“Messi determines the attack group of the Argentines to his taste”

Alexander Shmurnov, the main connoisseur of Latin American football in Russia, shared his expectations from the upcoming match Argentina – Mexico, which could decide the fate of Messi and his comrades. A well-known commentator suggested that an easy walk for the bianco-celeste should not be expected again.

– What do you think happened in the camp of the Argentine national team after the defeat from Arabia – were there mutual reproaches, or a constructive analysis of the situation?

– Of course, everything was quiet and peaceful. Reacting to a failed start is not the first time for them. At the last World Cup it was even worse – a point after the first two games. And in the match with the Croats (0:3) then there was a real failure. Now there is no failure, an accident. In general, the Argentines, even in the best of times, harnessed for a long time. In 1990 we lost to Cameroon, in 1982 we also started with a defeat from the Belgians.

– Do you somehow assess their situation too calmly?

– Why worry? Argentines are well aware that Mexico and Poland are no stronger than those teams that were easily defeated in the selection. And that it will not be easy, they are also well aware.

– How can their mentor Scaloni behave in such situations?

– I would not talk about it as a separate substance, it is one of the centers of collegial management. The second, of course, is Messi. He was invited to such a role, and no one is going to change this paradigm. On the shore they agreed to work together and for each other. Therefore, I’m sure there is no collective psychosis.

– From the outside, it seems that the level of the coach, who practically did not play for the national team and, by chance, led the coach, may raise questions from the players?

– None. There is chemistry with Messi – that’s the main thing. And that to him with all respect.

– Is the composition for a couple determined?

– Not just for a couple. There is a lot of coaching advice, Di Maria’s word also has weight. But the most important thing is that Scaloni perceives the situation without any snobbery, he certainly does not stick out ambitions. I doubt that Messi chooses defenders, but, of course, he determines the attack group to his taste. All the Argentine journalists familiar with the situation told me about this.

– Given all of the above, what changes should we expect in the base?

– Enzo Fernandez will certainly appear in midfield. There will be, I hope, Papa Gomez, who simply does not pull in terms of the level and prevents De Maria from running out to attack. And in defense, Lisandro Martinez should take the place of Romero. He did not go forward at all, and the lack of activity of full-backs became one of the main problems of Argentina in the first match.

– What new things can we expect in the essence of the game itself?

– Mexico will not allow itself to be cut like it was with Saudi Arabia. The team is angry, fast, sharp – in this way it looks like the Saudis. But much more technical, and meekly the ball will not give up. The Argentines will have to sweat to pick it up.

– Will Lautaro Martinez just show up on the verge of offside in the hope of watching for his chance, as in the debut meeting? Then the sky blue landed ten times in the offside position.

– This will not happen. The high defense of the Arabians suggested an offside trap. Now, with more support from the laterals, the emphasis can shift to the flanks. Unless, of course, they will fill the zones in time, and the opponents will be late ..

– If Argentina leads, will it not miss its own?

– Depending on when. Although even if this happens in the 80th minute, like the Dutch, Mexico will have time to create problems. In any case, the game for the favorites will be more difficult than the previous one.

– How do you see the development of events?

– Very viscous first half without goals. Then Argentina scores, and Mexico compares.

– Compares?!

– Yes. In the subconscious of the Argentines, there will still be a sense of their own, if not greatness, then superiority. None of the previous stories serve as lessons.

– A draw for both is not yet a tragedy…

– They will know the result of the meeting of the Poles with the Arabians. Then it will be clear what is a tragedy, what is not.

– Will one more serious today’s match France – Denmark indulge in entertainment?

– I doubt. Everything will be extremely pragmatic. With Australia tricolor liberated missed the ball, forced to play with an open visor. Here we will see cautious football, and the Danes will not be shy in the face of world champions. After all, they recently beat them 2-0 in the League of Nations. The French, taking into account problems in the defense, will not fly naked drafts either. I predict another draw – 1:1.