World Cup: Argentina aim to ensure progress against Iran in Belo Horizonte
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| Lionel Messi: Calling for an attacking approach from Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella |
Argentina can secure their place in the 2014
FIFA World Cup round of 16 with victory over Iran at the Estadio
Mineirao on Saturday.
Alejandro Sabella’s side stand alone at the
top of Group F following their 2-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina,
while Iran and Nigeria playing out a goalless draw in their opening
match.
A Sead Kolasinac own goal gave Argentina a third-minute
lead before Lionel Messi doubled their advantage after the break,
although an 85th-minute strike from Vedad Ibisevic set up a tense finish
for the South Americans.
The Argentine defence stood firm,
however, meaning victory over Iran would seal a place in the knockout
stages with a match to spare.
This will be the first time the two
nations have locked horns at a World Cup, with their lone previous
meeting ending in a 1-1 draw back in 1977.
Carlos Queiroz’s Iran stand joint-second with Nigeria after an
opening game stalemate and their organised defence, which saw them
concede the fewest goals in the Asian qualifying group, could prove a
challenge for Argentina.
In their World Cup curtain-raiser,
Sabella deployed Argentina in a 5-3-2 formation before reverting to
4-3-3 and attack-minded Messi believes the latter is crucial if they are
to break opponents down.
"As strikers, we prefer that system as
it gives us more attacking opportunities and if we don't use that system
we suffer a bit,” he claimed.
"We as strikers favour that
line-up. In the first half I was often on my own and so was (Sergio) Kun
(Aguero) and it was very difficult, so there are things to be improved
on.
"We are Argentina and I think we have to focus on ourselves, and not on who we're facing."
Argentina’s
forward department has been without striker Rodrigo Palacio, although
the Inter Milan forward has returned to training and could feature.
Meanwhile,
Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun remains the only concern for Queiroz
after he picked up a knock in their opening match and is unlikely to
feature this weekend.
There is no doubt Argentina enter this clash
as overriding favourites, as Reza Ghoochannejhad well knows, but the
Charlton forward believes their ‘underdog’ tag could work in their
favour.
"We have to enjoy it and follow the coach's instructions
to the letter,” he said. “We've got absolutely nothing to lose in this
match.
"Argentina are among the favourites this year, while the
same can't be said for us. All the pressure will be on their shoulders
and we will have to show our resilience, like against Nigeria.”
Paul Merson’s prediction
Iran
defended really well against Nigeria. I was really impressed by their
organization - they weren’t great going forward, but defensively they
were really good. I have to go for Argentina to win but it won’t be a
10-0 job.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
