Argentina - Adonde Estamos

Two match days in for Argentina, and us and the rest of the world, are still unsure about where we are.

Are we building? Are we faltering? Que mierda pasa!!!

What is not in doubt, is that is if we get the ball to Leo, in the right area, then we are good going forward.

Although we have looked a little stale going forward over the 2 matches, I have no doubt it will improve.

In the first match I think Sabella experimented with the 5-3-2/3-5-2 to see if we could get the same forward movement and fluidity with the added protection of 3 central defenders. It did look more secure, and certainly will be an option against the heavier teams later on, in particular say if we are leading a knockout match and need to close up a bit.

However, we completely lost fluidity going forward. Messi had to drop too far to receive the ball, and then he only had Aguero ahead of him. This scenario is far too easy to defend, allows the opposition to literally put 3 or 4 around him. It's clear this can't be the set up in matches we are expected to dictate and go find the goal.

To dictate and find the goals we need the 4-3-3 from qualifying. The problem is though,  the 4 at the back are very suspect. Iran created at least 3 good chances, and they weren't exactly piling numbers forward. I worry when I think of a European counter-attack coming at that.

Going forward today I think Gago and Mascherano moved the ball far too slow and not enough. They should have and needed to dominate the game to provide the room ahead for Messi. They have to be the Xavi for Argentina, as they were in qualifying. But they passed too slow, not enough and did not see Leo often when he had a metre on his man, and thats all he needs.

Ultimately I think the key going forward will be the men around Leo.

If they can play their part, it will give him more room to do what he does. He also has to give away some of the responsibility, to allow them to play their part. Too often against Bosnia it was Leo vs 11. We won't win the end goal like this, despite it working so far.

At the back, it's obvious we don't have the quality. Sabella will have to tinker and tactika finely to get it right. I'd say in the knockout stages, expect the 3 central defender defence to come back. In particular in the latter stages of matches if we are already ahead. Leo on the counter will do just fine to close things out.

So, adonde estamos?.. Que se yo, pero VAMOS CARAJO!!!