WC 2018 | Round of 16 | France vs Argentina

sportsczy wrote:
I like our chances.  We win this one.  Argentina just doesn't scare me at all... not even Messi.

Famous last words

Myesyats wrote:Both teams have no midfield, Messi will be the key factor that pushes Argentina through.

France has no midfield offensively but defensively they definitely do and arguably that's more important in this game.

Everyone just 'hopes' for Argentina/Messi to win as they are the 'underdog' here but i agree with all of what Sports has written.

Still you never know. One brainfart moment from Umtiti and the likes and it could suddenly change things.

They've looked solid as hell at the back. Would be difficult to break down either way.

lol

Hapless_Hans wrote:

sportsczy wrote:
I like our chances.  We win this one.  Argentina just doesn't scare me at all... not even Messi.

Famous last words

If Sampaoli gets brains and plays Dybala instead of finished di Maria, then Argentina could have an extra creator in the middle of the park that could release Messi like Banega did today.

Attacks recklessly.. my sides. Team had one shot on target when they needed to score for almost all of the second half against Nigeria.

You don’t have to play to beat Argentina, just wait long enough for them to beat themselves, as they nearly did tonight.

Voted Argentina though

El Gunner wrote:If Sampaoli gets brains and plays Dybala instead of finished di Maria, then Argentina could have an extra creator in the middle of the park that could release Messi like Banega did today.

Agreed. Enough of finished Di Maria and inexperienced or mediocre players such Meza & Pavon. They can't handle such pressure. Sampaoli needs to find a way to accomodate both Messi and Dybi

Just checked the schedule

France-Argentina followed by Uruguay-Portugal on the same day(this Saturday)

Damn, that would be one tense day

Myesyats wrote:Both teams have no midfield, Messi will be the key factor that pushes Argentina through.

Pogba, Matuidi, Kante vs Mascherano, Banega (I assume he gets another start), Perez/Meza. Yeah, my money is on the French.

Seriously, if Argentina win this, this is definitely an upset. Argentina has nothing over France. Better forward line (even if you include Lionel), better midfielders, superior full backs and CBs, better keepers, hell, Argentina even have a numptier manager in Sampaoli compared to Deschamp.

If France lose this, Sports is not allowed to hype any French player for a year.

Art Morte wrote:France v Argentina in the round of 16, what a dream of a World Cup.

Agreed, France have a far better team than ARG yet they've been equally as unimpressive IMO.

Could easily go either way.

El Gunner wrote:If Sampaoli gets brains and plays Dybala instead of finished di Maria, then Argentina could have an extra creator in the middle of the park that could release Messi like Banega did today.

Dybala and Messi on the wings is asking to be counter attacked again and again.

Hapless_Hans wrote:

sportsczy wrote:
I like our chances.  We win this one.  Argentina just doesn't scare me at all... not even Messi.

Famous last words

I hope France crashes out badly, arrogant pricks

Have you seen Argentina's shape when they go forward and what they have to do to recover?  It's god awful.  Nigeria just didn't have the discipline that a European side would (and a very good one at that) to see that Argentina leaves highways open.

Just putting this game aside for a second... I'm still stunned at how badly the team is set up by Samp.  He completely ignores 1/3 of the pitch...  while the pressing isn't all that good (which is the only you can ignore that big an area MAYBE).  It's quite suicidal.

Sampaoli will play a very conservative team against France.

Doc wrote:

Myesyats wrote:Both teams have no midfield, Messi will be the key factor that pushes Argentina through.

Pogba, Matuidi, Kante vs Mascherano, Banega (I assume he gets another start), Perez/Meza. Yeah, my money is on the French.

Seriously, if Argentina win this, this is definitely an upset. Argentina has nothing over France. Better forward line (even if you include Lionel), better midfielders, superior full backs and CBs, better keepers, hell, Argentina even have a numptier manager in Sampaoli compared to Deschamp.

If France lose this, Sports is not allowed to hype any French player for a year.

Other than Mbappe... i love him too much lol. In all seriousness, Deschamps doesn't even need to be very clever to not bottle this one. Problem is that he's a numpty.

RealGunner wrote:Sampaoli will play a very conservative team against France.

Probably not a good thing considering they struggle to pass without being picked off consistently as is

S wrote:Everyone just 'hopes' for Argentina/Messi to win as they are the 'underdog' here but i agree with all of what Sports has written.

Still you never know. One brainfart moment from Umtiti and the likes and it could suddenly change things.

They've looked solid as hell at the back. Would be difficult to break down either way.

The only goal we conceded was on the Umtiti brainfart. Granted we haven't played attacking powerhouses... but nobody has beaten our defense yet.

What is it with Messi's passing being off too... i saw more of his passes picked off against Nigeria than i've seen all season.

Poll should be added to these threads so people could stick their neck out and vote on how they think it's gonna go

RealGunner wrote:Sampaoli will play a very conservative team against France.

Its a given IMO. Easier for him to approach this game than against an inferior opponent. I think he'll look to sit back and peg them on the counter.

Errrrrr nevermind!!!

sportsczy wrote:What is it with Messi's passing being off too... i saw more of his passes picked off against Nigeria than i've seen all season.

You noticed that too huh. His corners were absolute gash as well. Nonetheless, it's Lionel and I can't actually criticize him too much.

his passing has been off the entire tournament

In theory, France is superior in every way possible. Realisticaly, France is really suspect to an early goal. Deschamp's setup is not good for fast comebacks or scoring lots of goals. If Argentina scores early byt some brainfart or individual brilliance France would be in pain. In 7/10 games, France would win though.

Wasn't Banega taking the corners? In any case who ever was taking them were absolutely terrible.

Don't remember a single one which beat the first man.

Pavon must have slammed 6 crosses right into the first defender in the second half. It was miraculous

I believe it was Pavon anyways