Argentina

Winning the World Cup on Brazilian soil will be something special for Argentina, but actually more important is just winning it. For such a footballing nation, it really is embarrassing not to feature in a World Cup final since 1990.

Messi’s enigma

Since 2006, all Argentina’s hopes lie on the shoulders of Lionel Messi. First as an emerging winger for Barcelona, than a worldwide superstar – everybody expected him to guide his nation to the World Cup. And of course, Argentinian FA’s policy was to appoint coaches with Messi’s form in mind. There couldn’t have been someone who will try to teach Messi something – because nobody can. And not someone who would expect something more of him.

To tackle the first issue, in came Maradona. Because if there’s someone who could teach Messi something it will be Argentina’s legend. But he actually forgot about other players and other strategies and his team were duly eliminated in the knockout stages by Germany’s blitzkrieg.

Then, they appointed Alejandro Sabella, who thought outside the box and gave Lionel Messi the captain armband. Now Barcelona’s superstar felt really appreciated in his home country and really elevated his game for the national team.

Creating a team

Then, Sabella decided to focus on other parts of the team, which by now is already decided. Although there was much talk about calling up Willy Caballero of Malaga, who stopped Atletico Madrid in La Liga game, Sabella decided he already has a solid keeper – Sergio Romero of AS Monaco, who had a decent time in Holland with AZ Alkmaar but then moved to Sampdoria and stalled.

Comparing to attack, Argentina does not have such brilliant defenders. Pablo Zabaleta as always had a great season with Manchester City and his on much higher level than his teammates: Federico Fernandez of Napoli, Ezequiel Garay (Benfica) and Marcos Rojo (Sporting). They are all very solid and are very important parts of their club teams but you can easily get an impression that it’s not the level of Brazil’s or Spanish defence. They also have Martin Demichelis as the first defensive bench player.

Sabella usually chooses a formation with three midfield players – closes to defence is Javier Mascherano, usually playing as a defender for Barcelona but he feels much more comfortable in midfield, when he can shield defence and be involved in the game more.

Recent emergence of Angel di Maria as a midfielder for Real Madrid certainly helped him and Argentina. He’s a player that can fill spaces on the flanks and is mostly known for his great crossing skills.

The key player in midfield is though a relatively forgotten man in Europe – Fernando Gago. Playing between Mascherano and di Maria he will be responsible for both passing the ball, getting forward to support the forwards and also cover for any onrushing defenders. His time in Real, Roma and Valencia was at most average, but in Boca he feels much more appreciated.

Sabella uses three forwards with license to roam. Intuitively, you’d say that Gonzalo Higuain stays in the middle, Messi is on the right flank and Aguero on left, but they mostly all stay in the middle and the formation looks like more of a 4-3-2-1.

Playing style

Sabella wants to give his nation the World Cup it craves, and he recognizes that he needs to solidify defensive play. Argentina played a conservative football on the start of his reign, but now is more expansive, although it’s not the gung-ho approach like during the Maradona times.

Coach

Alejandro Sabella for a long time worked as an assistant for Daniel Passarella since retiring as a player in 1988. In 2009 he became a coach of Estudiantes la Plata and won the Copa Libertadores that year. Two years later he became a coach of Argentina’s national team.

Schedule and BETEGY predictions.

15th June, Rio de Janeiro: vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-1)

21st June, Belo Horizonte: vs. Iran (2-0)

25th June, Porto Alegre: vs. Nigeria (2-1)

With three win Argentina will advance into the knockout stages with 85% chance. They will then meet Ecuador in the Round of 16 (2-1), Portugal in quarterfinals (3-2), Netherlands in the semis (2-1) but will lose to Germany in the final (1-3). They have a 17% chance of winning the whole competition.