ARGENTINA vs. BOSNIA/HERZEGOVINA
Date: June 15, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Maracana - Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, Rio de Janeiro
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 2-0-0 Argentina
Last Match: 2013 Friendly. Argentina def. Bosnia 2-0.
Line: Argentina -350
Group F Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Argentina (5th), Bosnia (21st)
Managers: Alejandro Sabella (ARG), Safet Susic (BIH)
Captains: Lionel Messi (ARG), Emir Spahic (BIH)
World Cup Appearances: 16 (ARG), 1 (BIH)
Best Finish: Argentina (2x Champions, Last in 1986), Bosnia (N/A)
Qualifying Records: Argentina (9-2-5, GF: 35, GA: 15), Bosnia (8-1-1, GF: 30, GA: 6)
Pre-Tournament Game Results
Argentina
June 7th - Argentina def. Slovenia 2-0
Bosnia
June 3rd - Bosnia def. Mexico 1-0
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Argentina: N/A
Bosnia: N/A
Overview
The marquee matchup for Day 4 of the World Cup sees 2-time champion Argentina take on the only debutante in 2014 in one of the most famous stadiums in the world. Maracana will host the final in 4 weeks and while Argentina expect to be there, Bosnia are a darkhorse to make a run at the final in their very first World Cup.
In a tournament that's been filled with goals, this is a game where everyone will expect to see an offensive explosion. Both teams play a fiercely attacking style and are led by stars in the world game up front. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria are all star names up front for Argentina but Bosnia are no slouch with Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic up top.
Argentina are almost impossible to defend in the offensive third. They have the best player in the world in Messi and a wealth of players surrounding him that can both score and create at will. Bosnia is sound defensively but didn't face anything like this in qualifying.
Bosnia don't have the pure scoring Argentina have but are no slouches in the opposing area. Bosnia loves to push players forward in numbers and overwhelm their opponents before they can escape their half of the field. They'll also look to take advantage of some suspect Argentina defence and goaltending which was their achilles heel four years ago.
Argentina figure to have a huge home field advantage with all of their fans traveling to the game, but Bosnia are known to play up to bigger competition and should make this an enthralling match in a tournament that's already been filled with them.
Personnel
In the Argentine Third: Argentina have a retooled defence with almost entirely new starters since 2010. They're relatively unproven on this stage though and face a dynamic front 6 for Bosnia. This could be evenly matched but I need to see Argentina show they're defensively sound before getting confidence in them. Advantage: Bosnia
In the Midfield: Argentina will look to get the ball forward quickly through the Bosnian lines. Bosnia play high up so it will be crucial for them to have pinpoint accuracy getting forward. Bosnia may cause some turnovers in this one but Argentina will be able to spring out in numbers when they do get through. Advantage: Argentina. Barely.
In the Bosnian Third: Messi. Higuain. Aguero. Di Maria. It's like a fantasy team up front. Advantage: Argentina
Goalkeeping: The real weak point for Argentina, Sergio Romero has seen limited time for his club and was in poor form in the last World Cup. Asmir Begovic is a rising star in world soccer and is a monstrous figure at almost 6'7". Advantage: Bosnia
Argentina will win if:
They are able to successful get the ball out of their midfield and in to the Bosnian attacking third. Bosnia play a very attacking style, probably more so then they should against an opponent of this calibre. Successful ball movement out of their end to let the front four work and Argentina will be fine. Turn the ball over in the midfield and they'll be punished dearly for it.
Bosnia will win if:
Their back four can shut down Messi in the centre without exposing their flanks to attack. Teams have been trying to shut down Messi internationally for years at all costs. And while that can be done, it too often means leaving players wide open around him and you cannot do that with this version of Argentina. Close down Messi without allowing the ball to scoot to Higuain and Aguero and they'll have a shot to win.
Prediction
Bosnia likely more solid defensively but their back line gets left on an island too much against an opponent of Argentina's calibre. Bosnia will get their own chances but don't think they can match Argentina's all-star front line.
Argentina 3-2 Bosnia
Bosnia likely more solid defensively but their back line gets left on an island too much against an opponent of Argentina's calibre. Bosnia will get their own chances but don't think they can match Argentina's all-star front line.
Argentina 3-2 Bosnia
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