Lionel Scaloni Argentina World Cup Tactics

Lionel Scaloni sets Argentina up in a 4-4-2 formation, which changes with the ball to an asymmetrical 4-3-3 or, more rarely, 4-2-3-1.

The most common scheme involves the formation of: Angel Di Maria and Giovani Lo Celso as wide midfielders, De Paul and Paredes in centre and Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez as forwards.

One of the key schemes in playing with the ball is to move the left-back (Tagliafico, Acuna) forward, which then makes Argentina a back three, while Lo Celso moves inside.

Di Maria then generally maintains a wider position on the right flank, which in turn allows Messi to move to the inside right channel and this allows Lautaro Martinez to operate in a more traditional role as a advanced forward.

Argentina’s pressing is very aggressive and they do not hesitate to foul if necessary.

When the opponent changes tactics to longer direct passes, Scaloni’s boys do not hesitate to give up the initiative, lower the pressing and keep a fairly low defensive line.

Lionel SCALONI profile on tacticof.com