The key to Germany winning will be to keep Messi & Tevez quiet. Argentina is playing well because their individual players are performing. Mascherano is holding down the middle, Messi is causing all sorts of worries, Tevez is an animal and Higuain is lurking in all the danger areas to punish the mistakes... It's working for them, but as a unit, they have not looked solid and well coached compared to Argentina teams of the past... If Germany can manage that, and move off the ball like they did against England, Argentina will be forced to really play football and prove themselves. Mexico could have been a good test, but the ref threw off the balance of that game.
The key to Argentina winning will be to avoid collossal mistakes at the back, and for Tevez and Messi to continue doing their thing...This is not a tight, quick moving Argentina TEAM that we're used to- this is an Argentina squad of incredible individual talent, all of whom are fortunately (for them) in good form and Germany has not demonstrated a defensive strength that can keep those guys off the scoreboard for 90 mins.
To kicker's point re: ARG's individualism.
I agree individualism is present, but I don't think this means they are not well coached per se. [Not overlooking your comparative statement re: former ARG squads, ... very valid IMO] Here's the thing ... I believe Maradona has recognized the natural advantage(s) these particular players bring and has opted (from a former mercurial player's lense) to harness this rather than fight it (Pekerman fought it; Passarella tried to restrict it; ... ent no one will miss Riquelme @ this WC aside from maybe Jai
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It explains the work and role of Heinze, Di Maria, Messi, Higuain, Mascherano et al ... but it also explains why Kun and Milito have had limited looks in. I think Milito doesn't fit the unorthodoxy as well, despite the fact that I'd like to see more of him because of his craft in the '18'. What DAM has generated is dynamic play predicated on unbalancing movements triggered by L Messi. Kun for me is more dynamic than Milito, but maybe less controlled and incisive than the preferred option.
They've taken very few long corners. Several if not most of the free kicks are played short to play Messi in in possession. Lots of times this leads to a successive foul and it's clear that this squad has many variations it has schemed off of set plays. All of these variations work around the hub of the individual cast members, and then they are moments like when Tevez decides to run riot. Di Maria too, but more subtly and sublimely. Combine these with an opportunistic Palermo or Higuain (mix of opportunism and intent), and it's instant combustion.
Yeah, they don't look tightly woven. Their hook is Messi. I agree. But what I've noticed is the seamlessness that occurs when the secondary cast enters the field of play. The plot continues unabated. Pastore (watch de ride); Veron (maintains the status quo). At times I see flashes of '86 ... momentary ones: do enough to win, do it early; add goals at leisure if available, and move on. DAM is a pragmatist. Winning= scoring more than yuh opponent, even if you concede. Recall the scorelines en route to the '86 title.
Nuff ppl decry Gabriel Heinze, but he's a BIG player for ARG. Big! And it's because of the dimension he brings as a maverick two way player... bear in mind, like Chile, this ARG squad selection features players who across the board could play more than one position ... explains why Pupi Zanetti is watching from the stands, ent?
Ties in to Jai's point as to the sense of picking starting XI's with a specific opponent in mind.
All ah that stated, I think Germany's coach will provide a stern tactical test fuh DAM IF the current player rotation as applies holds ... IMV an orthodox ARG starting XI sees Germany leading the game and ARG playing from behind. That's why I think Joachim Loew might be surprised by what he finds come match day re: individual match-ups.
Deep down maybe many of us want to see what ARG looks like responding to adversity before we gih dem added credit. They've added a lot to the tournament already. if Maradona wins the next game and falters after that he would have done no worse than his predecessors.