10 - Lionel Messi - v3

[Sumlit]

Argentina have played 3-5-2 a lot and it has been fine.

Would need to check but I am sure when played it in past Messi has played behind two strikers and not as one of the front two.

3-5-2 can still be an option but it has to be the right players.

This was a 5-3-2 which they have only played, I think, against Bolivia up in La Paz in that high altitude. Ended in a loss or draw if I recall.

3 CBs, 2 fullbacks, one of which is really a CB. and 1 DM. That was a defensive 5-3-2 without a proper midfield and with no true CF without Higuain. It was a disaster and it showed the first half.

 

[SeloBarca]

Really bad before the goal. Really have to move more without the ball.

 

[spark]

Argentina have played 3-5-2 a lot and it has been fine.

Would need to check but I am sure when played it in past Messi has played behind two strikers and not as one of the front two.

3-5-2 can still be an option but it has to be the right players.

It work against attacking teams like Colombia and Chile, if you are taking the initiative instead its a little harder. I think Perez will end up forcing his way into the lineup if and when Sabella revisits it.

 

[Kerrybai]

Hattrick against Iran, double against Nigeria. Think he'll finish the WC with at least 9 personally.

I assume he means 7 games, 1 goal per game.

 

[raskolnikov]

Totally called it.

Messi was absolutely brilliant in the second. He did amazing things when he wasn't isolated by that complete shit formation. This should be a huge wake-up call to Sabella, jesus, what was he thinking with those tactics.

Brilliant second half.

Better now than in the quarter final though, lets hope he learned.

 

[DonAndres]

I assume he means 7 games, 1 goal per game.

Nah he predicted Messi would score 7 in the WC total, he's rooting for Messi to make his prediction right.

 

[Kerrybai]

....and equals the great Ronaldo, no?

No the great Ronaldo has 15.

 

[CatalinR10]

Did anyone else jump up and celebrate like Messi?

fuck yeah I did

 

[JamDav1982]

This was a 5-3-2 which they have only played, I think, against Bolivia up in La Paz in that high altitude. Ended in a loss or draw if I recall.

3 CBs, 2 fullbacks, one of which is really a CB. and 1 DM. That was a defensive 5-3-2 without a proper midfield and with no true CF without Higuain. It was a disaster and it showed the first half.

I am sure they have played 3-5-2 more than that, would need to look though.

Still think they can play the formation with the right players.

 

[Flavia]

 

[Alarcón]

Ronaldo has 15 goals overall and 8 at one WC (2002).

 

[NotInHere]

look ar those long faces, they must really hate messi doing well

 

[Luftstalag14]

Did anyone else jump up and celebrate like Messi? I was relieved more than happy.

I pounded the floor like a crazy monkey.

 

[Sumlit]

I am sure they have played 3-5-2 more than that, would need to look though.

Still think they can play the formation with the right players.

You need proper wingbacks to play a 3-5-2 so you can exploit the extra players in midfield with pace down the wings. Rojo and Zabaleta are fullbacks, and not great offensive ones at that. 3-5-2 for Argentina is really a 5-3-2 because they've got no wingbacks capable of exploiting teams on offense.

That was an awful formation to play, specially without Higuain sitting in the middle of opposing CBs gathering long balls and playing one-twos with Messi. Messi was totally alone. Di Maria was totally alone.

I hope to never see that formation again. They weren't even defending well with it.

 

[Muttu]

Did anyone else jump up and celebrate like Messi? I was relieved more than happy.

Oh, you bet.