Group F: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

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Alik

Moderator
It wasn't Iran who was boring today, it was Argentina lacking the passion
In my view they did not deserve to lose
Yeah the 77% possession was because Argentina decided to play like Barca and not because Iran had no interest in the ball. :juggle:
 

GoobiePls

S♥NE
Nope. That picture doesn't tell what happened. Zabaleta got to the ball and cleared it and caught the iranian guy in follow thru. Not a penalty.

PiercingScratchyBobcat.gif


He got the ball where?
 
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Flavia

Guest
Maradona won the world cup by himself in 86. These past two games Messi looks like a man on a mission and has won those games by himself basically.

So to the Argies and to those other people not from Argentina but are some reason supporting them. I say this don't worry about the crap in defence and the crap in midfield as it seems like Messi is a one man machine on mission to win the world cup.

That's a myth. The 86 argentina nt was good, a solid team.
 

BerkeleyBernie

Senior Member
Iran don't get the credit the deserve. Really sad.

C'mon. ;) Iran did an excellent job defending deep and frustrating Argentina today, and created a few good chances, but the quality isn't there yet throughout the lineup. Speaking as a neutral (who enjoys playing pickup soccer with Iranians), most of the team on the pitch today didn't have the technical quality to string passes together. Besides clearing the ball aimlessly, they constantly lost the ball moving out of their half with either misplaced passes or naive take-ons. Even with their deep defending, they gave away several free headers in the first half that could have put the game away. I don't fault Iran's approach at all, the coach had his tactics dead right. But they are going to need more players capable of playing in the top leagues before they really have an impact. Let's hope they come back stronger in 2018.

One can't tell from one game, but their keeper impressed, and seems capable of playing at a top division club somewhere.
 

BarcaGirl

Active member
Fun Fact: The only relevant loss Sabella had in 3 years was to Venezuela, away, and they parked the bus. 1-0.

You can clearly see ball fly out of the way because of his touch.

+1 This is never a penalty. Queiroz can shut the fuck up.
 
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BerkeleyBernie

Senior Member
You can clearly see ball fly out of the way because of his touch.

They showed it in super slow-mo. If Zabaleta touched the ball, it was barely; the Iranian player kicked it and Zabaleta caught him. You can even see it in the gif, though difficult. Watch Zabaleta's kicking foot, and you will see the ball move a split second before he reaches it.

However, the ref has to be 100% sure, which is why he didn't give the penalty. Understandable, because the trajectory of the ball looks like a clearance, not a knock-on by the Iranian.
 
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beautifulgame

Guest
I don't think ARG created many clear cut chances from open play partly due to Iran's organised defense, and partly because of their final ball was lacking. Their best chances came from corners, both FF and Garay could've done better. I've always thought fab 4 system is a bit overrated, as both Gonzo and Kun like to operate in the same spaces. One of them needs to be dropped for Lavezzi/Palacio to stretch play, and provide more balance in attack.



Agree with that. But I've noticed you're always overly critical of Romero. I'm no fan, but he's done well when called upon. He has 'd some nervy moments, but you'll hard be pressed to find any keeper with a perfect 10 performance so far.


Agree with what you say Zanela about the chances and having both Aguero and Higuain. For long my preference has been to drop one since but primarily cuz neither mark, with Messi not marking that make for 3 given not marking and 2 is doable but 3 is the like where a good team will punish 7, the rombos (pressure, cover, balance) will be incomplete for one of the four. The other reason is like you day want ball in similar places which isn't a problem itself however, as long as they rotate but we know sometimes they don't, esp Higuain who wants to play "classic 9" too long in same space.

As per the chances, Higuain that asshole, your boy I know, showed why he can be so frustrating cuz e is a lazy moody guy that wants to play sometimes and not others . If he was sharp then he would have finished or created a better chance from the couple he got in first half. Yes, tech clearer ones from the first half.

As per the width, sabella knows but will not commit another two in attack because like I said the front guys don't rotate and provide support behind the ball so when it is lost they are assed out and 2-4 dm and backs are left to defend with desperation. Which is a death sentence. This is a problem similar I recent barca who could not attack in same way because vulnerability by lacking collective responsibility of ball, rotation and marking.
There is also the point that Argentina don't NEED to win today but they NEEDED to not lose. Four points in first two would not be bad even though 6 is expected and desired.
 

Chainsaw

Killahead
Credits to Iran for showing an unexpected spirit to give Argentina trouble throughout the match. Honestly I didn't expect that and when you look at the quality of their squad this performance was quite impressing, considering their first match was worth horseshit.

Once again another poor performance by Argentina. And this one was even worse because of the quality of the opposition compare to Bosnia. Argentina should consider themselves lucky on many occasions. Fernandez should be dropped, he is the weakest link in defence. I dislike Demichelis but if I was Sabella I replace Fernandez with him for next match. Fernandez is just an average defender and he get caught on speed and even in the air several times. The man just cannot be trusted.

Higuain and Aguero were both terrible. Sabella had to sub 'em off earlier for one more midfielder or one of Palacio/Lavezzi but he took so long to realize they are not meant to do anything useful tonight. Thx to Messi brilliance for avoiding an embarrassment.
 

Alik

Moderator
Iran attempted just 130 passes against Argentina, the fewest made by a team in a World Cup match since 1966.

But of course they deserved credit and the point. :rolleyes:
 
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beautifulgame

Guest
Don't line why the hate on Iran. Played quite well till end when they stopped working
 
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