They do have Messi.Argentina are such an absurd team. A few finals papered over the cracks. Look at that challenge. Everyone goes mental playing for them. They're the international version of us but worse.
They have no shape, most of the time you look at how players are positioned and it's hard to believe they are professional footballers at all.People will blame Messi for this but this team has no midfield whatsoever
On paper yes, on the pitch Argentina beating Qatar would be an upset at this point.Qatar knocking Argentina out of the Copa America would be up there as one of the most hilarious results in football history
Don't know about worst, certainly the most embarassing one though.On paper yes, on the pitch Argentina beating Qatar would be an upset at this point.
This might be the worst Argie team in history
At this point canceling all future copas would be doing Argentina a favorDon't know about worst, certainly the most embarassing one though.
Don't worry, if they don't win it this year or next year they'll find a few reasons to create a few extra Copa Americas in the near future.
8 for the QFHow many teams go through then?
OK. The top 2 in each group together with the two best third placed finishers.8 for the QF
ExactlyOK. The top 2 in each group together with the two best third placed finishers.
There is hardly any difference between that penalty save and the one Scotland saved last night. Unreal.Pen incident - Armani saves it
Same mold as Rojo. Something very strange about their defending, even when they are in position they always try to floor the other players.Their striker is going nowhere with the ball, why would Otamendi lunge there ? I don't understand him as a player, always ready to throw himself on the ground. No defensive intelligence whatsoever
They're like the England "golden generation" was.Argentina are such an absurd team. A few finals papered over the cracks. Look at that challenge. Everyone goes mental playing for them. They're the international version of us but worse.
I really am puzzled by this Lunging like that should a defender's last resort.Same mold as Rojo. Something very strange about their defending, even when they are in position they always try to floor the other players.
I disagree with this really. You are obviously correct that Colombia are a far superior unit though. This is only ever really said after they struggle to perform for the national side and people look to play down the level of their players. Lo Celso is a good player and is still young. Paredes is probably overrated but he is by no means a poor player. Otamendi is a Prem winner, most countries would happily take him. Taglaficao (who I don't really rate to be honest) is a CL Semi Finalist. Colombia's full backs against Argentina both play in Mexico. The standard there is nowhere near Europe's top leagues. Barrios is playing in Russia and and Uribe is in Mexico as well. There's no way that Colombia are better than Argentina player for player. On paper they've got a better keeper basically. Centre backs is probably similar albeit I haven't seen much of Pezzella so Colombia might have the edge there.Ignoring the manager situation and poor as a team argument for a moment, Argentina simply have a weak squad bar a few players. Even the top players like Di Maria and Aguero have regularly not delivered for their country. The likes of Lo Celso and Paredes are also extremely overrated.
How many of the top countries have a weaker starting 11 than Argentina? Not many, if any! That's before the serious lack in depth.
Mentioned in the OP that this squad would struggle in the group stages and they have!
Stand by what I said recently, Argentina's three star players in Di Maria, Aguero and Messi and superior to Falcao, James and Cuadrado on paper but the starting 11 as a whole is not stronger whilst Colombia are a far superior unit.
Barely beat Nigeria toowe're well past the point comparing Argentina with top countries. they really aren't close to France, Germany or Spain, that much is obvious, but there's really no reason for them to be where they are atm. for example, Portugal and England also have two or three trully world class players, but they're well drilled teams and are doing the basics right unlike Argentina, but that's where continuity and good coach helps while Argentina have different manager every year and now they're literally nowhere, without identity and without manager.
I mean, you have tough to break teams that struggle with scoring (Uruguay) and you also have teams that can play good football but can be rather vulnerable in defence (Belgium, Croatia), but current Argentina can't score and can't defend desptie having some good names on both ends. they look like they aren't coached at all and that's their main problem. in most of their tougher matches lately they were destroyed as they were some small country from Africa. 4 goals vs France, 3 vs Croatia before that, 6 vs Spain and 4 vs Nigeria (with only Messi missing) etc. only a fool would think those team are that stronger then Argentina. those kind of losses happen simply because someone is doing a really shit job at managing them.
If you can't beat France or Spain, fine. most people would agree anyway that they're behind them quality wise. but if you can't beat Croatia or Colombia, then it's all on manager. Argentina have the players to put much more of a fight against such opponents, but they're simply terribly managed.
that too. I mean, you can be good or bad at attacking, you can be good or bad at defending, you can also be typical flat track bully team like PSG, or whatever... but Argentina isn't even that as they don't even destroy those lesser nations. they literally struggle with every aspect of game and that is only down to management. you simply can't be bad at everything. if you are, that is manager's fault only.Barely beat Nigeria too
Third place goes through too, they'll make it to the knockouts if they beat Qatar.Is there still a chance Argentina can get out of the group without help from Columbia ?
What argument is there against them being a top NT? They're ushering in a new gen but they're still very much a top side. One poor World Cup doesn't change that. They've lost to England and Croatia recently but also beat both as well.Depends on Japan and Ecuador. Honestly even 3 points might be enough
Btw why do people keep mentioning Spain as a top NT
well, if they aren't, who is? I'd say France is the best atm followed by Spain and Germany, and sligthly behind those two I'd put England, Portugal, Belgium and Holland. of course, unless your definition of top NT is the one who is a current world cup champion.Btw why do people keep mentioning Spain as a top NT
Paredes was playing in Russia until this year and not looked great at PSG.I disagree with this really.
On talent alone it's top 10, maybe even top 5 at a push. Belgium, France, Brazil, Spain, Portugal and maybe Germany. Some will put England in as well I guess.
What argument is there against them being a top NT? They're ushering in a new gen but they're still very much a top side. One poor World Cup doesn't change that. They've lost to England and Croatia recently but also beat both as well.
How exactly can you have them over England? Their last 3 tournaments were an embarassing group elimination, a dismantling at the hands of the least talented italian side ever in the R16(after getting beaten black and blue by Croatia in the group) and an embarassing R16 elimination against Russia(after struggling badly against iran and morocco). In the nations league they finished behind England. Their best player currently, in fact their only player who can be considered great at this point in time is Sergio Ramos. They're striker situation is as bad as Italy or Netherland, and they don't even have great midfielders anymore. There is absolutely zero reason to rate them above Belgium, Germany, England and Portugal, and at this point even Netherlands.well, if they aren't, who is? I'd say France is the best atm followed by Spain and Germany, and sligthly behind those two I'd put England, Portugal, Belgium and Holland. of course, unless your definition of top NT is the one who is a current world cup champion.
Well in Brazil VDB had a nightmare and his team selections in both games were horrific. Manager situation just prior to 2018 clearly had an impact.How exactly can you have them over England? Their last 3 tournaments were an embarassing
We were a decent team thanks to a truly great coach, but we had nothing in terms of top end talent. Pellè-Eder were our strikers, with freaking Parolo and Giaccherini in midfield.Well in Brazil VDB had a nightmare and his team selections in both games were horrific. Manager situation just prior to 2018 clearly had an impact.
Being harsh on Italy here, topped a group with everyones faves Belgium and went out in the QFs on pens to Germany. Spain deserved something from that Croatia game and the late goal cost them an easy passage to the final.
Tbf Spain had Morata, Aduirz, Nolito and Lucas. Not much better.We were a decent team thanks to a truly great coach, but we had nothing in terms of top end talent. Pellè-Eder were our strikers, with freaking Parolo and Giaccherini in midfield.
The fact remains that to consider Spain above the likes of England(more talented, did better in the nations league), Portugal(same story), Netherlands(maybe not more talented overall but with more top end talent and less limitations), Belgium(just plain better all around) is based on nothing beyond underserved hype and the memory of Xavi and Iniesta, who are no longer there. Damn, take a look at the 2012 side. The worst player in that side's starting XI was a 25 year old Cesc. He'd be the star of the team by a mile right now