Matchday Thread | GROUP F

Romero
He's done better than we give him credit for

 

I don't agree, they are better than Greece. They are just too indecisive. Their buildup is too slow

 

they will inherit all the same defensive problems of these split up ex-yugo teams. Yugoslavia had been one team for a long time and sucked

 

Not as good as the former Roman Empire would have been. Man, what a team they would have had! Italy, France, Spain, Portugal. Yowzers.

 

And their first touch is terrible. They are better than Greece obviously, but today their end product has been just as appauling.

 

Well, Argentina should look at this as a good omen - their great group play in 2006 and 2010 didn't pay off in the end. Perhaps it's better to start poorly
Bosnia very unlucky, they're the better team without playing terribly well

 

B&H first game in WC and so unlucky with the goal so it is understandable that they are cautious.
Argentina has been very poor, Messi losing possession a number of times, Kun not getting a supply, Di Maria with only one good run. Best players for Argentina has been Rojo and Zabaleta. Argentina fans have been really good

 

they dont have the skill at foot. look how they gave the ball away on half their possessions.

 

I'll tell you what, this was a very, very poor display by Argentina and Messi in first half, except for a lucky own goal. A team completely disorganized tactically, just kicking the ball to the front and then wasting the play by stubbornly running into the defenders; the defense leaving huge gaps, midfield being uncreative...

Is this the great Argentina that was supposed to come and steal the Cup from Brazil???

If a computer-generated simulation showed this exact same game with special effects making it all up for the jerseys and players to look like, say, New Zealand playing instead of Argentina, and neutral people were watching the simulation without knowing the team was actually Argentina and the #10 was actually Messi, nobody would be giving a dime for how they're playing. The "New Zealander" number 10 would have been called a stubborn ball hog with no dribbling skills.

Wow!

 

Why does everyone keep babbling about Messi?
As soon as he touches the ball the fire-alarm goes in the Bosnian defence+midfield and they completely surround him. Bosnia has deployed a good strategy and have effectively shut him down. That's all there is to it.
Bosnia have been showing extremely good defensive discipline and are very physical.

If it hadnt been for that own-goal, this game would have had 0-0 written all over it.
Dont think we'll be seeing any more goals in 2nd half.

 

Nobody is taking the game to anybody in this match. 2 teams sitting back , making misplaced passes and poor attacks. Good defending though.

 

we look disastrous today.

 

No, I disgaree. Argentina is defending very poorly.

 

Warm up is done, now let's play.

 

i wish the goal never happened. now i cant decide whether argentina subconsciously took their foot off the pedal or they are actually unable to attack properly.

 

it's ok. teams that go far started poorly historically.

 

Bosnia deploying very sound tactics to nullify Argentine threat.

 

oh really? very strange that they didn't call up banega then.

 

Besides tactics, Argentinian players look timid when trying to tackle the bigger Bosnian players on 50/50 balls.

 

Badly controlled ball by Bosnian forward which would have left him 1v1 with Romero, after a beautiful pass from deep split the Argentine defense, Pjanic free kick, Lulic header desperately batted away by Romero, to mention a few Bosnian chances. Yes, Bosnia is taking the game to Argentina. Belie dat.

 

aww they took maxi off for gago

 

Romero, Mascherano (though he's lucky not to have a yellow) and Garay have been decent at times. Romero especially. I'd blame the lack of creativity on Argentina's inexplicable 5-3-2. They need another central midfielder. Also, they need to do something about that right flank. Bosnia is having way too easy a time through there.

 

And here ome Higuain and Gago...

 

Lots of things have been said about Banega being cut-off from the list.

Gago and Higuain in, you asked for it

 

Argentina must improve, now that Gago and Higuain are coming in, provided that they are decently fit.
I can't believe Argentina is this bad. Can't be.
Maybe second half will be completely different, if their head coach is worth his weight.
Someone must correct Argentina's poor tactical discipline and start actually playing instead of kicking the ball to the front in disorganized fashion.
Di Maria also very disappointing. He is their best player in spite of the Messy hype. He must step up if they want to be successful in this Cup.