How Argentina should line up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup

With only a few months left for the World Cup fever to take over the world, Argentina's boss Jorge Sampaoli still has a major task to fulfil - fitting Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala in the same formation.

Till now, we have barely seen these two players play together but when you are the manager, you surely wouldn't want a genius like Dybala to sit on the bench just because his playing style is similar to Messi.

The road to the World Cup was rather disastrous for Argentina but that doesn't necessarily rule them out. In fact, they still are one of the favourites to lay their hands on the cup.

On that note, here we take a look at a formation that could make la Albiceleste stronger for the World Cup:

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Goalkeeper and Defenders

Romero is quite an experienced keeper, but Rulli is expected to be favoured

Sampaoli can choose between Sergio Romero and Geronimo Rulli to guard the goal. Romero is far more experienced than the latter, but Rulli has been a lot more pretty impressive in recent seasons. As a result, Rulli could well be preferred for the slot between the stick because of his superior skills on the ball, as well as his razor sharp reflexes.

Meanwhile, the Argentina defence has been questioned a lot. There is surely a difference between the level of quality of defenders and attackers in this side, but still, they have quite a few quality players to choose from. However, their three-man wall would ideally consist of Ezequiel Garay, Nicolas Otamendi and Marcos Rojo.

Otamendi has an impressive rate of successful take-ons (60%) so far in the Premier League this season. He is often seen delivering long balls for his wingers under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, so it can be expected that he does the same for this team.

On the other hand, Rojo, in spite of playing only 7 games for United, has an unbelievable 100% success rate at take-ons. Meanwhile, Garay can be used for his body strength. He is also strong in the air.

In essence, this defensive line would be full of aggression and physicality - something Argentina will desperately require if they are to seriously stake their claim for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Notably, Germán Pezzella and Federico Fazio can be very good backup options for Sampaoli.

Midfielders

The warrior

Argentina should fill in the midfield with as many world-class players as possible, and they do have a number of options to choose from for the same.

In this formation, Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia occupy the defensive midfield positions. Angel Di Maria goes on the right flank, where he is such an asset, while his PSG teammate Javier Pastore should be fielded as the left midfielder.

The number 10 role will undoubtedly go the greatest, Lionel Messi - who else could play better than him in that position? Messi can roam freely on the pitch and create chances for the front duo.

Mascherano plays in the middle of the park to make use of his experience and ability to sense the game. He can control the momentum and protect the back 3 by sliding down to the right back position occasionally. He will be partnered by Biglia, who is a very intelligent footballer. Biglia is a perfect fit for a defensive midfield position.

Di Maria has created 30 chances for his club in the league already, grabbing 6 goals and 5 assists too. He has been in outstanding form despite losing his first-team place.

Pastore hasn't played a lot under Unai Emery, but still has managed to create 16 chances and bag 4 goals to his name. Clearly, there won't be any shortage of chances created when these two play on the flanks.

On the upper side, Messi has been inhuman, like always. He has scored 20 goals in La liga and is arguably the favourite to win all the individual awards too. You just can't explain leaving him out of the playing 11. He plays wherever he wants to and wins the game for the team.

Ever Banega, Leandro Parades, and Nicolas Gaitan can be good midfield backup options.

This doesn't sound like the most balanced midfield, but there's surely something interesting that this set of players offer. During the transitions, these players can switch their positions. For example, while attacking, Mascherano can slide back to the right-back position, Rojo shifts to the left and there you have a stable four-man defence.

Whereas, Pastore can also shift inward to play as a midfielder when defending to help out the team so that Di Maria and Messi can push further up to join the attack and thus form a 3 man midfield of Mascherano, Biglia and Pastore.

Forwards

Aguero is one of the best strikers in the world right now

Argentina have never lacked world-class forwards in their squad. Selecting two strikers can be a headache for Sampaoli but one of them has to Sergio Aguero. This man is a perfect modern-day striker who adds much more to the team than just goals.

It could prove to be deadly to put Paulo Dybala alongside Aguero as an attacking duo. Having two world-class strikers with varying dominant sides is surely an advantage. During counter attacks, Messi can push up to the false 9 position. Aguero can drift down to the left wing and Dybala to the right, which suits both of them while cutting inside for a shot on goal.

Aguero and Dybala have scored 17 and 14 goals for their respective clubs in their respective leagues this season. So, there's absolutely no doubt about their form and ability to finish in front of goal.

This dynamic duo can prove to be lethal for Sampaoli. These two should play together because of their astonishing speed and commendable dribbling which is complemented by their ability to score eye-catching goals even from quite some distance.

Mauro Icardi and Gonzalo Higuain can be excellent backup options for the attacking slots.

Playing XI

This can be their breakthrough formation.

The above diagram is a graphical representation of the formation Argentina should employ in order to give themselves a shouting chance at the World Cup in Russia, later this year.

While a 3-4-1-2 formation could prove to be their best bet, here's how the players themselves will line up in this formation.

GK - Geronimo Rulli

LCB - Marcos Rojo

CB - Nicolas Otamendi

RCB - Ezequiel Garay

LDM - Lucas Biglia

RDM - Javier Mascherano

LM - Javier Pastore

RM - Angel Di Maria

CAM - Lionel Messi

LS - Sergio Aguero

RS - Paulo Dybala

Pretty lethal, don't you think?