Group Overview
Cam (@CamB_PerSources)
Group D could be the most competitive group in Russia as each group has its own stars. The leader of those stars has to be Lionel Messi. The Barcelona grabbed another golden boot and will lead the line for Argentina. He will have more stars along side him upfront, in some form of Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, or Sergio Aguero. Argentina are considered group favorites and are seen to be a contender for it all. Along with the Argentines is Croatia, Iceland, and Nigeria. All of these teams have the ability to challenge and expose the weaknesses of the runners-up back in 2014. Croatia rival the star power of Argentina with big names like Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic, etc. Croatia finished second in their European qualifying group behind Iceland. Iceland stormed onto the scene during the 2016 Euros beating England to advance to Quarterfinals in the countries first major tournament. Defensively organized, Iceland to grind out results and punish teams on set pieces with talisman Gylfi Sigurdsson. Sigurdsson is battling for fitness will be a close call for the teams first match against Argentina. Nigeria, who were drawn in same group as Argentina for two consecutive tournaments, will square off as the lowest ranked African team in Russia. The team is made up of premier players and play at high level but squad depth. Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Chelsea’s Victor Moses, and Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi will lead the way for the Super Eagles. I won’t be surprised if Argentina are knocked around in their first game by Iceland, which could start a poor tournament. All of the teams in the group have the potential to make it to knockout stages and no one has a guaranteed spot. I see Argentina grabbing the top spot followed by Croatia by the narrowest of margins.
James (@PerSources_JP )
This is arguably the most exciting group in the tournament. Argentina is heavy favorites and the most talented team going forward. Iceland is coming off a remarkable EURO2016 run and winning their qualification group ahead of Croatia and Ukraine. Croatia has the talent to wreak havoc in the group and the potential to make a run into the knockout stages. Nigeria is a well-balanced team with the players in some of the top leagues throughout Europe.
Tincho (@MP_persources)
Another World Cup and another relatively easy group for Argentina. Argentina is the only top tier team in the group and even Croatia is second or even third tier compared to the rest of the teams in the tournament. Each team has some big named players but none of them compare to Argentina’s level. Much like in the past, I expect Argentina to win the group comfortably and watch from the side how Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria battle it out for second place. I look forward to watching this group because of all the hidden talent that is overlooked due to Argentina’s firepower. I truly believe Group D will provide us with some of the best games in the World Cup.
Player To Watch
James: Gylfi Sigurdsson
Sigurdsson has a subpar campaign in his first season with Everton. He only tallied four goals and three assists in 27 Premier League appearances after contributing nine goals and 13 assists in the season prior with Swansea. Without playing a match since March due to a knee injury, Sigurdsson will be fit for Iceland. In order for Iceland to continue its magic from 2016 in France, Sigurdsson will need to be on his game pulling the strings in the midfield. Without him in form, the well-traveled Iceland supporters will be in for disappointment.
Cam: Luka Modric
The biggest star of the tournament and group will be Lionel Messi. Instead of discussing him lets talk about the player that could steal the show and take that from the Argentine. Modric is one of the best all around midfielders in the world for the past three years. Numerous selections in the FIFA XI and has won three champions leagues during his times at Real Madrid make him a threat all around the field. Modric had tools around him to bring his Croatian side to a deep run in the knockout stages. Up front he will have the likes of Mario Mandzukic, and Ivan Perisic to score the goals. Ante Rebic is also an option who has been in good form, Rebic’s brace sealed the DFB Pokal for E.Frankfurt vs Bayern Munich. Modric will also have strength in the midfield along side him. Brozovic, Rakitic, and Kovacic will win the ball back in midfield and give Modric to attack or fire pin point passes. Croatia is considered a dark horse for the tournament and any success will be down to the midfielder.
Tincho: Ivan Rakitic
Many people seem to forget that before Rakitic arrived at Barcelona, he was an offensive minded midfielder with a knack for scoring. His role has been changed while at Barcelona but he continues to show signs of Sevilla Rakitic from time to time. All eyes will be on Luka Modric to lead Croatia offensively but I believe that Rakitic could be just as if not more decisive. A hard tackler in the midfielder with a high IQ who is surrounded with amazing talent in the midfield. If Kovacic starts alongside him, I expect Rakitic to take on more of an offensive minded midfielder once again and be that extra factor for Croatia to get past Nigeria and Iceland.
Biggest Concern
Tincho: Argentina’s Inconsistent Lineups
Sampaoli was brought in as a savior for Argentina and has not had time to truly develop a starting XI. Since his arrival, he’s been in survival mode doing whatever it is he needed to do to get Argentina to the World Cup. Now that they’re finally in, he begins to realize that he does not have a set starting lineup or even a set group of players he’s called up. Players have been recycled around every time Argentina plays. In fact, we’re not even sure what lineup he’ll use. We’ve seen them play with a 3-4-3 but we’ve also seen a form of 4-3-1-1. Inconsistency leading up to a World Cup has never been a good idea especially with a team that knows that this is the last chance for their golden generation to win a World Cup. In an ideal World, Sampaoli and Argentina will figure things out during the first few games of the tournament and grow as a team as the tournament resumes. However, that’s a big risk to take.
James: Argentina’s Surplus of Talent
Jorge Sampaoli has been in charge of Argentina for just over a year. His side squeaked by in CONMEBOL qualifying thanks to a Lionel Messi hat trick on the last day. Sampaoli’s attack is loaded with an incredible amount of talent, which doesn’t even include Serie A’s joint top scorer Mauro Icardi. Messi, along with Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega have the weight of the world on their shoulders. There’s no shortage of experience in this group and all have succeeded at their club level. Since reaching the 2014 World Cup final, La Albiceleste finished runners up to Chile at the 2015 Copa America and 2016 Copa America Centenario. The pressure is on this talented group to get over the hump and lift the trophy, as well as Sampaoli to get this best out of his players.
Cam: Argentina’s Defense
Argentina’s success in the world cup will come down to their ability to defend. The attack can score as many as they please, but they have not looked sturdy. In the last three friendlies, Argentina has allowed 10 goals in just three games, including a 6-1 thrashing from Spain. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero doesn’t have consistent playing time at Manchester United while the back line doesn’t have time to become a collective unit. Jorge Sampaoli will have to find the right combination if they want to advance deep into the tournament.\
