Next Day's Games

Final

Germany 1-0 (ET) Argentina (Gotze 113')

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Game 55 Preview: Argentina vs. Switzerland

ARGENTINA vs. SWITZERLAND
Round of 16 - Game 7




 Date: July 1, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 4-0-2 Argentina
Last Match: 2012 Friendly. Argentina def. Switzerland 3-1.
Line: Argentina -220
Group E Preview here.
Group F Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.

Team Profiles 

World Ranking: Argentina (5th), Switzerland (6th)
Managers: Alejandro Sabella (ARG), Ottmar Hitzfeld (SUI)
Captains: Lionel Messi (ARG), Gokhan Inler (SUI)
World Cup Appearances: 16 (ARG), 10 (SUI)
Best Finish: Argentina (2x Champions, Last in 1986), Switzerland (3x Quarterfinals, Last in 1950)
Qualifying Records: Argentina (7-1-4, GF: 24, GA: 8), Switzerland (7-0-3, GF: 17, GA: 6)

Previous Game Results

Argentina

Switzerland

June 15th - Switzerland def. Ecuador 2-1
June 20th - France def. Switzerland 5-2 
Rosters




Injuries/Discipline

Argentina: Sergio Aguero (Out - Leg), Marcos Rojo (Yellow Card)
Switzerland: Johan Djourou (Yellow Card), Steve von Bergen (Out-Cheek)

Overview

Possibly the most anticipated day of the Round of 16 kicks off at noon Eastern time as Argentina take on Switzerland in Sao Paulo. While the other quarters of the bracket had clear favourites in them, this match and the one following appear wide open and should make for some compelling soccer.

Argentina looked a little shaky despite winning all 3 group stage matches so far. Switzerland took a while to get in to the tournament, decisively winning their last match despite having been blown out by France earlier in Group E play. Switzerland will not be excited to see Lionel Messi lining up across from them though. These two teams met in a 2012 friendly and Messi torched the Swiss defence for a hat trick in Bern.

Neither side have made drastic personnel changes in this tournament but both sides are missing key players. Switzerland are still without centre back Steve von Bergen who suffered a facial fracture against France. Both Philippe Senderos and Fabian Schar have filled in for him. Argentina will be missing forward Sergio Aguero, possibly for the rest of the tournament after he suffered a muscle strain in their final group match. He is expected to be replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Expecting Switzerland to come out in the 4-2-3-1 formation they have used throughout with Josip Drmic again in the lone striker role. Desired to be a source of goals in this tournament, Drmic created havoc against Honduras with his ability to latch on to long balls and then find midfielders for chances on goal. Switzerland will look to replicate that against an Argentine central defence that hasn't impressed so far in Brazil.

Argentina should stick with the 4-3-3 they have been using. Biggest question will be the alignment of forwards up front and whether they continue to use Messi as a centre forward or put Gonzalo Higuain in the middle. Messi provides the biggest goal threat in the centre but both players are better suited to Messi being on the wing instead.

Personnel

In the Argentine Third: An interesting matchup. Switzerland not expected to be a goal-scoring machine in this tournament but they managed 7 in 3 group games. Don't know how much success they'll have on the wings but that's not really their game anyway. Expect them to create a lot of movement on the ball through the centre of the pitch and try to draw Fernandez and Garay out of position. Drmic and Shaqiri worked wonders through the centre last game and I think they have a chance to do that again today. Advantage: Switzerland.

In the Midfield: Argentina the dynamic offensive team against a Swiss team that likes to be physical defensively. Switzerland more methodical on the ball against a passive Argentine midfield. The Swiss tend to turn the ball over though. That all seems a wash and while tempted to go with the higher quality players, not sure there's necessarily an advantage either way there. Very close contest here. Advantage: Even.

In the Swiss Third: Not sure the loss of Aguero is a bad thing for Argentina as he was a non-factor in all the time he was on the field in Group F. The Swiss bread-and-butter is supposed to be their defence but they were carved up all the group stages. And they won't forget that Messi did score 3 goals against them last game and had ample time to operate on the rush. Messi is a BIG (figuratively) problem for Switzerland that I don't believe they have an answer for. Advantage: Argentina.

Goalkeeping: Benaglio the better profile but also surrendered 6 goals in group play. Both keepers have looked good, not great so far. Advantage: Even.

Argentina will win if:

Not concerned about them offensively, I think they'll find space to get to goal and have the best player in the world leading the way. Defensively, have to clog the middle of the field and force the Swiss outside. Drmic's speed as a striker and the big shots from their midfielders are the concern today for Argentina. Force the Swiss wide and they're stuck with crosses with are generally ineffective for the small Swiss attackers. Allow them space to cut inside and get shots away and this will be a long day for Argentina.

Switzerland will win if:

The Swiss midfield has to step up and win that section of the field. Argentina will want to control this section of the field so they can control the tempo of that match however they please. If you watched the friendly between these teams, they did that and more concerningly, had all day to find space and chances on the rush through the middle of the field in to the Swiss third. Switzerland have to plug those holes and impose their will in the centre of the field. It will disrupt the flow for Argentina offensively and keep Messi from getting the free runs that will end with the ball in the Swiss net.

Prediction

It's a much closer matchup then I think people give it credit for. Part of that may be that Switzerland looked dreadful for much of the group stage. And while I still don't think they're in form, I have to assume they will be for this crucial game.

What it comes down to for me is this. Much of the game is a wash but each team has a chance to take an advantage in the attacking third. I think Argentina's attacking players are far more threatening then Switzerland's despite 7 Swiss goals in the group stage. Argentina takes this one late, and odds are Messi's involved somehow.

Argentina 2-1 Switzerland

No comments:

Post a Comment