World Cup 2018: 5 issues Argentina needs to fix for glory in Russia

#2 Make bold decisions

Pavon was a delight when he came on and needs to start

The dropping of Mauro Icardi from the World Cup squad is one that left a lot of people dumbfounded but the reasons behind it were plausible.

This showed that the manager was willing to make bold and tough decisions, he will have to do something similar again and soon.

The formation and personnel deployed against Iceland clearly did not work as too many players were unaware of what was required and were disappointing in application and endeavor.

Sampaoli made his name playing a high-risk, energetic style as manager of Chile’s national team and he will need to get his team to play the same way.

The safety-first option that players like Biglia, Mascherano and di Maria symbolize should be discarded with and bold selections made.

Pavon, Banega, Paulo Dybala and even Giovani Lo Celso are dynamic players who have the skill-set to make things happen for the team, they should be trusted with starting berths.

Going top heavy (starting both Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain) is another option as with these two world-class marksmen (more for their clubs than for the Albiceleste) will put pressure on the opposition’s defence and allow Argentina play on the front foot more often than not.