Matchday Three Group D World Cup 2018
Argentina vs Nigeria
Saint Petersburg Stadium
Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 1:00 am local time
Group D fight between Argentina national team counter Nigeria will be highly anticipated lovers of world football. The game deserves labeled the game of life and death because it determines the fate of both teams.
Nigeria are currently collecting three points to qualify for the last 16 if drawing a draw, then in other games, Iceland did not achieve victory cons Croatia with a large number of goals. So, they also need a victory to guarantee a fall ticket phase.
In contrast to Argentina, a victory with a big score is a 'dead price' that is not negotiable. Their hopes came despite a 1-1 draw against Iceland and a 0-3 defeat by Croatia, as Nigeria won 2-0 counter Iceland on second matchday.
This time, Jorge Sampaoli, Argentina coach, should be smarter in handling his team and muffling negative news about internal divisions, through the right formation and player formulation.
Argentina's main problem, from a technical point of view, is not about the tactics of 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3, but a mental overhaul that is too dependent on Lionel Messi. La Pulga will remain the mainstay against Nigeria later - well, he's a quality player and one of the world's best players.
However, Sampaoli must also prepare an alternative plan if Messi is unable to give a magic touch. Remember, Argentina have won four World Cup meetings each time against Nigeria of a total of eight games.
Nigeria is also not a strange opponent for them, especially in the group phase, as both have clashed at the 2002 World Cup, 2010 and 2014. Sampaoli can gamble by playing players like Paulo Dybala and Giovani Lo Celso as starters, as well as Nahuel Guzman for replacing Willy Caballero who blundered the Croatian counter.
"La Albiceleste's biggest challenge is to build momentum, both soccer and mental, to compete against a very dangerous Nigerian," said Diego Zandrino, Argentina's columnist for FIFA.
The Argentinians clearly hope their beloved national team put aside the problems that exist, in order to focus on defeating Nigeria.
Argentina's Last Five Games:
24/03/18 Argentina 2-0 Italy
28/03/18 Spain 6-1 Argentina
30/05/18 Argentina 4-0 Haiti
16/06/18 Argentina 1-1 Iceland
22/06/18 Argentina 0-3 Croatia
If there is one particular player to watch out for Argentina, then he is the 25-year-old striker, Ahmed Musa. In addition to the middle on fire after scoring two goals to Iceland goalkeeper, Moses also had twice goalkeeper Argentina in the 2014 World Cup.
Gernot Rohr, the Nigerian coach, has full confidence in his squad to end bad trends every time they meet Argentina. "Such a bad record could end up at some point," Rohr said.
Compared to the 0-2 defeat of Croatia, Nigeria game better won 2-0 contra Nigeria by applying formation 3-5-2. The tactic maximizes the potential of players in the Super Eagles squad.
Victor Moses plays in his best position at Chelsea, as a right-wing defender. Likewise with the presence of two agile striker in front, Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho, who can threaten the defense of Argentina - Argentine goalkeeper has conceded four goals.
The tactic is more flexible because it can guarantee better defense, as well as the rapid transition from persisting to assault. Nigeria and Argentina meetings never end with a slim score or a 1-0 win. So, definitely the game will last exciting with a potential rain of goals.
The Last Five Games Nigeria:
28/05/18 Nigeria 1-1 Congo
02/06/18 England 2-1 Nigeria
06/06/18 Nigeria 0-1 Czech Republic
17/06/18 Croatia 2-0 Nigeria
22/06/18 Nigeria 2-0 Iceland
