World Cup unpredictability has become the defining theme of the current FIFA World Cup, according to Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, who believes the gap between traditional powerhouses and emerging teams is rapidly narrowing. His comments come before Argentina’s Round-of-16 against Egypt, having battled their way through a difficult campaign with a 1-0 record.
Argentina advanced to the knockout stage after taking all three group games with ease. Their dominance was challenged in the last round, though, as they needed the extra time when playing Cape Verde, in a hard fought 3-2 win. It also revealed a wider trend in the tournament: excellent teams having trouble controlling the game.
As for the teams, no one has really established a groundswell of support, said Scaloni, citing several marquee examples. France had to score a penalty to clear Paraguay, Spain had to score a stoppage time goal against Portugal, and Brazil and Germany have already been knocked out. The above trend, Scaloni said, “shows how structural and environmental issues affect the level of performance across teams.
He cited fatigue as a factor, saying many players are entering the tournament after cramming their club schedules. Also, the intensity and execution of matches have been affected by external factors like traveling requirements, playing pitches and the weather.
Despite these variables, Scaloni said he was “very happy” with Argentina’s development. Winning four successive games, including a match of high pressure, is a sign of consistency even if not technically as strong as it could be.
Tactically, the Argentina way of playing seems to be more and more pragmatic – focusing on game management over expansive play. This fits in with the larger tournament picture, which has been one of efficiency and adaptability, over and above the traditional dominance.
