Andrew Smith: Things are all looking a bit Messi

Albicelestes in crisis as Sampaoli's critics circle like vultures, writes Andrew Smith
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Jun 2018, 06:00 BST
Updated 24th Jun 2018, 10:28 BST

There was nothing pretty about Argentina’s implosion against Croatia the other night. That extended to the sight of their squat, shaven-headed, tattoo-covered coach Jorge Sampaoli pacing his technical area like a seething club bouncer desperate to find a skull to crack.

By the end of a 3-0 scudding that brought calls throughout the nation to call time on his tenure even as their team find themselves in the World Cup last chance saloon, it was the 58-year-old’s head that was left pounding.

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It was open season on Sampaoli even before Argentina touched down in Russia and with criticisms that have proven to be well-founded. Writ large in the lacklustre 1-1 draw with Iceland that gave way to their heaviest group stage defeat at a finals for 60 years – a loss that left Argentina without a win in their first two games at a tournament since 1974 – were the issues highlighted in the approach of Sampaoli, his country’s third coach in two years.

Lionel Messi, second from right, Sergio Aguero, left, and Javier Mascherano arrive for a training session in Bronnitsy. Picture: AP PhotoLionel Messi, second from right, Sergio Aguero, left, and Javier Mascherano arrive for a training session in Bronnitsy. Picture: AP Photo
Lionel Messi, second from right, Sergio Aguero, left, and Javier Mascherano arrive for a training session in Bronnitsy. Picture: AP Photo

The absence of a go-to system was typified by his switching from a back four to a back three between the first and second games. The absence of a plan other than the hope that all-time great Lionel Messi would be capable of bailing them out was shown up in Argentina failing as the Barcelona attacker proved unable to produce telling interventions.

And the absence of a connection with his players has been betrayed by their unwillingness to offer him any public support.

If there is any crumb of comfort for an Argentine populace in ferment over a thus-far abject showing in Russia it is that for their impending must-win game they face opponents they would have hand-picked for such an assignment.

The South Americans must triumph over Nigeria on Tuesday – while they hope the in-form Croatia at least draw with Iceland – to squeak through as runners-ups in Group D. Nigeria will be facing u