Scaloni finds right-back solution as Argentina top Group C with perfect record

Argentina person perchance solved 1 of their astir persistent headaches astatine this World Cup, with Lionel Scaloni identifying a originative workaround for a right-back presumption that had caused interest passim the tournament's build-up.

The occupation Scaloni could not ignore

With some Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel carrying fittingness concerns into the competition, the close flank had been a vulnerability waiting to beryllium exposed. Montiel started the opening radical crippled but was withdrawn astatine half-time aft an underwhelming display, and a consequent wounded handed Molina his accidental against Austria. The Atlético Madrid antheral performed solidly, yet Scaloni remained abbreviated of reliable options, alert that tougher tests laic up successful the knockout rounds.

Against Jordan successful the last group-stage fixture, the Argentina caput manager opted to rotate, resting some Molina and Montiel with an oculus connected what is to come. In their place, helium deployed Giuliano Simeone astatine right-back, but the existent tactical nuance laic successful however Exequiel Palacios was utilized alongside him. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder operated successful a tucked-in relation that gave Simeone the licence to propulsion guardant and lend successful attacking areas, efficaciously functioning arsenic a hybrid wing-back without exposing the antiaircraft line.

The determination paid dividends. Simeone was 1 of the brightest sparks connected the nighttime arsenic Argentina bushed Jordan 3-1 to implicit the radical signifier with 3 wins from three.

Scaloni explains the thinking

"The squad needed assistance successful that position," Scaloni said aft the last whistle. "We did not privation to usage Nahuel, who had been retired for a period. It is simply a precise demanding presumption and we wanted to support him. Palacios gave america that hand."

With Molina expected to instrumentality to the starting XI for the last-32 clash against Cape Verde connected Friday, the Argentina brag present has a genuine Plan B should injuries resurface oregon the tactical concern request flexibility.

A defence that inactive has questions to answer

The right-back concern was not the lone country keeping Scaloni up astatine night. At left-back, Facundo Medina had been pressed into work arsenic an impromptu stand-in for Nicolás Tagliafico, though helium acquitted himself good crossed his 2 appearances. Tagliafico returned to fittingness successful clip to commencement against Jordan and, contempt a lapse successful attraction for Jordan's consolation goal, produced a composed wide performance.

At centre-back, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez had formed Scaloni's first-choice partnership, but a sound sustained by the Tottenham defender against Austria forced a reshuffle. Marcos Senesi came successful alongside Nicolás Otamendi against Jordan, and the brace looked assured capable to springiness the coaching unit immoderate much-needed reassurance astir their depth.

For each the antiaircraft uncertainty, Argentina person conceded conscionable erstwhile successful 3 games, with Jordan's extremity the lone clip their nett has been disturbed. Heading into the knockout stages, Scaloni's broadside look similar a squad softly getting their location successful bid astatine precisely the close moment.