“We can play with a line of four or five. Our way of playing goes beyond formation. We have already made a decision and will now have a pre-training session, which will show which team will play on Sunday.. Here are the words of Lionel Scaloni, present this Saturday at a press conference. If the coach of the Albiceleste team still leaves the doubts between several systems before facing France in the World Cup final, it is possible that an eleven will appear already. And for good reason, with the exception of “Papu” Gomez who injured his ankle, the Argentine technician has his entire squad.
Crucial from the start of the competition, like his two saves during the fateful penalty shootout against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, Emiliano Martinez must, barring a stunning conversion, start the Argentine goal. The author of a clean sheet against Croatia, the last barricade of Aston Villa, is ready to go into battle after Kylian Mbappe’s statements, he can be protected by a line of four defenders. Thus, Gonzalo Montiel, who contained Neymar well in the 2021 Copa America Final (1-0), offers more defensive guarantees than Nahuel Molina and can start as a right-back.
At the center of the Argentine defence, Christian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi are logically expected to start this final and Marcos Acuna should accompany them in the left line. Despite Nicolas Tagliafico’s very good performances at the World Cup, the Sevilla defender seems to be getting the better of Lyon. In a four-defender system, the scheme most commonly used at the start of the game in World Cup finals, the midfield could resemble an Albiceleste lined up against Vatterini, with one exception. After his touchdown against Poland in the group stage, Angel Di Maria, in fact, risks returning to the starting line-up.
4-4-2 with the return of Angel Di Maria?
Thus, El Fideo, who had a muscle injury, must find his right flank. In midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Rodrygo de Paul will form the double pivot and will be primarily responsible for responding to the physical impact put on by Aurelien Choameni and Adrien Rabiot since the start of the competition. Of all the opponents Argentina have crossed, the Blues seem to actually have the strongest workforce in terms of impact, explosiveness, and power. Already appointed to the position against the Croats, Alexis Mac Allister could find a role as an eccentric left midfielder.
Unstoppable against Luka Modric’s side during the semi-finals, the Lionel Messi – Julian Alvarez duo is finally expected to be at the front of the Argentine attack. Scorer of four goals in his first World Cup, the young Manchester City nugget will accompany Polga in his quest for the world title. Champion of an entire people, the Parisian striker, with 5 goals and 3 assists in 6 matches, will be sure to shake the French rearguard and thus lift, for the first time in his career, the biggest collective trophy in his sport. One thing is certain, if this Argentine XI is, for the moment, meeting expectations, Lionel Scaloni has already warned that his system can evolve according to the scenario. In a 3-5-2, 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, Argentina will have above all one idea: to win their third star and deliver Messi’s dream of a lifetime.
Possible composition of the bicellist: E. Martinez – G. Montiel, C. Romero, N. Otamendi, M. Acuna – A. Di Maria, R. De Paul, E. Fernandez, A. Mac Allister – L. Messi (cap.), J. Alvarez .
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