Sometimes failure can lead to success – that’s what Argentina fans are hoping after a World Cup catastrophe – here’s five ways of looking forward
The dust is still settling after Argentina limped out of the World Cup following Saturday’s 4-3 defeat to France but big questions remain.
Years of neglect, institutional errors and a dependence on the world’s best player made La Albiceleste’s failure painfully predictable. The disjointed side could easily have been handed a Brazil 2014-esque thrashing so there is a sense of relief that a one-goal defeat to one of the pre-tournament favourites spared that embarrassment.
However, the gulf was wider than the scoreline suggested and Argentina must not allow the cracks to be papered over any longer.
1 – Is Sampaoli the man for the rebuild?
The most pressing question for the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) is whether Jorge Sampaoli remains and there are arguments either way.
The positives from Sampaoli’s year-long tenure are slim. Qualification was achieved as was progression from the group stage in Russia but the Argentina coach never repeated a starting eleven in his 15 games in charge and looked clueless in finding a solution.
A back-three, a back-four, Messi as a false nine, all were used and the constant changing hardly helped Argentina find an identity.
golazo argentino 
Argentina will always have decent forwards and attacking midfielders. What they desperately need are world class defenders and defensive midfielders to achieve success in tournaments. The modern game for big tournaments has become all about effectiveness rather than art. Ths strategy is to not concede by defending resolutely and then sneaking in a goal on the counter attack.
Despite the failings at youth level there are some decent prospects defensively coming through with potential to improve this area
Brilliant article, Peter. I was nodding in agreement with many of the points you made.
Now let’s hope the AFA (wishful thinking I know!) are thinking along a similar path.
Haha many thanks Toby. Appreciate that