Against Iceland, a defensively resolute team, Argentina enjoyed the lion’s share of possession. However, they could not really make it count. A major factor in this was their slow build-up play. Whenever they dispossessed Iceland, the midfielders either passed it sideways or backwards. Argentina did not attack with the required impetus to be able to ruffle Icelandic feathers.
In the new system, with Biglia and Banega, the midfield would be more dynamic and technical. Banega is a much better passer of the ball than Mascherano and has the vision to play defence splitting passes from inside his own half. He is also more adept at controlling the tempo of the game. While this is not a tactical tweak, this represents a change in personnel that needs to be taken up sooner rather than later.