World Cup (2018) - Group D (Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria)

What you expect from a Juventus striker tbh.

Rebic is very lucky to stay on the pitch

The way Argentina are playing they wouldn't be able to win even against 10 men

this croatian numpty smh

Rebic ffs

What a pass from Modric though

Argentina just have zero quality in the midfield, when Messi and Aguero have hardly seen the ball it's clear where the problem lies.

Is Messi playing?

Is Sampaoli the worst coach in the world atm?

Ante Rebic is a great player but I don't know what the hell is he doing tonight

His performance in the DFB Pokal final against Bayern was superb

Scrappy game from both teams. Both should've had 1 a piece atleast. I'll be shocked if this ends goalless.

This is such a Sampaoli thing to do. Using wingers as wing-backs, leaving only three centre backs and putting a lot of strain on the side centre backs to cover space. It's easy for Rebic and Persic to get in down the sides.

And he's playing Enzo and Mascherano to protect the midfield but they can't get the ball to Messi at all.

Rebic

which trash team does he play for

BBC just said Messi has touched the ball 20 times, the only player with less is Aguero with 7.

Tells you all you need to know about the lack of quality behind them.

Cesc is a good pundit. He was right that future Arsenal legend Banega should be coming on


Take off these south american league players. They don't belong at this stage.

RealGunner wrote:Cesc is a good pundit. He was right that future Arsenal legend Banega should be coming on


Take off these south american league players. They don't belong at this stage.

Why Banega and Pavon didn't start is beyond me. Sampaoli is a fraud IMO.

Worst Argentina team i have ever seen. Coward and clueless. all passes are backward. there is nobody around they clear the ball into the stands. Only Aguero and Messi show quality when they get the ball. Others are below average players. Creativity in midfield is below 0

Banega is a pleb. He does no better than Enzo. Pavon is the one that should have started. I don't understand Meza at all.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

RealGunner wrote:Cesc is a good pundit. He was right that future Arsenal legend Banega should be coming on


Take off these south american league players. They don't belong at this stage.

Why Banega and Pavon didn't start is beyond me. Sampaoli is a fraud IMO.

They could yet come on and change the game. Not like Croatia are gonna defend for their lives like Iceland besides they look shaky at the back anyway.

I can't believe that was only 45 minutes. Feels like 3 weeks. I looked at the mirror and spotted 5 more grey hairs.

rincon wrote:Banega is a pleb. He does no better than Enzo. Pavon is the one that should have started. I don't understand Meza at all.

WAT.

In the first game he was the only midfielder showing anything.

Don't understand this post tbh

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

rincon wrote:Banega is a pleb. He does no better than Enzo. Pavon is the one that should have started. I don't understand Meza at all.

WAT.

In the first game he was the only midfielder showing anything.

Don't understand this post tbh

Because in the first game Enzo didn't start either. It was Biglia-Masche which was a disaster vs a team like Iceland. Of course when Banega came in he changed the game. Doesn't mean he is any better, or that he ever has been any better for Argentina, than Enzo.

flopnel mehssi at it again. He and flopmar are so gonna crash out of the first round this world cup.

Enzo, Masche and Meza all do the same in the midfield. Short passes to the side or back. There is no elaboration or verticality coming from these 3. Banega would at least move the ball forward, although I would also take Lo Celso or anyone really.

In fairness, Masche did put a few long diagonal passes, but that's it as far as midfield creativity is concerned.

I think Sampaoli is trying to get Messi more involved in the last third of the pitch, which means he isn't coming up to the defense to pick up the ball. In theory this makes him more dangerous when he does have the ball, but in practice he's not getting it at all.

Also just a reminder we have Dybala in the bench. I temporarily forgot he was Argentine, someone tell Sampaoli.

Bring on Higuain IMO

rincon wrote:

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

rincon wrote:Banega is a pleb. He does no better than Enzo. Pavon is the one that should have started. I don't understand Meza at all.

WAT.

In the first game he was the only midfielder showing anything.

Don't understand this post tbh

Because in the first game Enzo didn't start either. It was Biglia-Masche which was a disaster vs a team like Iceland. Of course when Banega came in he changed the game. Doesn't mean he is any better, or that he ever has been any better for Argentina, than Enzo.

rincon wrote:

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

rincon wrote:Banega is a pleb. He does no better than Enzo. Pavon is the one that should have started. I don't understand Meza at all.

WAT.

In the first game he was the only midfielder showing anything.

Don't understand this post tbh

Because in the first game Enzo didn't start either. It was Biglia-Masche which was a disaster vs a team like Iceland. Of course when Banega came in he changed the game. Doesn't mean he is any better, or that he ever has been any better for Argentina, than Enzo.

He was miles better than what Enzo has shone so far. AKA nothing.