Some Messi magic helped Argentina to victory
Perhaps the champions are supposed to start off slowly, well Argentina will be hoping that is the case after a well below par performance was just enough to see off a spirited Bosnia and Herzegovina. It took a wonderful Lionel Messi goal to provide the cushion and ultimately the crucial 3 points but it was very hard work as Bosnia gave Sabella’s first half 5-3-2 a thorough examination. Ultimately, Messi and Argentina did just enough but there will need to be a marked improvement going forward.
As had been practiced, Alejandro Sabella opted for a 5-3-2 with Hugo Campagnaro joining the defence and Maxi Rodríguez slotting into the midfield behind a front line of Messi and Agüero. This is not a completely alien formation but the first half was as bad as Argentina have performed under Sabella.
Despite getting off to a dream start when Sead Kolasinac diverted a Lionel Messi free kick into his own net after just 3 minutes, Argentina failed to build any further momentum.
Falling deeper and deeper and guilty of gifting possession back to Bosnia, Argentina lost their way. Maxi Rodríguez was virtually anonymous in midfield and even Messi, who was dropping to his own half to pick up the ball, was responsible for several misplaced passes or ill judged runs into dead ends.
Realising that things had not gone to plan, Sabella rang the changes at half time introducing Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuaín. Switching to the more familiar 4-3-3 Argentina looked more settled and more dangerous. Gago’s passing and knowledge of the role meant that Argentina could control the possession better and importantly get the ball to Messi in more dangerous situations while Higuaín offered a more focal point for the attack to work off.
The one moment of real quality came just after the hour mark when Messi dashed from half way and after an excellent quick interchange with Higuaín, he danced around a couple more challenges before rifling his shot past Asmir Begovic and in off the post. It was not a classic Messi performance but the goal was a reminder of what he and Argentina are capable of when they click.
Bosnia managed to make it an uncomfortable final few minutes when Vedad Ibisevic broke behind Fede Fernández and slotted a finish through the legs of Sergio Romero but Sabella’s side held on for the vital three points.
Post-match, Sabella and the players admitted that it was not a great performance but the result was all that mattered against difficult opposition.
What will be important will be how Argentina react to this and what they learnt. Playing badly and winning in the opening game is fine provided it is a learning experience used to calvanize the side ahead of the challenges to come.
golazo argentino 
Why did Sabella decide to play the 5-3-2? Was he trying to emulate Bilardo in ’86? When the subs were made, Messi and the team as a whole looked so much better. Sabella should do as he says in his press conferences and play to Messi’s strengths, not try and emulate the ’86 win, maybe he’s as obsessed with that triumph as much as the English are with ’66.
Not sure that 5-3-2 should be abandoned completely but agree that it did not work at all against Bosnia. Gago’s role is too important and Maxi in that midfield 3 offered nothing. The 4-3-3 should undoubtedly have been the starting formation against Bosnia but I feel that Sabella will continue to persevere with the 5 man defence in future.
I hope that the Bosnia game was a good learning experience and Argentina can use that now to improve through the tournament
Thanks for sharing I loveArgentina I am a Argentina fan