FIFA World Cup 2018 - Round of 16: Argentina vs. France - June 30 [R]

If that's true then it would be 10 vs 11 ... well its 9 vs 11 if Biglia and Higuain play.

 

No no no
Let's all pray for Enzo

 

Proud of you Bostero!!

(Patón tiene que estar en el arco. Pero... bue.)

 

I'm nervous, perhaps it might come down to 1-1, let hope Argentina won't give France ANY penalty kick. (Like the silly example of Mascherano in the last game).

Since my team not even make it to 2018WCup, Argentina is the closest team I root for. I hope they win, part of me still say they can do it if they really commit to it.

I can't wait till Saturday over so I can move on with my life (at least I know if Argentina make it or not). I been ignoring my husband eversince this WCup started, lol, my eyes is like glue to the TV. My husband he not really a soccer fan. In our Chinese/Vietnamese language, we call it soccer, as to English call it football.

GO GO Argentina!!

 

Very good analysis. Shows how great Banega was but unfortunately it also shows how bad mascherano can be at times. I was shocked because I remember him having a better game than that. I think mascherano is our weak link unfortunately he's too old

 

Is there any player that can excel Mascherano place at all? Part of me want to leave Mascherano out in this match against France. I'm worry about France might get a penalty kick.

Like in the last match if Rojo didn't score that second goal (where Mascherano put Argentina to a 1-1 tied), we was leading first, then the penalty kick from him tied us. And a drawn at that time meaning we be going home in the group stage. So thank God to Rojo score.
........
IF (if here) if Mascherano give another penalty kick and this time to France, and that might mean we out from the quater-finals.
We don't have three matches chances like how in the group stage is anymore.

 

Argentina fans, who do you think will be you starting lineup vs France? Any chance that Dybala, Messi, and Aguero will all start together in a front three?

 

What do you think of this?

-Dybala-Aguero-Messi-
-Di Maria-Biglia-Benenga-Rojo-
-Fazio-Mascherano-Otamendi-
-Armani-​

 

No, it would be most likely Aguero or Higuain up front and then Di Maria on the left with Pavon replacing him in second half or vica versa. If Perez fit he'll play on the right like against Nigeria but Sampa (if he's still the man in charge) will certainly pick Biglia as his replacement. I'd prefer Lo Celso over Masche but at this point its hard to imagine Masche to be suddenly dropped.

That penalty for Nigeria was a gift, a soft tanggling like that would have been ignored by the ref 9 out of 10 times. Still, he had made so many passing errors and gets beaten on counter way too easily.

Something needs to be fixed here or it could be another thrashing like the Croatia game. However, I'm not holding my breath to see Masche out from starting 11. We should have learn from Germany's early exit after Loew decided to fields so many veterans who's clearly past their best.

 

It wont happen, Dybala wont start... its obvious Dybala will not fit anywhere in the current setup. It will be 4-4-2 that can shifted into 4-3-3 during the game.

 

Biglia in the midfield and with a back three? Sounds like a fantastic plan but I would do one quick swap, swap Armani and Messi's roles and then I think you have a World Cup winning side.

 

I want Lo Celso in midfield alongside Banega and Perez or Mascherano (not that i like him, but do we have a replacement for him?) : the rest like Nigeria.

Aguero and Pavon entering at the begging of the 2nd half

 

I think Banega will be the CAM if Perez can’t go. However, i’d prefer Lo Celso in a double pivot role behind Banega with Masche over Biglia. Its a bit offensive but Lo Celso has played DM on multiple occasions this season and he can defend better than Biglia.

 

tbh Perez hasn't been terrible but Pizarro should have been the replacement. Lo Celso and even Meza can play Perez's current role. This team desperately needs a sub for Masche cuz he cant play good games in succession anymore and they don't have one. i still have hope but the reality is a miracle will be needed for this team to progress. Simply terrible squad selection

 

You never know...Sampanico does like to be innovative.

----Otamendi-Fazio-Mash------
Salvio-----------------------------Acuna
-------Lo Celso---Banega------------
----Messi----------------------Di Maria
-----------------RojoLoco----------------

Too bad we can't have some fun matches to try weird stuff.

 

Banega turns 30.

Mascherano, Biglia, Enzo, Banega all 30+.
*Creak*

Maybe Lo Celso just has to wait till 2022 before he's "experienced" enough.

 

It depends on how we are going to approach the game. If we are going to sit back and counter, then I would put on Pavon, but the problem is that since both Pavon and Di Maria will do a lot of long running supporting both attack and defence, both of them are probably going to be subbed out and the only player in the squad who can do well on that role is Meza. If we are going a bit open from the start then Enzo is better as you said he provides balance and keeps the shape by interchanging with Messi. Put Pavon on at around the 65th minute. It really depends on how we approach the game.

 

Perez and Pizarro play two complete different roles. Perez is a box to box player who can also play as a right midfielder. Pizarro can replace Biglia though. Meza doesn't have the defensive skills as Perez does and Lo Celso is a left footed Perez so Lo Celso is more suited to the left side than the right side. The only player I would replace Perez is... Lanzini...

 

Javier Mascherano’s legs may have gone but his heart has not

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...-heart?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

 

Higuain is shot to pieces, you can see it in his eyes, when he missed those 2 chances, he had the look of a man walking to the electric chair. Sure he'll run and work hard, what else can he do, he knows he won't score. It almost seems cruel picking him.

 

Diario Olé responded to L'Équipe's front cover.

 

So how did Masche get that black eye?