Argentina have appeared unusually weak for a group that entered the match on the again of a 36-match unbeaten run. They began their marketing campaign with a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, and appeared uncomfortable in every of their video games regardless of successful all of them.
Invariably, the primary downside space seems to be their reliance on Lionel Messi. Tournament soccer groups are often properly organized and structured, counting on particular person expertise to supply moments of brilliance. The downside for Argentina, nonetheless, is {that a} Copa America victory and a really stable build-up that received them favourite standing is what they promised to not be. Unlike different variations of the Albiceleste, they’re not the ‘Lionel Messi Team’.
Yet, of their 4 matches to date, they’ve appeared the identical. They have been on the verge of an early exit when Messi got here up with a second of magic, scoring a belt from exterior the field of their group-stage recreation towards Mexico. Against Poland and Australia – Messi scoring one more difficult-to-execute strike and often taking it straightforward within the latter fixture – the 35-year-old was his group’s greatest inventive outlet.
He would drop inside to gather the ball, spray large areas into open areas, drop his shoulder to beat some gamers and create area, and make some dizzying runs with the ball. Without him, nonetheless, Lionel Scaloni’s aspect have proven a dangerously low stage of creativity on the ball. So a lot in order that, if the Dutch can successfully take Messi out of the sport, on the proof of the final 4 video games, it appears nearly not possible that the Argentine will be capable of pose any type of purpose menace.
Their midfield lacked a lot management, which was later aided by the debut of Enzo Fernández, however Rodrygo de Paul and Alexis McAllister performed largely in worker-like roles attributable to this. Papu Gomez was supposed so as to add a inventive spark within the absence of Angel Di Maria – it says rather a lot {that a} 34-year-old is so valued by Scaloni, not only for creativity, but in addition for vitality and tempo – however failed Now make a mark.
downside in assault and protection
Further, Lautaro Martínez’s poor type would have been a lot higher if Julián Álvarez had not scored two targets and proven vitality and starvation however not solved his creativity downside.
They do not apply a excessive press to win the ball up the pitch, haven’t got midfield creativity, and haven’t got nice goalscoring presence going ahead. At occasions, his sluggish build-up is so irritating that Messi drops all the way in which in entrance of the protection in his personal half to ignite a spark and make one thing out of nothing.
In defence, too, the centre-back partnership of Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero appeared unconvincing, particularly with Lisandro Martinez on the bench. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez was known as upon to make some last-ditch saves, in addition to recovering from a self-inflicted concussion whereas taking part in from the again. They play very slim, and their full-backs haven’t got the identical slicing via large areas as different groups on this World Cup.
Nevertheless, Argentina have gained three matches in a row, with every recreation wanting higher than the final. As a well-balanced group, they proceed to develop positively. Given the stature of the groups they’ve performed to date, they may afford to undergo that course of. Relying on among the finest gamers on the earth, and of all time, is not the worst technique should you’re a group made up of laborious staff, not should you’re a group that is nonetheless discovering itself.
Against Louis van Gaal’s well-drilled Netherlands, nonetheless, their World Cup dream may finish in the event that they fail to change into a completed product.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
