Let’s take a look at Lionel Scaloni’s tactical plan heading into the World Cup final against France.
Argentina’s defensive shape was interesting, especially the selection of Angel De Maria on the left hand side.
Argentina were often a 4-3-3 when defending.
Argentina’s defensive shape was interesting, especially the selection of Angel De Maria on the left hand side.
Argentina were often a 4-3-3 when defending.
Di Maria stayed high & pressed Kounde. This left him in dangerous positions on transition.
Alvarez covered Tchouameni & Varane.
Mac Allister tracked Griezmann with Tagliafico pressing forwards onto Dembele.
De Paul covered Hernandez & the space around Mbappe.
Messi was free
Alvarez covered Tchouameni & Varane.
Mac Allister tracked Griezmann with Tagliafico pressing forwards onto Dembele.
De Paul covered Hernandez & the space around Mbappe.
Messi was free
When the ball was on France’s Left Hand Side, Molina stayed close to Mbappe with De Paul tracking Hernandez all the way back into the defensive line.
At times Argentina looked like a back 5 with Molina infield & De Paul in a hybrid wing back role (but also in midfield).
At times Argentina looked like a back 5 with Molina infield & De Paul in a hybrid wing back role (but also in midfield).
Scaloni’s DEF structure meant that both France’s wide players were marked closely (& by defenders) & left Messi & Di Maria in dangerous attacking positions (below)
The system required defensive discipline (& a lot of hard work) from De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister & Alvarez.
The system required defensive discipline (& a lot of hard work) from De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister & Alvarez.
I like how Scaloni used Kounde’s deep positioning as an opportunity to attack & leave an extra player higher up the pitch.
He encouraged France to play into Dembele/Griezmann as Messi was free on the opposite side. Di Maria didn’t try too hard to cut off these passing angles.
He encouraged France to play into Dembele/Griezmann as Messi was free on the opposite side. Di Maria didn’t try too hard to cut off these passing angles.
In possession - in deeper areas - Argentina encouraged France to press & looked to exploit the space in behind their forward line (with Griezmann joining Mbappe & Giroud).
Di Maria held his width & was the target for switches of play.
Messi/Mac Allister outnumbered Tchouameni
Di Maria held his width & was the target for switches of play.
Messi/Mac Allister outnumbered Tchouameni
De Paul tried to play close to Rabiot & then drag him towards the ball, opening up even more space for Messi to operate in ⤵️
Argentina were narrow on their RHS (when Molina was deep) but had excellent width on the LHS
Argentina were narrow on their RHS (when Molina was deep) but had excellent width on the LHS
When Argentina had controlled possession (~ half way) they made a back 3 w/ either Fernandez or De Paul dropping into the back line. This enabled Molina to push forwards whilst providing a secure rest defence.
When Fernandez dropped they did miss a link in midfield.
Switches ⤵️
When Fernandez dropped they did miss a link in midfield.
Switches ⤵️
The back 3 often worked better when De Paul dropped down as Fernandez was then free behind Giroud.
France didn’t quite know how to pick him up. When Griezmann went Mac Allister was left in a dangerous position.
Fernandez finds Messi in this example (behind Mbappe).
France didn’t quite know how to pick him up. When Griezmann went Mac Allister was left in a dangerous position.
Fernandez finds Messi in this example (behind Mbappe).
And here is Fernandez - free - in the build up to the penalty.
Di Maria holding his width.
Tagliafico often pushed into Midfield which meant Mac Allister could play higher, dragging Kounde infield.
This tactic helped create 1v1 vs Dembele & the penalty.
Di Maria holding his width.
Tagliafico often pushed into Midfield which meant Mac Allister could play higher, dragging Kounde infield.
This tactic helped create 1v1 vs Dembele & the penalty.
I imagine this was the game plan for Argentina.
Argentina’s back 3 plus Fernandez has dragged Griezmann ahead of France’s Midfield line.
France are now a lopsided midfield 3 (with Messi in space).
Argentina’s back 3 plus Fernandez has dragged Griezmann ahead of France’s Midfield line.
France are now a lopsided midfield 3 (with Messi in space).
Molina drops down, attracting the attention of Mbappe, & Romero passes into De Paul.
De Paul plays to Messi (who was in space). Rabiot & Tchouameni have now been dragged over towards the LHS.
Mac Allister is high (inside Dembele) which drags Kounde infield.
Di Maria free.
De Paul plays to Messi (who was in space). Rabiot & Tchouameni have now been dragged over towards the LHS.
Mac Allister is high (inside Dembele) which drags Kounde infield.
Di Maria free.
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