World Cup 2018 is now just a matter of days away and several major contenders have already landed in Russia after they completed their final warm-up matches.
But how are they shaping up? Which players are in form and will the head coaches be forced into any last-minute tactical tweaks?
Here, we review where Argentina find themselves ahead of Saturday’s Group D-opener against Iceland at Spartak Stadium:
FRIENDLY RESULTS
The beaten 2014 finalists have experienced an odd build-up. Two cancelled friendlies sandwiched a 4-0 routing of Haiti – minnows ranked 104th in the world by FIFA. This strange state of affairs means that head coach Jorge Sampaoli has had plenty of time on the training pitch to eradicate the mistakes from March’s 6-1 routing by Spain.
WHO IS IN FORM AND WHO IS IN A SLUMP?
Lionel Messi looks in fine fettle. Ahead of this potentially defining event, the 30-year-old got a hat-trick against Haiti and set-up Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero’s fourth. Boca Juniors forward Cristian Pavon impressed and could be pushing for a start. Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain came off after a goalless hour, making it eight scoreless internationals.
45 - Lionel Messi finished the 2017-18 campaign as the top scoring player in the Top 5 European Leagues (all competitions); netting one more than both Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo. Sensations. pic.twitter.com/Uw9BZ919K8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 27, 2018
TACTICAL TWEAKS
The serious knee injury suffered last week by West Ham United schemer Manuel Lanzini has opened up opportunity for the likes of Pavon in Sampaoli’s highly calibrated 2-3-3-2 formation. Manchester United centre-back Marcos Rojo is pushing to start, while Higuain should remain in the XI despite his drought. No other striker offers the same ability to hold ball up.
BURNING QUESTION
A torturous qualifying campaign and the humiliation in Spain were meant to be the the last indignities suffered by La Albiceleste. Yet cancellations of two friendlies, plus international furore caused by the Israel clash, means they now come into the tournament severely undercooked. Just which Argentina will turn up for Saturday’s Group D opener versus Iceland?
