GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Saw the probable Argentinian lineup and I was so upset that I had to create a thread early. Quote Subašić; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinić; Badelj, Rakitić; Rebić, Modrić, Perišić; Mandžukić. Quote Caballero; Mercado, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Salvio, Enzo, Mascherano, Acuna; Messi, Meza; Aguero. Probable Argentinian lineup for tomorrow, 3-4-3. So, basically he didn't even invite Enzo Perez, then Lanzini gets injured, a player that plays in completely different role and can't be compared with Perez. That would mean Perez wasn't needed and was called up because Sampaoli saw no other better backup. Second game of the tournament, Enzo Perez is starting? Prime example that Sampaoli is completely lost and clueless. Why did you take those other midfielders then if a guy who was at a vacation up until last week will start? That back three will get killed in the air. They don't have a single tall player on the lineup. Mandžukić and Perišić will have a huge advantage in air. And that's even before set-pieces come into play. You have Pizarro, Paredes, Lo Celso, Perotti, Lamela, Di Maria, Perotti, Dybala, Higuain, Icardi on your disposal, but Salvio, Perez, Acuna and Meza are playing? Even Pavon has shown more in just 20ish minutes than Meza. Tbh, the only thing that can save Argentina tomorrow is Croatia choking or Messi having otherworldy performance. Even then, it won't matter much, because it's obvious that anything more than quarter-finals would be a miracle for this team. You don't change your complete gameplan after one game, especially knowing Argentina was dreadful with three at the back. I get the point of some players not fitting the system and those guys would be perfectly fine if you didn't have any other options, but the guy literally leaves out three guys that scored 73 goals in CL and Serie A this season. If you can't incorporate any of them in your team that means you're a clueless turd. As for Croatia, Badelj is sort of a Biglia-like player. Good holding midfielder and a passer. Not much will change and Croatia doesn't know how to play defensively even if they wanted to. Sure, people think Argentina will dominate, but I can't see them controlling possession because their midfield is incapable of pressing and taking the ball. Acuna, Meza and Salvio could help with that, but still we know Messi will jog around, Mascherano is ancient and Enzo Perez is also old and probably out of form. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 That Argie lineup if true. As you say, Croatia will have a field day in the air. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Where's the line-up from? One I saw had Pavon starting, but that was a day or two ago just based on training so I assume Sampaoli has tried new things since then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Never mind just searched and found it. Yeah they needed to change a lot but even that is too much... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2018 Author Share Posted June 20, 2018 Even if that's not the exact lineup, they will surely field a 3-4-3 and Acuna has already been on last press conference with Sampaoli. The only doubt would be Enzo Perez spot. Since Sampaoli has fetishes for certain players, Meza should be safe. Idk, from what I've seen against Iceland he's great off-ball but offers nothing in the build-up. It would be a perfect role for Dybala, 3-4-2-1 basically. And two fullbacks as CBs in 3man defense against physically imposing players Croatia have? Not going to work out. We've already seen both Allegri and Spalletti abusing opposition fullbacks who are usually shorter with Perišić and Mandžukić and far-post crosses. Wouldn't surprise me if Kramarić starts and Mandžukić goes wide. But as you said, all signs point to absolute shambles from Argentina. So sad that they basically waste four World Cups and absolutely stacked teams with idiotic coaches. Pekerman, Maradona, Sabella and now Sampaoli. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 I wouldn't call this a stacked team. It's got some great players but it's one of the most unbalanced sides in terms of talent I've seen at a World Cup. Well, since the last Argentina side at a World Cup... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2018 Author Share Posted June 20, 2018 Check the 2002-2010 squads. Those teams were stacked. But they would always have idiotic coaches that ruined everything. And it's already been shown by much weaker teams that defending can be achieved with supposedly mediocre players. Argentinian front line is stacked. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Just now, GunmaN1905 said: Check the 2002-2010 squads. Those teams were stacked. But they would always have idiotic coaches that ruined everything. And it's already been shown by much weaker teams that defending can be achieved with supposedly mediocre players. Argentinian front line is stacked. Front line yeah but Higuaín and Agüero for example haven't replicated their club form and I don't think it was the coach to blame (generally yes, but not for their finishing). Agree on the other squads, was talking about just this one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2018 Author Share Posted June 20, 2018 The coach is to blame for not taking Serie A top scorer. And it's true that they didn't perform for Argentina, but their gameplan over the past few years was terrible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 I know. I'm not excusing the coaches for what it's worth, just don't agree that this is a stacked side. Icardi wouldn't have solved their problems against Iceland though, they go deeper than that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Well, Acuña and Salvio definitely make more sense as wingbacks in a 3-4-3 than in a backline of 4. I've lost my faith in Sampaoli after the 1st match, ridiculous lack of dynamism in the side tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Sampoli is not in charge of the Argentina team, it's a team full of Messi's pals because he wants to control the team and get them to play through him anybody with a brain would put Dybala in that team for something different because he is the sort of player who can win games for Argentina in the right position Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Oh dear. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cedrik Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Still feel Argentina will win this, can't really see them being on only one point after two matches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Think Argentina will still win tbh, like the crap Brazil team that beat Croatia last world cup and got shown up against class opposition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon_84 Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Unlike other strikers Aguero doesn't need multiple chances to score. He needs one. Any team that has him in the side has a great chance of winning. 2-1 Argentina Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 If we play like in the first game, we'll end up losing anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 This might be low key most entertaining game in this WC. Both teams are terrible (ok, this might be too strong of a word) at the back, with more than enough creativity and skill in midfield and attack. So, judging by that logic, it'll end 0-0 or 1-0 to either side. This World Cup is like that Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Just opened the thread. Got absolutely soaked by the splash of gunman's tears. Needs a warning in the title Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluedave Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 When Gunman gets a bee in his bonnet he doesn't half go on about it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 21, 2018 Author Share Posted June 21, 2018 2 hours ago, Astafjevs said: Just opened the thread. Got absolutely soaked by the splash of gunman's tears. Needs a warning in the title Which tears? It's a win-win situation for me. Either criminal organization led by money laundering players bottles it and bandwagon fans cry or Sampaoli and Messi get knocked out. Higuain missing a sitter would be a cherry on top. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 21, 2018 Author Share Posted June 21, 2018 Brozović starting, not Badelj. Even more running and pressing from Croatia. Croatia has never lost second game of any big tournament: 96 Denmark 3-0 98 Japan 1-0 02 Italy 2-1 04 France 2-2 06 Japan 0-0 08 Germany 2-1 12 Italy 1-1 14 Cameroon 4-0 16 Czech 2-2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaceCrusher Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 2 big teams so hopefully a wacky match like Portugal - Spain please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redshift Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Hopefully not much parking the bus and no vuvuzelas! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFuller Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 I reckon we'll see more than two goals for once. Both defences look a bit suspect, but Argentina's especially so. My tip is for Croatia to win by a single goal. That's all I'll say for now, considering my (lack of) prediction skills. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 "hey Pablo you played in the World Cup Final 4 years ago?" "yes I did" "lets just show Germany winning the game to make you feel better" could have shown "highlights" of the tournament of him, rather than showing a moment he probably hasn't bothered with since he played the game Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordan Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Argentina vs Croatia, has a nice ring to it. Don't disappoint me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Messi already feeling the heat! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid1984 Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 How is kovacic always on bench for Croatia? Such a brilliant player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icondacarver Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Messi hattrick. You heard it here first Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordan Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Just now, Icondacarver said: Messi hattrick. You heard it here first Could be the only time we hear it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Great save, that was finding the bottom far corner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Perisic doesn't have a weak foot, does he?!? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 21, 2018 Author Share Posted June 21, 2018 Just now, Flyman said: Perisic doesn't have a weak foot, does he?!? No, he even takes FKs with both. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 He's the most "Either" player I have ever seen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid1984 Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 5 minutes ago, Flyman said: He's the most "Either" player I have ever seen Probably the reason why mourinho wanted him last season despite his age. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaceCrusher Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 7 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said: No, he even takes FKs with both. Mexican Jesus Corona also does that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Another boxing analogy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darius1998 Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Lovren's going to pocket Messi tonight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 21, 2018 Author Share Posted June 21, 2018 Here we go with pressure on the ref. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_ Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Ref saying he dived. Love it He did, tbf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redshift Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Was it wise to hire Karl Pilkington as manager? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Referee giving no ****s there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 21, 2018 Author Share Posted June 21, 2018 Just now, Redshift said: Was it wise to hire Karl Pilkington as manager? At least, he'd be the bullsh*t man. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daylight Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 This is the most experienced ref at the World Cup, he signalled a dive and yet he never booked him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 At everyone thinking Messi is the problem. Look at the state of this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VamPook Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Hahahahhaha, this Argentina defence. No wonder Messi cant win anything with them Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordan Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 The National Breeder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haguey Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 God Argentina are dreadful Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Otamendi with the total air shot. Argies look bad at the back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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