Just 8 years after the debacle at the World Cup in South Africa, Argentina again suffered humiliation at the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Like Diego Maradona, like Jorge Sampaoli. Both times, the Albiceleste have gone into these World Cups with the favourites tag around their teams as they looked to end the nation’s trophy drought (the last trophy was the Copa America in 1993).
However, both managers’ tactical ineptitude has contributed to their teams being torn apart by better organized, better coached European teams. While Maradona’s Argentina were ripped apart 4-0 by an upcoming German side led by Joachim Low, Sampaoli’s 2018 version just put up a shambolic display in a 3-0 hiding by Zlatko Dalic’s superb Croatian team.
Certain members of Sampaoli’s playing squad have covered themselves in excrement with their performances in Russia so far and with the equally incompetent Argentine Football Association (AFA) almost certain to sack the manager (if he doesn’t resign), wholesale changes will be needed.
Players like Javier Mascherano and the calamitous Willy Caballero are already on their way out as Russia 2018 was already scheduled to be their last involvement as national team players