Selection
The problem, rather, was the players he used within the formation. Bringing in Demichelis, amusingly described by one Argentine journalist as a ’synonym of doubt’, was a dreadful decision. The system wasn’t a cause for defensive nervousness, but Demichelis’ clumsiness was. If a back three was needed, then perhaps Zabaleta could have been brought in from the right – not ideal, but more reliable than Demichelis. A more natural centre-back would have been Federico Fernandez – it’s odd that Sabella is so keen to include his ex-Estudiantes players, but chose to play Demichelis over Fernandez.
Marcos Rojo did well down the left, but a more attack-minded player than Zabaleta could have been used down the right. Argentina were likely to be dominating the ball and needing thrust down the flanks. Jonas Gutierrez could have been used here, for example. Zabaleta is a willing runner, but very much a full-back shoved forward and poor in the final third. A combination of a natural left-back and a natural winger (Rojo and Gutierrez) may have been a nice balance on the flanks.
The real problem was in midfield. Mascherano was the holder, and the freest player on the pitch. He’s not known for his distribution, but did well on the ball – hitting nice passes out to Rojo on the left. Ahead of him was the confusion, as Angel Di Maria was moved back to a central midfield role that didn’t suit his qualities at all. He likes to drift from out to in, picking the ball up on the move and running at speed. Here, he was occupied by Tomas Rincon and contributed little.
The role of Jose Sosa was particularly baffling. What was he meant to be? Slightly left-sided, ahead of the midfield, deeper than Messi. Presumably he was meant to drift in from the left to join up with the front two, but then why not give that role to Di Maria, and play a true passer (like the dropped Banega) alongside Mascherano? It made little sense, especially considering the trio of Di Maria, Messi and Higuain combined well against Chile. That was broken up. At least Sosa distracted Cesar Gonzalez and Roberto Rosales slightly, allowing Rojo space which Zabaleta didn’t get on the other flank.
The problem, rather, was the players he used within the formation. Bringing in Demichelis, amusingly described by one Argentine journalist as a ’synonym of doubt’, was a dreadful decision. The system wasn’t a cause for defensive nervousness, but Demichelis’ clumsiness was. If a back three was needed, then perhaps Zabaleta could have been brought in from the right – not ideal, but more reliable than Demichelis. A more natural centre-back would have been Federico Fernandez – it’s odd that Sabella is so keen to include his ex-Estudiantes players, but chose to play Demichelis over Fernandez.
Marcos Rojo did well down the left, but a more attack-minded player than Zabaleta could have been used down the right. Argentina were likely to be dominating the ball and needing thrust down the flanks. Jonas Gutierrez could have been used here, for example. Zabaleta is a willing runner, but very much a full-back shoved forward and poor in the final third. A combination of a natural left-back and a natural winger (Rojo and Gutierrez) may have been a nice balance on the flanks.
The real problem was in midfield. Mascherano was the holder, and the freest player on the pitch. He’s not known for his distribution, but did well on the ball – hitting nice passes out to Rojo on the left. Ahead of him was the confusion, as Angel Di Maria was moved back to a central midfield role that didn’t suit his qualities at all. He likes to drift from out to in, picking the ball up on the move and running at speed. Here, he was occupied by Tomas Rincon and contributed little.
The role of Jose Sosa was particularly baffling. What was he meant to be? Slightly left-sided, ahead of the midfield, deeper than Messi. Presumably he was meant to drift in from the left to join up with the front two, but then why not give that role to Di Maria, and play a true passer (like the dropped Banega) alongside Mascherano? It made little sense, especially considering the trio of Di Maria, Messi and Higuain combined well against Chile. That was broken up. At least Sosa distracted Cesar Gonzalez and Roberto Rosales slightly, allowing Rojo space which Zabaleta didn’t get on the other flank.
