Our friends became active as part of our tradition to World-cup. World-cup 2018 hosted in Russia made it easy for us to follow. I remember my World-cup 2014 early morning match viewing from Hyderabad. This was my first WC after moving to Bangalore. Recollects me of the childhood days where my dad took us to watch 1992-93 Santhosh Trophy at Ernakulam where I vaguely remember I.M. Vijayan & Papachan playing. The first paper suncap I ever got was from there :) Collecting the kerala team jersey & unbound number of football we played esp. around the book depot where the current LIC building in Aluva is located.
Coming to the World-cup 2018, most of the Argentina team had a weak team esp. Only reliable scorer on Messi & there was some aggressive formations attempted this time. During the first two matches between Iceland & Croatia which resulted in a narrow margin for Argentina to qualify for the round 16.
Post 3-0 loss against Croatia, there was a major critique floating around. A great come back for the game with Nigeria & it was evident in the way preparations was going.
An extra-ordinary 3-touch goal from Messi just mesmerized the world! Truly world class!!!
The round 16 match with France was a knock out & Argentina gave a great fight but lost the match at 4-3.
All through out the game I was concerned for the issues team has with the game!
Defense was weak esp. because of the wrong formations & lack of great players. The substitution of Federico Fazio for Marcos Rojo in the last game wasn't a great choice because Fazio couldn't contain Mbappé multiple times & resulted in goals. Fazio also made a huge mistake which Griezmann nearly missed. Showed the lack of great defenders & substitution.
Midfield wasn't able to create spaces & connect with offense. Lacked speed! Mascherano had made ton of mistakes at this level & I felt he should me more of a defender than at mid-field.
Offense isn't converting with great finish. Most of them are under pressure! Above all, the body language of the Sampaoli (Coach).
All put together I felt the team wasn't prepared well & Sampaoli also didn't have enough time to form the team esp. focused to play against the opponent. Mascherano, Rojo, Otamendi, Biglia, Di Maria, Perez, Higuain, Messi & Aguero (9-players) in the team selected for World-cup 2018 has been playing since ~10 years. The team needed more dynamic formation & speed!
Also I hate to compare players or teams but Messi vs. Ronald or Messi vs. Maradona kept coming in. South America has natural players. Convergence vs. The Middle Income Trap: The Case of Global Soccer touches on some of the key aspects around this. Europe being the front & center with plenty of cash will continue to generate more & more kids with great skills. South America respects football & there are more kids coming into the forefront still. The opportunity to play in those leagues will help them lead a great life, learn new skills & bring that back to their own nation!
Unlike the era of Maradona the skills & technology is getting democratized resulting in competent players all across!
FiveThirtyEight’s interactive tool helped me to get the below. Don't use this to compare it against Maradona rather see how both are unique in their own ways!
I wish the great player Messi to get the World-cup & feel really sorry for him! Some sort of respect started to creep for Sampaoli based on the news that he hasn't been making decision all alone. If the news is true, it takes a great heart to work the way Sampaoli has worked with the team!
Hope the team find great players & prepare really well for the next World-cup!
Coming to the World-cup 2018, most of the Argentina team had a weak team esp. Only reliable scorer on Messi & there was some aggressive formations attempted this time. During the first two matches between Iceland & Croatia which resulted in a narrow margin for Argentina to qualify for the round 16.
Post 3-0 loss against Croatia, there was a major critique floating around. A great come back for the game with Nigeria & it was evident in the way preparations was going.
Marcos Rojo: "After the match against Croatia, we were more united than ever. This goal is for my family and for this group that deserves it. Vamos Argentina!" pic.twitter.com/B1EgTW75QI— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 26, 2018
An extra-ordinary 3-touch goal from Messi just mesmerized the world! Truly world class!!!
The round 16 match with France was a knock out & Argentina gave a great fight but lost the match at 4-3.
All through out the game I was concerned for the issues team has with the game!
Defense was weak esp. because of the wrong formations & lack of great players. The substitution of Federico Fazio for Marcos Rojo in the last game wasn't a great choice because Fazio couldn't contain Mbappé multiple times & resulted in goals. Fazio also made a huge mistake which Griezmann nearly missed. Showed the lack of great defenders & substitution.
Midfield wasn't able to create spaces & connect with offense. Lacked speed! Mascherano had made ton of mistakes at this level & I felt he should me more of a defender than at mid-field.
Offense isn't converting with great finish. Most of them are under pressure! Above all, the body language of the Sampaoli (Coach).
All put together I felt the team wasn't prepared well & Sampaoli also didn't have enough time to form the team esp. focused to play against the opponent. Mascherano, Rojo, Otamendi, Biglia, Di Maria, Perez, Higuain, Messi & Aguero (9-players) in the team selected for World-cup 2018 has been playing since ~10 years. The team needed more dynamic formation & speed!
Also I hate to compare players or teams but Messi vs. Ronald or Messi vs. Maradona kept coming in. South America has natural players. Convergence vs. The Middle Income Trap: The Case of Global Soccer touches on some of the key aspects around this. Europe being the front & center with plenty of cash will continue to generate more & more kids with great skills. South America respects football & there are more kids coming into the forefront still. The opportunity to play in those leagues will help them lead a great life, learn new skills & bring that back to their own nation!
Unlike the era of Maradona the skills & technology is getting democratized resulting in competent players all across!
FiveThirtyEight’s interactive tool helped me to get the below. Don't use this to compare it against Maradona rather see how both are unique in their own ways!
I wish the great player Messi to get the World-cup & feel really sorry for him! Some sort of respect started to creep for Sampaoli based on the news that he hasn't been making decision all alone. If the news is true, it takes a great heart to work the way Sampaoli has worked with the team!
Hope the team find great players & prepare really well for the next World-cup!