Who will win this group?

We noticed your weaknesses on set pieces and knew we would have chances anyway....we were talking about it here even before the world cup starts so from a closed game without spaces it was certain we would hurt you more and we did. We just have more options than you.
You can't do anything about it.

If you would have opened the game against us we would have hurt you bad.

You can whine as much as you want we just have a more complete team than yours and more weapons.

 

I really cannot call this. It could go either way. Anyone but Argentina and I'd be confident we'll win but Argentina our nemesis ....I just don't know. Either way I'll be in my snazzy jersey watching and praying from my desk!

 

I think the last two sentence are key to achieve something special this year. There is no need to undermine themselves. Croatia got quality all over the place and with the right mentality anything is possible. The belief in your own strenghts makes you even stronger. It seems this team has the right mentality this year.

 

We should change the thread title. Barring a miracle Croatia has won it.

More rumours from the Argentina camp. Messi and Mascherano now effectively Argentina's coaches?

http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=28272

Former Argentine World Cup star, Ricardo Giusti who won the tournament in 1986 has claimed that he has spoken to AFA general manager, Jorge Burruchaga in respect to having the likes of Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano pick their best suited team for the game against the Super Eagles.

''The players will decide the team, that's a fact. If Sampaoli wants to sit in the bench, he can do it. If not, no problem", Giusti was quoted as saying.

 

Formation almost sure from Argentina:

-----------------------Armani-----------------------
Mercado--Otamendi---Rojo---Tagliafico
Perez--Mascherano--Banega--Di Maria
------------Messi--------Higuain--------------

 

Definite upgrade on previous setups.

 

Armani yes. As I said in a post a month ago, Caballero is generally good, but has a habit of occasionally being overcome, as shown against the Croatians. Nothing to lose putting Armani in, and it will give more hope to the rest of the squad.

No way for Higuain. Definition of insanity: Trying to change the result doing the same things over and over again that have completely failed.

Arguero was the best Argentine player against Croatia, to take him off early for Higuain was complete madness.

As for the rest, it almost makes no difference who is chosen other than Messi. Mercado was over his head, so replacing him is probably a good idea.

Good thing that they are playing Nigeria, as there will be more opportunities and openess, but Argentina needs to attack quickly and work on the transition game.

 

The thing with Mercado is that the other option is Salvio, who isn't even a RB for anyone in the world except for this coach.

 

Average age of rumoured Argentina side - 31 years. Interesting

 

Yes, this truly is the end of an era for this "golden generation" of Argentina players who won so much at youth level but have collected only silver at senior level

 

Meanwhile Nigeria with no changes:
Nigeria Starting XI Vs Argentina : Uzoho; Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo; Victor Moses, Obi Mikel, Ndidi, Etebo, Idowu; Iheanacho, Musa

Overly conservative?

 

Never change a winning team.

 

Arguably the team that won had Ebeuhi over Idowu.

 

Idowu is a very good tackler. He will be needed.

 

HRVATSKA: L. Kalinić, Pivarić, Ćaleta-Car, Ćorluka, Jedvaj, Badelj, Modrić, Perišić, Kovačić, Pjaca, Kramarić

Subs on the pitch for us.
Modric will probably play one half to keep the rythm and that's it.
But even with them i am confident in getting a result and showing to the others here that even by switching 8-9 players we are still strong. )

 

They should be called the silver generation then.

 

I'm worried about that Defence though.

 

I am not caleta car and jedvaj are very talented youngsters and corluka was our defense's leader for years...kalinic has been voted best gk in belgium..they can get a result tonight.

 

So the runner up will face france in round 16.
Croatia-Denmark on the other hand.

 

So Croatia topped the group with more points than Argentina Nigeria and Iceland united?
And won over Iceland with 9 subs.

Group D owned.

Now Denmark in our way.

 

Congrats to Croatia.

Den-Cro should be fun!

 

Grats Croatia! Should take care of Denmark easily.

 

May God hear you

 

I'm sad for the Nigerian fans. So close!