How can Messi Argentina prepare with a World Cup at stake?

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Messi Argentina: How can Messi Argentina prepare with a World Cup;- The adage “no strategy ever survives first contact with the adversary” is a favorite among military personnel. In a circumstance that Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has already encountered twice in his young coaching career, we can reasonably replace “enemy” with “opposition.”

One was in his team’s opening World Cup match. A patient, possession-based midfield would control the ball, bring Lionel Messi into the game frequently, and many of them close enough to the opposing goal to inflict major damage. This is how Argentina arrived in Qatar riding high on a 36-game unbeaten streak.

With a fierce high line that forced Argentina into a style of game they were not accustomed with and forced Scaloni to rethink, Saudi Arabia delivered Scaloni a rough introduction to the World Cup. Since then, a lot of experimenting has taken place, almost all of it successfully. In order to accommodate Messi’s increased inconsistent play, the front line must be more mobile, which is why Julian Alvarez was selected over the struggling Lautaro Martinez. (How can Messi Argentina prepare with a World Cup)

How can Messi Argentina prepare with a World Cup at stake?

There will be instances when switching to a back-three is advised if the team can’t always control the ball. Therefore, the first contact with the opponent has forced Argentina’s coach to develop modifications on his strategy. (How can Messi Argentina prepare with a World Cup)

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But Scaloni had to make a much more significant change closer to the beginning of his rule. He was forced to abandon a whole project. Scaloni was hired after the 2018 World Cup, originally on a temporary basis, and had previously worked as an observer for Argentina’s rivals. France, the squad that defeated Argentina in the second round, was the one that made the biggest impression.

In his first news conference, he stated that France “robbed the ball and were in a position to fire in three or four seconds.” “The time has arrived to implement this in Argentina because that is how soccer is developing and that is the style of soccer I want. We’ll take a more direct and vertical approach.”

And as was to be expected, his France-inspired Argentina was a failure. Messi and the tools at Scaloni’s disposal were not suited for this type of play. The opening game of the 2019 Copa America versus Colombia served as the first competitive game under the new administration. Argentina performed horribly, sprawled out across the field, and were easily picked off en route to a 2-0 loss. It was obvious that Scaloni’s strategy had failed at initial touch with the opponent, and the coach had the good judgment to row back. Argentina scribbled out the possession-based approach that has since greatly benefited them during the remainder of the competition as they stumbled towards something more sensible.(How can Messi Argentina prepare with a World Cup)

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And now is when the real work begins. Scaloni most likely anticipated playing either Brazil, Spain, or Germany in the semifinal. It was a pleasant surprise to see Croatia, a team with a great midfield — Scaloni praised Croatian captain Luka Modric and his colleagues after the game and admitted the 3-0 result understated La Albiceleste — but lacking the firepower to seriously test his defense. (How can Messi Argentina prepare with a World Cup)

This has changed, and for Argentina to win the championship, they must defeat a lethal front four with Kylian Mbappe as the star of the show. How is it possible for Scaloni to plan a win against a group he publicly admires and undoubtedly fears? The results of earlier contests provide evidence that France is vulnerable. Didier Deschamps, the manager of France, will undoubtedly be worried about the left side of his defense because Mbappe does not drop back to assist and full-back Theo Hernandez can be vulnerable there. (How can Messi Argentina prepare with a World Cup)

Messi is a meticulous game reader and will identify any weaknesses. At some point during the game, Angel Di Maria will undoubtedly be let loose. Even though he wasn’t at full strength, Di Maria sprang onto the scene in the closing moments of the quarterfinal matchup with the Netherlands, scoring both solo goals and rapid combos with Messi. He wasn’t necessary against Croatia, but he’ll undoubtedly be crucial on championship day.

Argentina appears to have the best chance of overtaking France if Messi and Di Maria play down the right side. However, it is a classic case of the balancing act. How can Argentina deliver their own blows while dodging the opposition’s haymakers? For stretches of the game, they might be able to keep midfield under control, but eventually the French counterattack will be launched. How can Scaloni’s club defend against a level of talent they have never encountered? (How can Messi Argentina prepare with a World Cup)

Centre-backs The limits of Nico Otamendi and Cristian Romero will be tested, especially Romero who provides cover on the field’s edge where Mbappe marauds. Will Scaloni switch back to three at the back and bring Lisandro Martinez back? Guido Rodriguez, a defensive midfielder who was ill-advisedly selected for the second game against Mexico, may come in handy at this point. Argentina’s coach will undoubtedly devise some sort of strategy, but the intriguing question is how well it will hold up in the face of the current world champions.