soul24rage
Senior Member
There are rumours that he will be selected in June, but I'm sure River Plate will try to reason why AFA since the Club World Cup is happening soon.
soul24rage
Senior Member
Looks like Perrone will be staying in Como. Good decision if it's made permanent. Rodri is coming back and they have enough squad depth and Perrone can use more game time.
Looks like Colo Barco is cooking in France. He played as a LB/LM for Boca, but I do wonder if he should be playing in a left side of a double pivot. His speed and physicality is a concern at the highest level to play as a fullback, but his ball control is insane and he is tenacious as well.
Also judging the talent that is popping up, I do feel that the 4-2-3-1 is the future for Argentina
Looks like Colo Barco is cooking in France. He played as a LB/LM for Boca, but I do wonder if he should be playing in a left side of a double pivot. His speed and physicality is a concern at the highest level to play as a fullback, but his ball control is insane and he is tenacious as well.
Also judging the talent that is popping up, I do feel that the 4-2-3-1 is the future for Argentina
soul24rage
Senior Member
Nico Paz. What a player. Reminds me of Kaka the way he carries the ball.
Giuliano Simeone. Had his fair share of criticism, but he improved a lot this season. He might be the fastest player in the squad
Both of them will be important for the national team soon, hopefully in the WC
Giuliano Simeone. Had his fair share of criticism, but he improved a lot this season. He might be the fastest player in the squad
Both of them will be important for the national team soon, hopefully in the WC
KingLeo10
Senior Member
Yesterday made me realize just how fortunate the Messi fans (and most Barca fans) were for the 2022 World Cup Campaign.
10 G + A, including huge penalties, clutch goals, amazing assists v Netherlands and Croatia in QF and SF etc.
The whole Argentine team never actually wilting to the immense pressure. CL semis is insane pressure already, but a World Cup every 4 years for a football crazy nation like Argentina is another level.
The smartness and pragmatism and coolness of Scaloni.
That save of the century by Emi v Kolo Muani.
Beating Netherlands and France in an epic 120 min contest each, on penalties.
A dream achieved that we should be grateful for.
10 G + A, including huge penalties, clutch goals, amazing assists v Netherlands and Croatia in QF and SF etc.
The whole Argentine team never actually wilting to the immense pressure. CL semis is insane pressure already, but a World Cup every 4 years for a football crazy nation like Argentina is another level.
The smartness and pragmatism and coolness of Scaloni.
That save of the century by Emi v Kolo Muani.
Beating Netherlands and France in an epic 120 min contest each, on penalties.
A dream achieved that we should be grateful for.
soul24rage
Senior Member
Considering that the WC22 was Messi's last ever chance to win the 1 big trophy that eluded him and that haunted him for more than a decade with the shadow of the great Diego Maradona looming over him and the fact that fans, press and teammates knew about this, made winning the WC22 much more special.
Although he's still young for a coach, Scaloni is already arguably one of the best national team coaches of all time. His analysis of his opponents is top notch and he was able to change the system multiple times while still retaining that Argentine DNA identity. The video below sums it up best
It's not just about Scaloni. Even the players are able to execute and remain calm and cool under immense expectation. There may be some Argentine players like Otamendi who make stupid mistakes, but the majority of the players don't make incredibly low IQ moves like Araujo and MATS and are able to cross the finish line.
Blessed to have Scaloni and this group of players. Hoping this era ends with a bang in the WC26.
Although he's still young for a coach, Scaloni is already arguably one of the best national team coaches of all time. His analysis of his opponents is top notch and he was able to change the system multiple times while still retaining that Argentine DNA identity. The video below sums it up best
It's not just about Scaloni. Even the players are able to execute and remain calm and cool under immense expectation. There may be some Argentine players like Otamendi who make stupid mistakes, but the majority of the players don't make incredibly low IQ moves like Araujo and MATS and are able to cross the finish line.
Blessed to have Scaloni and this group of players. Hoping this era ends with a bang in the WC26.
soul24rage
Senior Member
The June WCQ is happening in about one month time and Argentina will be facing Chile Away and Colombia Home. With Argentina already qualified to the WC and some Argentines heading to the Club World Cup, think Scaloni should only select players who are not going to the Club World Cup. With that in mind, I'm hoping that Scaloni goes with these 28 player selections (there could be possibilities that the participating clubs can buy some players during the special transfer window from 6/1 - 6/10).
GK: E. Martinez, Rulli, Benitez
RB: Maffeo, Foyth
CB: Romero, Senesi, Balerdi, Medina
LB: Tagli, Soler, Barco
RCM: Palacios, Dominguez
DM: Paredes, Barrenechea, Perrone
LCM: MacAllister, Lo Celso, Mastantuono
RW: Soule, Paz
FW: Castellanos, Dybala, Castro
LW: Almada, Garnacho, Benja Dominguez
I would go with the following lineup vs Chile Away
Almada-----------Castellanos----------Dybala
------------Nico Paz--------Dominguez
-----------------------MacA
Medina-------Senesi-------Balerdi-----Maffeo
-----------------------Rulli
Subs:
- Garnacho for Almada
- Soule for Dybala
- Mastantuono for Dominguez
- Barrenechea for MacA
- Foyth for Balerdi
GK: E. Martinez, Rulli, Benitez
RB: Maffeo, Foyth
CB: Romero, Senesi, Balerdi, Medina
LB: Tagli, Soler, Barco
RCM: Palacios, Dominguez
DM: Paredes, Barrenechea, Perrone
LCM: MacAllister, Lo Celso, Mastantuono
RW: Soule, Paz
FW: Castellanos, Dybala, Castro
LW: Almada, Garnacho, Benja Dominguez
I would go with the following lineup vs Chile Away
Almada-----------Castellanos----------Dybala
------------Nico Paz--------Dominguez
-----------------------MacA
Medina-------Senesi-------Balerdi-----Maffeo
-----------------------Rulli
Subs:
- Garnacho for Almada
- Soule for Dybala
- Mastantuono for Dominguez
- Barrenechea for MacA
- Foyth for Balerdi
soul24rage
Senior Member
The 28 players Pre-list has been released by Scaloni to face Chile Away and Colombia Home!
GK: E Martinez, Rulli, Benitez
RB: Molina, Foyth
CB: Romero, Balerdi, Otamendi, Medina
LB: Tagliafico, Barco
RM: RDP, Palacios, Nico Dominguez
DM: Enzo, Paredes,
CM: MacA, Lo Celso
RW: Messi, Paz, Simeone
CF: Alvarez, Lautaro, Castellanos
LW: Almada, Garnacho, Nico G., A. Correa
Positives
- Pezella being out is definitely a positive
- Inclusion of Nico Dominguez and Barco who has had a great campaign
Negatives
- Soule, Dybala, Senesi, Maffeo being excluded. Honestly, I don't see Senesi ever being included again if this is the case.
- Don't understand at all of the inclusion of established players going to the CWC like Messi, Lautaro and Alvarez
I don't know how many players will get cut off, but I assume it's 2 players.
For this upcoming October and November friendlies
October - The team will travel to China
- will play against the China national team
- the 2nd opponent is still yet to be determined
November -
- The team will travel to Angola to play the Angola national team
- The team will play in Qatar to play against the US national team
GK: E Martinez, Rulli, Benitez
RB: Molina, Foyth
CB: Romero, Balerdi, Otamendi, Medina
LB: Tagliafico, Barco
RM: RDP, Palacios, Nico Dominguez
DM: Enzo, Paredes,
CM: MacA, Lo Celso
RW: Messi, Paz, Simeone
CF: Alvarez, Lautaro, Castellanos
LW: Almada, Garnacho, Nico G., A. Correa
Positives
- Pezella being out is definitely a positive
- Inclusion of Nico Dominguez and Barco who has had a great campaign
Negatives
- Soule, Dybala, Senesi, Maffeo being excluded. Honestly, I don't see Senesi ever being included again if this is the case.
- Don't understand at all of the inclusion of established players going to the CWC like Messi, Lautaro and Alvarez
I don't know how many players will get cut off, but I assume it's 2 players.
For this upcoming October and November friendlies
October - The team will travel to China
- will play against the China national team
- the 2nd opponent is still yet to be determined
November -
- The team will travel to Angola to play the Angola national team
- The team will play in Qatar to play against the US national team
Last edited:
soul24rage
Senior Member
Happy Belated Birthday mister
soul24rage
Senior Member
A fun exercise that I've done is from the players selected for the 2018 WC, what would have been my starting XI (The squad selection was really bad. Player needed to be selected being not selected and with not many real CMs that can run)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_squads#Argentina
This is the starting XI that I would have chosen from the players selected
-----------------Aguero (30)------Messi (31)
Acuna (26)-------Banega (30)---Lo Celso (22)-----Di Maria (30)
Tagliafico (25)---Rojo (28)----Otamendi (30)-----Mercado (32)
---------------------------Armani (32)
Subs: Enzo Perez??, Dybala
I want some legs and energy in midfield to help conserve Messi's energy so Acuna and Lo Celso were definitely needed. Banega build up play was more needed compared to Biglia and Mascherano. Mascherano maybe had a role as a CB but never in midfield at this stage. Armani was in better form than Caballero so he would have been great.
Still don't think Argentina would have been 1st in the group stage as Croatia had an incredible team, but would have shown a much better performance in the whole tournament.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_squads#Argentina
This is the starting XI that I would have chosen from the players selected
-----------------Aguero (30)------Messi (31)
Acuna (26)-------Banega (30)---Lo Celso (22)-----Di Maria (30)
Tagliafico (25)---Rojo (28)----Otamendi (30)-----Mercado (32)
---------------------------Armani (32)
Subs: Enzo Perez??, Dybala
I want some legs and energy in midfield to help conserve Messi's energy so Acuna and Lo Celso were definitely needed. Banega build up play was more needed compared to Biglia and Mascherano. Mascherano maybe had a role as a CB but never in midfield at this stage. Armani was in better form than Caballero so he would have been great.
Still don't think Argentina would have been 1st in the group stage as Croatia had an incredible team, but would have shown a much better performance in the whole tournament.
Temptation
Well-known member
Like this idea because of its similarity to draft challenges which I love.
But if you're gonna do this, do it properly. What about system, tactics and substitutions?
Do you trust Acuna at LM? He's probably a winger who got converted to FB but is he good enough as an LM?
Fazio was playing for Roma in 2018 IIRC. Should he start over Reckless Rojo? He's tall and will dominate in the air in both the boxes.
The midfield 2 looks rather weak defensively. GLC is great at sliding tackles but doesn't have positional sense defensively. I would move him to RM and Di Maria to LM.
soul24rage
Senior Member
Tactics is self explanatory with Scaloni-ball. Follow the same tactics as that of the Copa America 2021 and the Finalissima 2022.
- Acuna is fine as a LM. Just need him to do the running.
- Fazio is fine as a squad player. He's just incredibly slow. I don't mind Otamendi as LCB and Mascherano at the RCB, but not much option at CB tbh.
- Midfield is the best considering this squad. Lo Sexo has played as the more advanced midfield in a double pivot before; he just can't play as the defensive midfield. I would only play Di Maria at LM under a very few circumstances.
Temptation
Well-known member
I hate what happened to GLC's club career.
He was amazing at Spurs under Jose but then his career got derailed.
I wish he played at the elite level. One of my favourites.
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