Argentina Coach’s Notebook Reveals Tactical Work Ahead Of Nigeria Match

Agency ReporterJune 24, 2018

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Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli’s notebook reveals tactical work ahead of Nigeria clash, just days after England lineup for Panama is leaked.

Jorge Sampaoli has inadvertently revealed Argentina’s tactical work on the training ground ahead of their critical World Cup showdown with Nigeria next week. Just days after England assistant Steve Holland seemingly leaked their lineup for Sunday’s clash with Panama, the South American side almost followed suit.

But instead of revealing the XI for the must-win clash in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday, Sampaoli’s notebook shows detailed plans from their training camp.

The scribbles on the notebook show two seven-a-side teams lining up against each other in a knockabout in training, with two players, including Lionel Messi, seemingly on substitute rotation.

Argentine daily sports magazine Ole also published the pictures, which give a possible indication as to Sampaoli’s plans for the do-or-die clash with Nigeria.

Having taken just one point from their opening two games, the South American side were on the brink of elimination after a 3-0 loss to Croatia.

Nigeria’s win over Iceland on Friday has given them a lifeline, however. If they can beat the African outfit and Croatia avoid defeat by Iceland, Sampaoli’s side will make it through to the last-16.

Jorge Sampaoli’s notebook shows a seven-a-side match during the training session
Argentina coach’s tactical plans could be an insight into his starting lineup
South American giants must beat Nigeria if they are to reach the last-16 in Russia

Sampaoli’s side must beat Nigeria in their final group game if they are to make the last-16

The Argentina manager studies his notebook during Saturday’s training session in Bronnitsy
Steve Holland’s notepad appeared to show England’s starting line-up to play Panama
Marcus Rashford appears to be in line to start ahead of Raheem Sterling against Panama
ARGENTINA SEVEN-A-SIDE TEAMS
TEAM ONE

Cristian Ansaldi

Federico Fazio

Giovani Lo Celso

Maximiliano Meza

Paulo Dybala

Christian Pavon

Sergio Aguero

TEAM TWO

Eduardo Salvio

Marcos Rojo

Nicolas Tagliafico

Javier Mascherano

Angel Di Maria

Gonzalo Higuain

Enzo Perez

This incident comes in the wake of the fallout following England’s leaked ‘lineup’ for their second Group G match with Panama on Sunday.

Gareth Southgate’s assistant Holland was pictured at an open training session carrying what appeared to be the starting XI.

Holland apologised to the players for his mistake before training on Friday.

During a training session in Repino on Thursday, which photographers and reporters were permitted to attend, the assistant coach — who is normally the driving force behind trying to keep England’s team a secret — was photographed with a notepad that appeared to detail the line-up.

But despite his assistant’s blunder, Southgate has rebuked sections of the media for publishing the photographs.

‘Obviously, any time, if we were to give the opposition the opportunity of having our team it’s a disadvantage to us. So, of course, our media has to decide if they want to help the team or not,’ he said.