How Argentina should line up against Nigeria

It has been an embarrassing World Cup for Argentina so far. After two games they sit on one point after a disappointing 1-1 draw to Iceland and a humiliating 3-0 loss to Croatia. Going into the final game against Nigeria the Albiceleste must defeat the Super Eagles and hope Iceland don’t get anything against Croatia to go through.

Finalist 4 years ago, there is a very good chance that Argentina will crash out in the group stage and for anyone who followed their qualifying campaign, this comes as no surprise. A Lionel Messi hat-trick in the final qualifying game against Ecuador sent the country to the tournament.

Argentina were abysmal during qualification and a moment of magic made the difference. But now in Russia, there has been no magic to bail them out. Coach Jorge Sampaoli has had an absolute nightmare so far as boss. This team lack an identity, style of play and any real sense of the game plan. This side are on the brink of disaster and it will take a massive change in everything from tactics to personal to save this team from embarrassment. Nothing he has done so far has been right.

And now everything hangs in the balance against Nigeria. Sampaoli has to get his team selection spot on. In both games, he has made some decisions that have been baffling. In the first game he played his favourite 4-2-3-1 but changed it to a back three against Croatia. Both games lacked the players to get the job done and the most frustrating thing is he could easily have changed things up and fixed most of his problems.

This is how I think Sampaoli should lineup his side against Nigeria in this must-win game. This lineup will tackle Argentina's biggest problems, defensive frailties, lack of forward thinking midfielders, not starting some of the squads most exciting players and most importantly, Argentina's biggest problem, getting the ball to Messi.

Argentina did not look at all comfortable in a back three so I’d start their more fancied 4-2-3-1.

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Goalkeeper

Franco Armani

It absolutely baffles me that Willy Caballero is the best goalkeeper Argentina have available to them, except he isn't. River Plate’s Franco Armani has been to many the best goalkeeper in South America over the past few years.

Caballero hasn't been a starting keeper at his club since he left Magla in 2014, playing only 26 league games in 4 years. And after his absolute howler allowed Croatia to take the lead it's time to change it up between the sticks.

Armani may not be the most well-known player to the European audience, but like I mentioned South American followers will certainly know who he is. Armani is much better than Caballero and should have started the tournament as number 1.

Defence

Gabriel Mercado

Argentina v Croatia: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Argentina are a bit light in the full-back areas. Sevilla’s Gabriel Mercado is best suited to occupy the right-back role though. Eduardo Salvio was played at right-back against Iceland, while Mercado was deployed as the right-sided centre-back against Croatia, but in a return to a back four Mercado should claim the right-back slot.

Mercado may not provide the same quality of attack Salvio can in the role, but he can provide defensive stability. Mercado is much more of a defensive fullback and seeing the state the Argentine defence is in at the moment they could definitely use some more bodies back.

Nicolas Otamendi

Nicolas Otamendi did not cover himself in glory against Croatia. The Croatian attack tore him to pieces exposing him for the poor defender he is. Pep Guardiola’s system go the best out of him because he hardly had to defend in a side that kept the ball for the majority of the game. But he is the best Argentina have to offer. Otamendi played the full 90 minutes in both games so far and should keep his place at the heart of the defence.

Federico Fazio

In a back four against Iceland Marcos Rojo accompanied Otamendi, while Nicolás Tagliafico was played in the back three, but I think Roma’s Federico Fazio should play alongside Otamendi. Fazio has never been a prominent fixture of the national team, making only 9 caps at the age of 31, but has enjoyed a successful few years at Roma.

Fazio has been a mainstay in the Roma side since his move to the Italian capital since his move in 2016 and has certainly impressed. Fazio is a big, strong, no-nonsense defender. He can provide the leadership needed to keep the defensive line in check while keeping an eye on his much more erratic, unstable partner.

Nicolás Tagliafico

Nicolás Tagliafico was the only player who didn't embarrass himself in the defeat to Croatia. Playing at centre-back in that game, the Ajax defender occupied his more natural role of left-back against Iceland. The only other natural left back in the squad is Cristian Ansaldi, but I opted for the 25-year-old Ajax man instead.

Tagliafico will provide a good attacking option down the left, but not at the expense of his defensive duties. Tagliafico is unknown to most people but earns his spot in the side with his decent performance against Croatia.

Midfield

Giovani Lo Celso

Now, this is where Sampaoli hugely messed up his selections. Javier Mascherano started both games in midfield, accompanied by Lucas Biglia in the first and Enzo Pérez in the second, the latter only making the squad due to Manuel Lanzini withdrawing through injury. All three players had absolute mares in the opening two games.

Mascherano is 34 now and way past it. He was slow and sluggish on the ball, while Biglia and Pérez were nonexistent. Messi had to at times drop all the way to the halfway line to pick up the ball because none of this midfielders could get it to him. When Croatia scored their third he was just outside the box. That's how deep he's dropping just to try and get the ball. None of these players belong at the top level, meaning Argentina need a complete overhaul in the middle of the pitch.

The first change comes in the form of PSG player Giovani Lo Celso. Lo Celso hasn't played a single minute in Russia yet, which is criminal. Lo Celso is Argentina's best defensive midfielder. The 22-year-old enjoyed a good breakout year in the French capital. Limited to a few starts and substitute appearance, Lo Celso still impressed with the small amount of game time he got scoring 4 goals and creating 3 assists in the league this season.

While providing good defensive skill, Lo Celso also has the ability to pick up the ball and drive forward, dribbling past a few or picking out a pinpoint pass.

Ever Banega

Ever Banega would compliment Lo Celso perfectly. The 29-year-old Sevilla midfielder has only played 36 minutes in Russia so far, coming off the bench against Iceland. In that time he did more than the man he replaced, Biglia, did before he was taken off. Banega was effective in moving the ball forward quickly and accurately to Argentina's attacking threat, especially Messi.

Having performed so well when coming on it was a massive shock to see him named to the bench again against Croatia. And without him the same problems arose, the ball wasn't being brought up the pitch high or fast enough, causing Messi to drop insanely deep too try and receive the ball. Banega forming a double pivot with Lo Celso would fix most of the teams' midfield problems.

Lo Celso would do the majority of the defensive work in the partnership while Banega acts as a deep-lying playmaker, transitioning defence to attack in the blink of an eye. And most importantly Messi won't have to drop all the way back into his own half.

Lionel Messi

FBL-WC-2018-ARG-TRAINING

The main man himself. Messi deserves so much more than his team has provided him. He has been yet down time after time again by his very average teammates. But that doesn't mean he has been very good at this World Cup either. Messi featured as a ten in both games and was anonymous in both games, again due to his team's inability to get the ball in dangerous areas.

Over the last few years Messi has started on the right for Barcelona but really roams around all over the pitch, as he should in this team too. If the team can pick up their game, Messi can have the platform to put this team on his shoulders and take them to places lesser players wouldn't be able to take them. He's done it before and he can surely do it again. Never underestimate the Messi.

Cristian Pavon

On the other flank should be Boca Juniors man Cristian Pavon. The 22-year-old started on the bench in both games but came on in the 75th and 56th minute in each respectively. In the Iceland game he made an immediate impact on the left turning the game around. He was a serious threat, beating his man and wiping in a great ball or taking on the shot himself.

He was energetic and dynamic in his play and hugely impressed in the short time he was given. And just like Banega, it was a shock to see him named on the bench in the following game. Ángel Di María would be quite a few fans' choice to start in this position, but Pavon provides something fresh and exciting for this team. Many of Argentina's senior players have been a massive let down over the years so now is the time to usher in a new generation of talent.

Paulo Dybala

And speaking of ushering in a new generation, Paulo Dybala should be the face of a new look, young, fresh Argentina. How Dybala hasn't started both games is beyond me, let alone only playing 22 minutes. Sampaoli has one of the world's most talented players at his disposal but refuses to use him.

Dybala will hugely help take the creative burden off Messi's shoulders, instead of relying on the likes of Salvio or Maximiliano Meza to do so. Dybala is one of the best players in this squad. He would instantly change everything. With 22 goals and 5 assists in the league for Juventus this season Dybala should be one of the first names on the team sheet and how he isn't is absolutely appalling.

Striker

Sergio Agüero

Sergio Agüero has started both games so far and should retain his place against Nigeria. One of the world best strikers at club level Agüero has failed to replicate that form for this country at the major stages, only scoring 1 goal in 10 World Cup appearances. But I still think he is better suited for this team than Gonzalo Higuaín.

With Dybala playing behind the striker it could be tempting to pair him up with his Juventus teammate, but Agüero’s pace and more agile movements would suit Argentina a lot more. Plus I can’t deal with Higuaín missing more sitters at crucial moments. But in all seriousness, both strikers offer something different and both are world class. Only fine margins separate them. For me it's Agüero, but Higuaín could easily slot in if need be.

Final lineup

It's now or never now for Sampaoli and Argentina. Everything rests on this next game, his future, Messi’s future and the future of Argentinian football. Will he make these drastic chance? Well, it's hard to tell. In any other situation I don't think he would, but with so much on the line, he may be forced into it. The entire squad and country seem to be against him now. Sampaoli is a smart man and good manager so this is very odd to see, but so of his decisions have been unacceptable.