beat them both even playing mediocrily as long as Sampa doesnt come up with a ridiculous team like he did today.
Maybe he will change Lo Celso in. But have very low expectations that Sampa makes the other 2 changes.
Terrible build up to this WC for us, and it shows.. The team lacks cohesion, and Samp still not convinced on a starting 11. We needed at least 2 more friendlies with this team. - The loss of Lanzini and Romero didn't help, either
Also, FoxSports (English) is so fu#king anti-Argentina. These clowns celebrated the tie as if their own country beat Argentina.
Just realised that a Croatia win against Nigeria can complicate things for Argentina. If Croatia wins today, they will play without pressure and will be happy to play for a draw. So another game like today is very probable. So guys pray for a draw or for a Nigeria win.
Not sure about that. Having everybody on one point will give everybody something to play for until the end. Croatia and Iceland know each other since they’ve played in the same group for qualifiers and they’ll play last. I’d rather have Nigeria on only one point or zero until their last game when they play us. We don’t want Nigeria to play for a draw in the last game.
Can't watch Telemundo? I don't get the fascination with underdogs and rooting against Messi who is probably the most likeable player on the planet. Anyhow Fox's coverage is pathetic regardless.
It is like the same story every four years. Why against a team who just parked the bus, Argentina needed to CDM's in Mashe and Biglia? Why not starting Lo Celso? Mashe had like 130 passes, not one dangerous or penetrative. The dude is playing in China ffs! Against a team like that, you need a player able to create, dribble, operate in tight spaces. Dybala would have been called in at some point. Not to mention starting Rojo. This dude is a disaster waiting to happen. That pick really makes me question Sampaoli mental faculties. He is really over his head.
looking like both the teams are playing below par, if not for stupid penalty nigeria could have tried equalising, i think if sampa doesn't beome stupid again and announce the starting 11 a day before and become adamant on line up choosing bilia and rojo arg will easily win.... anybody feeling that iceland could beat crotia and niegria and be on par with arg if we win the next two games
Well, Sampa has been stupid for his whole reign as Argentina coach so far. Would be surprised if that changes before the Croatia game.
I just dont feel confident with Sampaoli anymore. The guy has been coaching for over a year and hasnt shown any positive signs yet. His selections and justifications for player preference are illogical. We know Rojo is solid passing from the back but so is Fazio and Pezzela. We also know that Biglia has defensive qualities but less so than the likes of Paredes and Enzo. I just can’t justify many of his preferences anymore.