Photo: Lionel Messi (Getty Images)
South American giants Argentina faces a tough test in the Round of 16 against a young and vibrant Switzerland team. The two time World Champions should face their toughest test in the World Cup to date against Ottmar Hitzfeld’s very skillful and hard working team.
Switzerland did well in the group stages recording two wins from three games scoring 7 goals but conceded 6 times. They suffered a crushing 5-2 defeat to the French but showed great strength of character coming back to defeat Honduras 3-0 thanks to a Xherdan Shaqiri hat-trick. Unlike Swiss teams of the past, this team likes to attack and tries to play an entertaining style of football with their full backs bombing forward.
La Albiceleste was perfect in the groups stages recording three victories scoring six times while conceding 3 goals. Lionel Messi scored 4 times in the group stages as his team failed to impress but still found ways to grind out the results. Argentina has struggled to hit their strides thus failing to play the slick and quick give and go passes with pace and intensity that was very successful during qualifications. Alejandro Sabella will be hoping that his team will find their feet in this fixture but he will have to do without Kun Aguero who is out with a muscular injury.
Sergio Romero should be in goal for La Albiceleste with Ezequiel Garay and Federico Fernandez in central defense. Marcos Rojo has played well so far at left back and has even scored against Nigeria while Pablo Zabaleta will remain at right back.
Javier Mascherano will lead midfield with his experience and composure on the ball. He has been the man pulling the strings in the middle of the park and he should be partnered by Fernando Gago. Angel Di Maria has not looked his usual self so Sabella will hope the Real Madrid man finds some form in the knock-out stages. Lionel Messi will hope to continue his great form but Gonzalo Higuain must now step up and deliver for his country. In the absence of Agureo, Ezequiel Lavezzi should be drafted into the first 11.
Hitzfeld should retain Diego Benaglio between the sticks with Steve von Bergen expected to return in central defense with the young Fabian Schar. The impressive Ricardo Rodriguez will start at left back with the Stephan Lichtsteiner on the opposite side.
Skipper Gokhan Inler should provide calmness and composure in the middle of the park with his ability to retain possession and his range of passing. He should be partnered by club teammate Valon Behrami with Shaqiri, Josip Drmic and Granit Xhaka providing the attacking threat especially on the counter attack.
This fixture could be quite exciting if both teams come out and play their usual attacking game. The Swiss are brilliant on the counter which could hurt a slow Argentinian back four. Messi and company will always look to attack and if they find their feet then Argentina will have too much for a young and inexperienced Switzerland team.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login