I heard it was Dani Alves, and would be replaced by Maicon...
It was me
I'm very impressed by Di Maria's work rate and work ethics so far, he's a proper "Duracell rabbit" and that's quite rare in a creative dribbler type. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaF6FxmixJk)
Looks to me as Argentina plays something like this rather than the official graphics;
------------Romero------------
-------Federico----Garay------
Zaba----------------------Rojo
-------Gago--------Masch------
------------------------------
-----------Di Maria-----------
------------------------------
-------------Messi------------
----Higuain---------Aguero----
But I would suggest something like this if the two striker system is so pivotal;
------------Romero------------
-------Federico----Garay------
Zaba----------------------Rojo
------------------------------
-------Gago------Masch--------
------------------------------
----Messi----------Di Maria---
------------------------------
------Higuain-----Aguero------
And have Messi and Di Maria switch positions and act as "equal" playmakers and also have Messi poach and penetrate the box more often than Di Maria. This way they would have more options forward, opportunity to double on the wings (which quite frankly they've hardly done) and given Messi opportunity for more room and a viable alternative if Messi is heavily marked, he's usually had three people on him so far. The space those three markers leave behind must be punished and I believe this formation with some individual instruction will allow for that. It's irrelevant who plays between Lavezzi and Aguero in my opinion, whichever has the best day is capable of reaping havoc to the best defences in the world. Both strikers need to alternate between meeting deep and poaching the offside line and Messi needs to make runs through as well.
Please Sabella, read these boards
Against Belgium (and generally) I'd prefer an even safer approach since attack generally starts from the backline;
Two playmakers where at least one of them is deadlier in front of goal than any other striker on the planet should suffice IMO. Argentina has a luxury problem offensively but so far stuffing all those incredible players on the pitch hasn't given much result. A proper plan and many options on the bench would be a wiser approach in my opinion.
------------Romero------------
-------Federico----Garay------
Zaba----------------------Rojo (Full back / Wing back system, if one goes up the other stays)
------------Masch------------- (Pure Def. Mid/Ballwinner/disruptor)
-------Gago------Biglia------- (Deep lying stabilizing midfield / passing options)
------------------------------
----Messi----------Di Maria--- (AMC / SS types confuse defenses and wreak havoc and create width to stretch opponent.)
------------------------------
------------Higuain----------- (Make runs non stop criss cross up and down to never give opponent rest)
Messi were never better than when he played on the right wing and cutting inside for Barcelona. He's scored a lot more goals as a false 9 but he's harder to take out of the match on the wing with a fairly free role. So far this WC the centre of the park has been congested until the dying minutes of second half, so stuffing Messi in there is a waste of his talent. That space (standard number 10 space) should only be occupied occasionally and when the opportunity arises such as James Rodriguez has done so wonderfully for Colombia so far this WC. Started from the wing and drifted inside on occasion.
I wish Sabella had picked Ansaldi as a backup for Rojo (which clearly was a great choice). Ansaldi is a largely underrated complete and brilliant back/wingback who's also a smart defender. In the AMC/SS role Lavezzi, Aguero, Ricky, Augusto and Enzo can play so there's a lot of options. The squad is clearly unbalanced though, with all those "AMC" types. Maxi is a potato, he can be use all over the offensive side of the formation. This strategy would win the midfield battle against most teams in the WC and still leave room for extreme creativity and offensive possibilities.
Yes he is. Which is why I need Ansaldi
Remember Pinilla from Chile?
He decided to get a tattoo about the shoot that almost turns him into a national hero
