Opinion
The alarm bells were ringing on 22 November across Argentina. The Albiceleste lost their first game of the FIFA World Cup to Middle Eastern minnows Saudi Arabia 2-1. After Matchday 1, the Argentines sat bottom of Group C with their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.
Every game for Argentina was now a final. Lionel Messi’s last chance to climb footballing Everest was suddenly stuck at base camp.
Fast-forward a month to 18 December. Argentina were crowned world champions, having won their final six games, culminating in a penalty shootout victory over France in the Lusail Stadium, Doha. Lionel Messi’s mesmeric artistry was hailed from every corner of the globe.
However, there was one softly spoken individual in the Argentina camp who received less praise: coach Lionel Scaloni.
What tactical alterations did Lionel Scaloni, the man who had previously never managed a senior professional team, make throughout the World Cup that led to Argentina’s glory? Let’s review three key adjustments he made to his team during the World Cup that proved vital to Argentina’s success.
(Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
1. Introduction of Julian Alvarez to the starting 11
Scaloni commenced the first two games of the World Cup by starting Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan alongside Lionel Messi as the front two in Argentina’s 4-4-2 formation. Scaloni was seeking to utilise Martinez’s international experience (21 goals in 46 internationals) and club form for Inter Milan alongside his compatriot Messi.
But Martinez was held goalless in Argentina’s opening two matches against Saudi Arabia and Mexico. More importantly, he was unable to provide the defensive pressing and relentless running that was required alongside the ageing Messi.
Martinez was therefore substituted in Argentina’s second group game, against Mexico, for Julian Alvarez – nicknamed ‘La Arana’, the spider – of Manchester City.
Alvarez provided the additional defensive pressing and goal-scoring that Martinez was unable to muster. He started the final group game against Poland and all four knockout games of the World Cup for Argentina. Alvarez proved lethal, scoring vital goals against Poland and Australia as well as a brace against Croatia in the semi-final.
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
2. Midfield triangle of Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez
Aware of the defensive limitations of Messi defensively, Scaloni required a midfield three that was able to cover greater spaces defensively than a typical midfield trio. Scaloni therefore commenced the tournament with an experienced midfield comprising Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes and Papu Gomez.
Disappointed with their performance during the opening defeat to Saudi Arabia, Scaloni replaced Parades with fellow defensive midfielder Guido Rodriguez for Argentina’s second game against Mexico.
More significantly, Scaloni also replaced Papu Gomez with Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister in the starting line-up. Mac Allister’s distribution and ball retention were exceptional throughout the tournament, leading to him starting every game – excluding the Saudi Arabia match – for the Argentines.
In the third group game against Mexico, Scaloni solidified his midfield through the inclusion of Enzo Fernandez for Guido Rodriguez. Fernandez played every minute of the remainder of the tournament, with his excellence recognised by being awarded the Golden Boy as the best young player of the World Cup. The midfield three of De Paul, Mac Allister and Fernandez were the aerobic workhorses who gave Messi permission to conserve his energy in the defensive portions of Argentina’s matches.
3. Utilisation of Angel Di Maria
Prior to the World Cup final, Argentina’s opponents France had displayed defensive fragilities. Les Bleus had conceded goals in five of their previous six World Cup games. France also lost their first-choice right back Lucas Hernandez for the tournament after he suffered a knee injury against Australia. Scaloni, attempting to prey on this weakness in the final, decided to start Di Maria alongside Messi and Alvarez in a 4-3-3 formation.
Di Maria had not started a game at the World Cup since Argentina’s final group game against Mexico. Di Maria also did not feature in Argentina’s Round of 16 game against Australia or the semi-final against Croatia. In the final, however, Di Maria was deadly, with his experience winning a penalty for Argentina’s opening goal and scoring their second.
These three tactical moves demonstrated that while Scaloni was inexperienced, his tactical calls paid dividends and led to Argentina becoming world champions.
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