Argentina is one of the most anticipated teams of upcoming WC. They are a unique team, not only with the story but with their game model as well. Let’s start with their high press, which can be in different forms depending on the game state and momentum.
Out of possession, they are aggressive, narrow, and structured, and they need that, because they need to carry Messi in this phase of the game. They really have this strong ‘bad boys’ vibe, which makes them quite intimidating during their press as well :)
They can press 8v7 or 7v6 with different formations, leaving 1v1s at the backline, or they may keep their +1 at the backline, close inner channels and push the opponent wide to trap with an aggressive jump from their fullback or central mid.
Among the title contenders, they are the toughest team to explain the structure in possession. This is because:
1) In offensive transitions, they are quite direct, they are not shy to play long/direct balls at all.
1) In offensive transitions, they are quite direct, they are not shy to play long/direct balls at all.
2) (And more importantly) Messi plays as player/manager on the pitch. With complete freedom, he decides where he should locate, hence his teammates. He senses the space/problem and digs there. Here is Messi’s heat map from the last 3 qual games he played, tells how much he roams.
The communication btw players is so high that everybody finds their new position regarding Messi’s. Messi decides he needs to join build-up, De Paul pushes high. Messi decides he needs to stay wide, Di Maria sits next to Lautaro.
Everything can be so dynamic that makes it so hard to tell who is playing where unless you freeze your screen. But every time you freeze you may see a new structure with players locating at different positions with different numbers at each line.
These, of course, add a different type of fluidity compared to what we are used to in modern football and make them quite unpredictable in offense.
I have two concerns about them;
1) Lack of competitive games they played recently. Among the games they recently played, only the Italy game could serve as a reference for how they are going to play in World Cup against strong opponents.
1) Lack of competitive games they played recently. Among the games they recently played, only the Italy game could serve as a reference for how they are going to play in World Cup against strong opponents.
2) Lack of width in offense. Everything happens in small pockets. They intentionally don’t want to use wider areas because it suits their directness, but this may mean they can struggle against teams using 3-CB formations or 442 diamonds with high discipline.
That’s why I am concerned about their R16 and QF, where they may play against France or Denmark, and Netherlands. But you know, we are talking about Messi and some extremely committed footballers looking like nobody else can desire to win this tournament as much as them.
Apart from everything, Argentina is the most retro team of the tournament (in a VERY positive way). So anybody looking for some football nostalgia at its best could easily fall in love with this team.
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