Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni tries two teams in training

By
Roy Nemer
-
130

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni tried out two teams in training on Thursday.

Lionel Scaloni tried out two teams, one with a four man back line and one with a five man back line. According to Ole, the first one was tried with Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Tagliafico as left back and right back, with Nicolás Otamendi and Cristian Romero as the two center backs.

Rodrigo De Paul is in the first team with Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister. Up front, it’s Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez and Ángel Di María.

The second team has a five man back line with Nahuel Molina and Marcos Acuña as the full backs. Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi and Lisandro Martínez are the three center backs. In midfield, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul and Mac Allister. Up front, it was Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez.

Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez and Di María

Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Acuña; Enzo Fernández, De Paul, Mac Allister; Messi and Julián Álvarez

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

130 Comments

    • Nobody knows. Scaloni is playing mind games with the Dutch coach. They are focusing on stopping messi… maybe just maybe they might get a surprise by seeing dybala.. just maybe

  3. The biggest motivation we can get is if Croatia sticks it to Brazil and knocks them out. I don’t think this will happen, and aside from the fact that I don’t like Brazil because they are our rival, I despise that they are so arrogant with the dancing and humiliate other teams doing so. No sportsmanship and Tite is a total dick.

  4. If we keep it tight and don’t concede there is no way we will not create chances upfront and if we only convert one of those chances then we are through. TYC still reporting Dimaria and Depaul are not 100% while as per Ole both players practiced in different formations. However I would like to see Croatia knock Brazil out first. Imaging Brazil going home today and we advance to the semi finals!! They would be wishing the opposite too but Croatia is very experienced and will test Neymar’s ankle!!

  6. I am very tensed right now. I wasn’t tensed about this match even yesterday but now im tensed. Netherlands going for the kill with attacking players like depay bergjwin and gakpo our defense will put to real test today i don’t know a slow otamendi or defensively weak molina or nervous tagliafico can cope with that or not. There defense is better than us our attack will suffer if they neutralize messi completely. And seeing there starting team looks like they will go for it

    • What a negative guy.. What is great about this netherland team ??? They have better Att then us ? No. They have better mid then us ? No. They have better defence then us ? No… Plus We have messi…..

        • Overconfidence is not good. Still under confidence a problem. Just relax, These player played for like 2 years already and they havent lost 36 games. We should at least trust in them.

    • You have been quite positive off late about Argentina, for a change. Why do you want to go back to these negative vibes just by seeing their team composition? Its the fight in their stomach and their will power which will eventually push them for a win. Not just Leo’s brilliance. Vamos!!!

  9. I have a feeling that today’s game would be won on the wide areas. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Scaloni opt for 5-3-2 formation with Lisandro, Otamedi and Romero being Centre backs, Acuna and Molina wingbacks and Messi and Alvarez being forwards.

  10. Bergwijn and Depay in attack, Gapko behind them. It was Gapko and Depay in USA match with another midfielder behind them whose name I can’t remember, something like Klanssen.

    They have added more attacking “venom” instead of midfield stability it seems 🤣

    We have a big problem today 😣😤

  13. Correa should play at this point now. I regard him as a direct replacement for Di Maria. I dont know what weakness Scaloni see on him. We need players who can do damage 1 on 1 on wings.

  14. I am calm…I believe we will win today comfortably.
    My only concern is unluck..!

    I was in huge pressure against Mexico, I was in stadium too. I don’t see same emotion now or even against Brazil.

  17. Just as I predicted. Tossing and turning all night with only 3 hours of sleep. 3:45 AM here and my eyes are wide open refreshing the mundo site for any updates. Excitement is unbearable.

    Vamos vamos vamos Argentina ! Both the kids and wife will support with their jerseys !

  18. 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷

    VAMOS!!!!! Vamos pulga! Vamos Argentina
    VAMOS!!!!! Vamos pulga! Vamos Argentina
    VAMOS!!!!! Vamos pulga! Vamos Argentina

    🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷🇦🇷

  19. Apart from Saudi’s game , we havent really conceided other than Australia goal which came from deflected shot. The problem of Scaloni’s team throughout this WC is not underperforming defenders but the tendency to keep stroking the ball around in our OWN final third. What kind of BS is this? did Scaloni ask Sampaoli for advice? anyone remember that Croatia game where we keep doing that the whole match?

    We almost conceided against Australia due to silly backpassing, although ironically its Australia who conceided that way, but even our second goal should tells us something… you keep playing the ball in your own final third, chances your team is going to get caught if opponent decided to press.

    • > but the tendency to keep stroking the ball around in our OWN final third

      That’s where GLC performed really well with quick line breaking passes. Enzo getting more comfortable and confident, i’m sure we’ll see less of the back and forth in our 3rd….well, at least i hope so.

    • Those back passes are the worse. It’s like they are playing it cool with no really plan on transitioning the ball up. DiMaria helps as his movement is way better than papu’s.

      It’s useful at times but for the most pasty if there is no one open and pressure is high just blast it up and reset.

  20. anyone but Tagliafico please please!!!

    he’s just so terrible, so nearly coast us against the Aussies right at the end

    he just offers nothing both Defensively and offensively

  21. I don’t believe Netherlands have what it takes to create a problem for our defense. Our defense is too solid for them to even create “expected goals”. They would only rely on their defense and hope for a miracle for their counter.

    Remember we are not Sampaoli’s team who did not care about defense. Scaloni is a defensive minded coach, so if any coach hoping to score goals through counter attack, they live in a dream land. If we can somehow score an early goal, It would not be that hard to win.

    This is the World Cup, there is no team that had good defense and average midfielders and forwards would win the tournament, never and will never be that way. In Euro Denmark did it once. In CL Jose Mourinho’s Porto did it once but the World cup is different. Italy 2006 world champion is defense plus solid everywhere else.

    • @el principe

      if we keep it tight at the back and not conceding , and we have a fit Di Maria we will score at least One Goal in 90 or 120 minutes

      the most important for us its not to concede

    • As long we stays calm, we’ll eventualy find the winner even if it takes an ET. Maybe like the Switzerland game in 2014, tough match but we did created more danger throughout and finally rewarded.

      I mean , without Di Maria and an injured Aguero, we still almost beat Netherlands in 2014 if wasnt Palacio weakass header. He also jumped and blocked Maxi Rodriguez view when Maxi tries to volleys it. That Netherlands was much better than this one.

      • @rattlehead

        agreed

        we would of won it in 2014 had Di Maria been fit.

        without Di Maria we are less dangerous that’s for sure

        Di maria will be Crucial tonight as the Dutch will be doubling up on Messi and there will be Gaps for Di Maria to expose

        • Sounds about right. I do think their plan will be to put deJong and Koop on messi, freeing di María. Álvarez makes great runs so I think he’ll get a 1×1 opportunity today.

          Enzo will be crucial today. I think they’ll have him more attacking minded and have Mac stay like the 5.

          Only time will tell but I’m feeling confident with our finishing today.

  22. Almost 12 hours… por la semifinal vamos!

    Tactically it might be a tough game, I hope everyone did their homework. De Jong especially they need to keep off the ball and prevent him from doing those spins or beating markers because if he beats a player or two the Netherlands will end up with a numerical advantage in the counter attack and he’s a great passer too. Really good player, hats off. Player to player though I think we are superior most of the time.

    @Choripan those videos you shared of Dybala make me think — especially the one where he made that run off of Tammy Abraham — that having a striker with good link up play ahead of him could make him more dangerous and potentially get more out of him if he’s to play alongside Messi. In terms of runs, I said he wasn’t a runner, and now I realize that he’s not necessarily a player who makes runs to create space or wait for a long ball (like a nine or winger essentially, just always active in the opposition’s defensive line and trying to remain onside), but with an opportunistic moment or link up with the striker he does make good runs. In that regard I do question who would be a better pairing, Lautaro or Alvarez? One thing’s for sure, if we play Dybala, Alvarez/Lautaro, Messi, and Di Maria then we get into a “fantastic four” situation El Principe described and I don’t even want to being listing the reasons why we probably should avoid that now. Still, I want to see Dybala off the bench with a suitable striker especially if Di Maria is subbed off. I think that if he’s given a good enough role he can interchange with Messi just fine. Tomorrow we have chances of going into extra time (just by considering the strength of the rival and the fact we may try to play it safe throughout the match), maybe someone of his quality to salvage a goal could be useful. About the pressing thing the more I think about it the more I realize I’ve heard it here only. He certainly isn’t a presser by nature but if Scaloni tells him to press, defend, even his body on the line I’m sure he will. He’s younger and more athletic than Messi at the moment and he’s not a diva that thinks he’s too good for pressing. I do give Scaloni the benefit of the doubt and I believe he’s honest when he says he didn’t see the opportunity to play him, maybe with some question marks about the Poland match but he knows more than me.

  23. I will keep posting this until after the World Cup final (yes, I’m speaking out in faith..We will be there! Pray for the NT team guys… I can’t sleep lol)!

    What is the next “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED???”

    VAMOS ARGENTINA !!!

    Cuti will be a rock!
    Emi will be a Giant!
    DePaul will be an engine!
    DiMaria will celebrate with the heart gesture, symbolic love of all Argentine fans WORLDWIDE!
    Dybala will have his moment with his signature celebration!
    Enzo will get his chance and he will shine!
    Paredes will finally have one of his rocket shots on target!
    Alvarez will become the 9th Wonder of the World!
    Lautaro will set a record!
    Even MacAllister will be KEY and he will unlock defenses!
    Every sub will play like a starter!
    Messi will hold the trophy when it’s all set and done!
    In every major city in Argentina, the confetti will rain sky blue and white!
    Babies will be born 9 months from now!
    Broken marriages restored! “What were we arguing about again?”
    The world will sing a new song for Argentina!
    CR7 will sing don’t cry for me Argentina!

    Here in Mundo the troll, the agitator, the opinionated, the hater, and the fanatic will be in harmony and we’ll realize that we all loved our national team all along!

  26. Very crucial match against Netherlands… i wonder how come our players lacks fitness whereas dutch players are all fit to play! Hope we win and have bragging rights.

    • Thats what matters most… fitness and diet are the important thing in modern football, we need to be fit throughout the tournament… Afa seriously have to think about it…inury to locelso, nico, adm, depaul will be a huge factor in results outcome this wc. Praying for the positive result against dutch.

    • I think our fitness issues that we entered the tournament with have somewhat subsided. After those awful couple of weeks where everyone was dropping like flies and I was terrified to check the news every morning I woke up, it just stopped. After the KSA game players got into better form and rhythm. We have played four matches after all. Of course the Di Maria thing happened but that was just a muscle overload and he has been training fully for a few days and gotten nine days rest. I think the diet thing is a bit of a myth, it’s silly for us to assume that they professionals don’t have one. They obviously have a strict diet. There was news of an asado just two times. Im no doctor but I don’t think that’s the cause of everything.

      • Whatever the reason, comapring with other teams, we have a big inury list (major or minor). In 2014, ADM’s injury cost us a WC. Hope things turns around this term. 🇦🇷 🇳🇵 best wishes from Nepal.

        • I think we have more injuries than others but note that Brazil have completely lost Telles, Jesus, and have had a few other worries, and France much more. Anyway I hope Di Maria stays fit because like you say he’s vital

          • Super tough game their defense is a rock that’s the biggest challenge. I think messi will be completely mark out of the game Alvarez and dimaria needs to score today or even someone from midfield.

      • > I think the diet thing is a bit of a myth, it’s silly for us to assume that they professionals don’t have one. They obviously have a strict diet. There was news of an asado just two times.

        This one cracks me up. The armchair medical experts and dietitians are at it again 🙂
        AFA is a long established organization aiming to maximize the health of players with world class physios, health specialists, dietitians, medical advisors, etc. They obviously know what they’re doing when it comes to diet. The top stars also have their own personal food regiments and dietitians.

  27. @sorinxcrespo

    I keep watching the 55 min stream with Kun, Messi, Papu, De Paul, and Paredes.

    For those that missed it, this version has english subs.
    It’s absolutely hilarious and a good way to take your mind off tomorrow’s game.

    youtube.com/watch?v=b1Qe0HtcygE

  28. So today is the D Day…. Lets hope that we carry on our march towards the trophy.

    Whatever the scoreline whoever plays. Just win and keep the dream alive.

  30. Both squads are very strong with the best players in the world spread across 3 lines and one of the best coaches in the world. The whole team will compete with the highest spirit and will compete as a united team. Álvarez is in good form with Leo and Di Maria, in midfield with MacAllister, Enzo can shoot from long distance. We will make good use of the opportunities created. Predict a 3-0 win

        • Lautaro was so pissed on himself when he missed that easy chance last game. It was showing on his face; as if cursing his bad luck.. he knew he isn’t what he used to be. Hopefully he gains that mental strength today and scores.

        • Its not just injury, but he has a valid great goal wrongly disallowed by VAR(zil) , and that’s certainly kind off kills his confidence. The fact that Julian is now scoring goals means he feels even more under preasure.

          Remember that Higuain didnt score any in 2014 , except in quarterfinal, so I wont write out Lautaro.

  32. Barring injury, Scaloni is riding with Dimaria all the way now. ADM was clearly rested as they felt they could likely take Australia without him. Now it’s down to the QF and there will be no rest. ADM will play until his legs fall off. Ned will have to decide who to mark closely…giving Messi or ADM too much time can be suicidal for Ned

  33. With all the talkings from both sides and the history between these two teams, I’m afraid that this game will be overly physical with lots of yellow or red cards.

  36. I truly feel it in my bones, this is our year. I know we’re all nervous and anxious; but trust this coaching staff and this team.

    It’s now or never.

    AGUANTE ARGENTINA

  37. I’m not sure what is going on with our players and Van Gaal, but both DePaul and DiMaria have made some comments about him and the Dutch that makes me think they really don’t like him and want to send him packing. It’s worthy to say that I have never heard our players say anything negative about an opponent in recent memory so there is something here.
    Also, all the reports are stating that there have been over 50,000 tickets sold to Argentine supporters and 2,000 to the Dutch. I am not sure how true this is, but if it is accurate this should feel like a game in Argentina with lots of fan support and a rocking stadium.

  39. Scaloni was furious that there been leakage of info about the team in press. He said how do they know Paul had a knock… that the training was behind close door. It is like we have some mole in how camp. Honestly I am not happy too, we have been seeing so many leakages like that ever since the competition began. I hope whoever is doing those shit will be caught. My concern right now is that I hope our game plan has not been compromised. The only problem we have is that we are our own problem. There is no unity at all. After all we’ve been through we are still seeing things like this… when we are at crucial stage of the competition.
    Scaloni needs to control his camp, we don’t need things like this happen again.

    • It sure is. can barely contain myself with enthusiasm, anxiety, confidence, and excitement!

      VAMOS!!!!! Vamos pulga! Vamos Argentina
      VAMOS!!!!! Vamos pulga! Vamos Argentina
      VAMOS!!!!! Vamos pulga! Vamos Argentina

        • Totally agree! I have a feeling not much sleep is in my future.

          Will watch the first game in peace but around an hour before game I’ll probably start to panic with nerves! Let’s go boys.

          I couldn’t have asked for a better line up . The second 3-5-2 would be decent if we’re up 2-0 and about 70th minute. As SorinxCresp0 said, having too much defense is just asking for the opponent to come at us. Attacking sometimes is a defensive strategy

          Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez and Di María

          I should add I would mind Martinez instead of tiag. I think he could fill any defensive role. He wouldn’t go up as much but Enzo could play wider on the middle

  41. Apparently Van Gaal is a genius bc he plays with wingbacks and counterattacking style. Not really revolutionary.

    They were outplayed by a Mane-less Senegal in the second half of that game and thoroughly outplayed by Ecuador the entire game. I think it was 15 shots to 2.

    Dont let an American coach completely out of his depth make NED better than what they are. Argentina by no means has an easy time here, but I dont like all this talk that Van Gaal is a genius when their team has been average to this point.

  42. 50,000-55,000 ARGENTINA fans are expected to descend on the stadium tomorrow vs 1400-2000 Dutchy……………..Like Al Davis used to say, “JUST WIN BABY”.

      • I could see that. I would love to see dyabla play. Interesting that the coach said there hasn’t been an opportunity to use him but he could be a starting 11. Not real sure how to decipher that

        Someone called it out earlier that dybala does play high pressure but I’ve never seen it. His transition, vision, and execution is on point though.

  45. Argentina needs to be focused, the scoring chances migh be limited, so they have to take advantage of them when they get them. I would also like to see Argentina try a few long shots at net. I know that Enzo Fernandez can score from distance.

  47. It’s not that my opinion matters but…
    We should not look for a formation to protect our lead, rather we should keep pressure up until end of game and then maybe we should think of adding a defender in back.
    But to sacrifice an attacker after we score a goal is asking for the opposition to start sending barrages of attack as we pin back and hope for a counter.

    • @SorinXcrespO Your opinion does matter. This platform is here for all to express our love, disappointments, and thoughts on our team.

      I agree 100% with what you said. I’ll never forget Riquelme when was taken off in 2006. Thank goodness we have 5 subs and 1 for extra time, but I expect (more like hope with strong prayer) this time we finish off the Dutch in 90 minutes’ time.

    • totally agree. Changing tactics may lead to drastic changes in performance and mentality. If we’re doing well with current formation, why does it make sense to break the rhythm when (as you say) pulling an attacker invites more chances for the opposition. It’s definitely a tough call because sometimes we can actually improve using a more defensive tactics but i do agree generally, that mainiting what’s working is a better choice.

      If we are to believe the 2 options above, seems like Scaloni wants to offset the decreased attacking threat of subbing Licha > ADM by also removing Tag > Acuna.

  48. Seems to be good starting taglia otherwise will be blown by the dutch right winger acuna is better even defensively he should keep taglia in the bench and dont waste a subs for him this guy is very dangerous for the defense i mean tagliafico. I would go with licha on his place if ever he dont want to start acuna really how could scaloni doesn t be aware of this

  49. If the game is to be decided by penalties, would Scaloni trust a penalty kick with Lautaro? I mean, will he be one of the first five? Considering his low confidence and the bad time he is going through, I think he won’t be among the first five.

  52. Not keeping Di Maria upfront would be another disastrous decision from Scaloni very much like playing slow Papu against fast Australian defence in the previous game. And if Di Maria plays, he should play a hard-pressing game chasing after the Dutch defence and goalkeeper.

Comments are closed.