Argentina were generally unsuccessful (marginally offside…) when trying to penetrate Saudi Arabia’s high DEF line. They might have been better playing Messi as a wide forward & having runners from Midfield.
Messi was often unable to receive, turn & play a through ball.
Messi was often unable to receive, turn & play a through ball.
This would have been easier for him in a slightly wider area (and he could have stayed higher up the pitch). Moving Messi wide would also have freed up space for a runner from deep.
Imagine Messi & Di Maria changing positions in the below example. Messi could drive inside & play through balls.
Another option would have been to switch Gomez & Messi so that both could play first time balls around the corner (with their stronger foot)
#Arg #FIFAWorldCup2022
Another option would have been to switch Gomez & Messi so that both could play first time balls around the corner (with their stronger foot)
#Arg #FIFAWorldCup2022
Argentina often had a strangely lopsided formation. Paredes dropped between the CBs & De Paul pushed right/up. This further reduced the space for Messi to operate in.
You can see the lack of midfield options. This was one of the reasons for the long-ish attempted through balls.
You can see the lack of midfield options. This was one of the reasons for the long-ish attempted through balls.
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