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#2 Ricardo Gareca outsmarts Jorge Sampaoli
El Tigre was his moniker during his playing days, and while it was Sampaoli who paced about like a caged tiger tonight, Peru boss Ricardo Gareca looked satisfied for much of the night with his team's performance. Putting aside their defensive output, what was impressive about Peru's performance was their tactical shape.
Sampaoli started the game with his favoured double-pivot of Lucas Biglia and Ever Banega, with the hope that, they'd be free to dictate play as Messi was man-marked. Instead, Gareca opted against man-marking Messi and instead focused his three-man midfield to swarm Biglia and Banega, forcing Argentina to either go back or spread it wide.
Jefferson Farfan and Edison Flores were auxiliary fullbacks, making plenty of defensive contributions in addition to the rare foray forward. Peru came here for a draw, and for a side that has the fourth-worst defensive record in CONMEBOL qualifying, keeping out the might of Messi and co. was nothing short of impressive.
