Argentina is arguably one of the teams to watch in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup. However, the Argentina National team went home after they were knocked out during the round of 16 this year by the eventual champions, France. Once again, the Albicelestes failed to achieve their dream once more.
The only difference this time around was that it seemed like it was really never meant to be. The last three appearances by Argentina at the World Cup showed that they were capable and came really close to winning. They only missed the last hurdle.
However, this year showed that they barely even managed to make it to the World Cup. They were able to get through thanks to Lionel Messi doing something special while against Ecuador. During the group stages as well, they miserably scraped through and some people even predicted they would not make it through the next round. Unfortunately, their luck really ran out when they went against the Frenchmen.
It is safe to say that over the last 2 years, Argentina has performed its worse. So what is not working for them then? Certainly they have quality and is one of the most talented teams in the world.
Currently, the team is in crisis and they have just changed Sampoali after the dismal performance at the World Cup. Here are some possible factors that could possibly help bring Argentina back to being a force to be reckoned with.
1. Revamp the team
When the next World Cup comes around, the key players of this year’s team will be very old and would be at the end of their careers. As a result, it is crucial for Argentina to plan ahead and start creating a young team. This is with the exception of some experienced players who are going to be crucial to the squad.
Having a young team would bring a fresh new outlook and mentality, not to mention a drive for glory. This is in contrast to the old team, who are now feeling rather dejected after failing to win the cup three times in a row.
Looking at the possibilities, Mauro Icardo, Paulo Dybala, and Christian Pavon could be possible youngsters that Argentina could build a team around. Since Argentina has some fresh supply of youth, they need to keep an eye on possible youngsters who have yet to shine.
2. The Messi Issue
By the next World Cup, Messi will be 35, and although this may look bad, it could be a blessing if you think about it. Currently, Messi is Argentina’s solution to solve their problems. However, this poses a problem since Messi is always heavily guarded by opponents, and often, the team is not prepared to think for alternative solutions.
If Argentina gives Messi a team that is flexible, then there could be a lot of options and possibilities and not limited to “Messi is the answer.”
3. A Better Manager
Over the last two years, Argentina has changed its managers. Each manager had his own tactics and mentality, this meant that the team had to adapt frequently, without a defining strategy to follow. Thus, there is a need for Argentina to have a manager who will be able to drive the team for a longer period of time, up until the next World Cup. Plus, trust should be evident on the capacity of the manager.
These are just some of the key points that would need to be improved if Argentina expects to get back on top in time. Hopefully, they will be able to realize their dream when the next World Cup come