WC Qualifiers 2018 - South America

[big_man]

It's always hard to describe where Messi plays. I'd call the Albiceleste setup 4-2-3 (Di Maria, Higuain, Kun), and then Messi wherever he feels he should be. Di Maria helps some with traditional midfield responsibilities, but his main job is attack on the left side. This is a fine attacking quartet. Lavezzi can rotate in quite effectively.

----------Mascherano-------

-------Gago-----------------

------------------------Di Maria
-----------Messi------------v
----------------------------v
Aguero-------Higuain--------v

Something like that basically with Di maria drifting between AM and LW?
That quartet, if in form is better than anything International football has to offer IMO. Spain can field Iniesta, Pedro, Villa and Silva but still not as dangerous I don't think.
It's so devastating that if in form, all they need is an average but functional midfield and defence to beat most international football teams.

 

[Raed]

So Maradona wasn't stupid when he tried the 4 1 5 formation. This isn't much different, just that Messi was a pussy and now he has grown some balls. Plus Tevez and Lavezzi weren't in exile (and I hope they remain there).

 

[big_man]

So Maradona wasn't stupid when he tried the 4 1 5 formation. This isn't much different, just that Messi was a pussy and now he has grown some balls. Plus Tevez and Lavezzi weren't in exile (and I hope they remain there).

-------Mascherano--------


---Maxi Rodriguez---Di maria--


Tevez---Messi------Higuain

I'm not sure about that. Against Germany, Maradona was playing with only one centre midfielder- Mascherano-who also happened to be the only one with any clue of how to defend among their front 6. The new formation by all accounts has Gago and Masch-both defensively sound central midfielders-sitting, while Di Maria or Messi play in a more familiar role of attacking midfield. Against Germany they were so easy to counter, even South Korea missed so many sitters against them, their win papered over the cracks and they then got found out by the Germans. This team is fairly more balanced I think, time will tell though

 

[Raed]

I am really honored that you have responded to my half sarcastic post and humbled by your serious and sound approach. Keep it up Big Man.

 

[big_man]

I am really honored that you have responded to my half sarcastic post and humbled by your serious and sound approach. Keep it up Big Man.

Well, that was a bit unecessary don't you think? In any case, if that's your attempt at sacarsm then you're doing a very poor job(and this quote is even worse).
I'm pretty sure this is a football discussion forum. Not too worry though, i'll play along with your "trolling" and remember not to take anything u say seriously next time.

 

[King Leo]

A "functional midfield and defense" is exactly what Argentina was missing in South Africa. Everyone knew they had the strongest attacking force in the world cup so that piece didn't change much. I'm happy to see defense is getting better and still have hopes the midfield can supply the quartet up front. Argentina has made great progress since two years ago and I know for sure that they will even get better once get more training together but the quality of the defenders is not close to the world cup needs. I tell you what is promising though: Messi's free kicks. You can win games with a weapon like that and the world cup is only 7 games... Maradona didn't have the greatest team when he lifted the cup in 86. Individually some players are also growing stronger like Di Maria, Kun aguero and Mashcerano and we can count on that as well.

 

[big_man]

A "functional midfield and defense" is exactly what Argentina was missing in South Africa. Everyone knew they had the strongest attacking force in the world cup so that piece didn't change much. I'm happy to see defense is getting better and still have hopes the midfield can supply the quartet up front. Argentina has made great progress since two years ago and I know for sure that they will even get better once get more training together but the quality of the defenders is not close to the world cup needs. I tell you what is promising though: Messi's free kicks. You can win games with a weapon like that and the world cup is only 7 games... Maradona didn't have the greatest team when he lifted the cup in 86. Individually some players are also growing stronger like Di Maria, Kun aguero and Mashcerano and we can count on that as well.

I agree with all that. You are clearly improving though because in South africa, with veron out you had a rubbish defense and NO midfiled, now your defense is still a bit meh but at least you have a midfield.
Sabella is making progress with the midfield by consistently playing two recognized midfielders in their natural position. Gago and Masch aren't world beaters but they are good enough to provide that functional base, with Banega instead of Gago midfield will improve even more.
Against a side like Spain they will need a more natural midfielder in place of di maria but your potential front six can get the better of any side if the defense can hold out. Defense is still a question mark but tougher tests to come.

 

[zanela]

Whilst the 'fantastic 4' experiment has been a success thus far, I fear the 2 man midfield(one of whom is Gago) will fall short against Europe's elite. Adding a Banega will provide more cover for defence, but also enable frequent supply to Messi. This will also allow the option of having an established game changer in reserve.

 

[La Furia]

As much as I like the idea of one of the "fantastic 4"s starting on the bench, the question is, which one? Higuian is by far the most disciplined and the only one who isn't a ball hog, Di Maria provides the most width and Aguero has the most talent besides Messi and when the two of them click it's near impossible to stop.

 

[Raed]

Well, that was a bit unecessary don't you think? In any case, if that's your attempt at sacarsm then you're doing a very poor job(and this quote is even worse).
I'm pretty sure this is a football discussion forum. Not too worry though, i'll play along with your "trolling" and remember not to take anything u say seriously next time.

Haha, i am seriously welcoming you here on board. Glad to have someone like you with your input. I was joking, and I was highlighting a fact in a stupid way. Maradona initiated this whole movement, he just used the wrong personel. It was deemed foolish and crazy but in fact all it did was just cross the very fine line between genius/ambitious and pure foolishness/insanity. This formation isn’t very different from maradona’s as he thought the energy from the wingers would provide enough defensive cover for a pinned back 5 and enough width to let the front 3 operate as needed. All sabella did was take out maxi and put in gago for a pinned 6 and let the fantastic four work their magic as there is a ton of it. Barcelona attack with 6 players but they can afford to as their defense doesn’t suffer waves and waves of attack because barca keeps possession…this will be far from ideal and might be exposed and just might be the only insane way of succeeding with this much talent congested in one area…

 

[zanela]

As much as I like the idea of one of the "fantastic 4"s starting on the bench, the question is, which one? Higuian is by far the most disciplined and the only one who isn't a ball hog, Di Maria provides the most width and Aguero has the most talent besides Messi and when the two of them click it's near impossible to stop.

Aguero and Pipita are your central strikers who best operate in same spaces. This system sends one of them outwide, thus limiting a player who could otherwise 've been freshly used for tactical variations. I'd stick with the successful DHM axis, and have Aguero come from the bench.

 

[numero]

cant wait for alexis vs messi

 

[La Furia]

Uruguay is playing an absolutely atrocious defense right now (Scotti and Victorino, really? None of Caceres, Lugano, Godin or Coates?) at a high altitude but this is still a disgrace. They ain't making the World Cup.

 

[Ode to Django]

Uruguay is playing an absolutely atrocious defense right now (Scotti and Victorino, really? None of Caceres, Lugano, Godin or Coates?) at a high altitude but this is still a disgrace. They ain't making the World Cup.

Is it a case of #free Coates?

 

[JonM]

I'm sad there isn't a "2014 WC Qualifiers - CONCACAF" thread so we could laugh at Canada losing 8-1 to Honduras in a must draw game