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FIFA World Cup 2014 – Argentina vs Bosnia And Herzegovina Preview

Argentina vs Bosnia And Herzegovina Preview

Lionel Messi has achieved everything there is to achieve at club level, yet the world’s best player hasn’t been able to stamp his mark in the World Cup. An injury-plagued campaign has seen him have a rather poor season by his lofty standards, and there is nothing more he would want than to inspire his country to glory at the biggest stage of them all.

The last time Argentina won the World Cup, Diego Maradona was the best player in the world and had single-handedly(well, ignore the pun!) led his side to their second World Cup title in Mexico. A 28-year wait for another World Cup is too long a wait for a nation possessing the pedigree of Argentina and blessed with the wealth of talent that have come through over the years from his Latin American outfit.

The sentimental appointment of Diego Maradona to lead them to the 2010 World Cup failed miserably as Argentina were blown away 4-0 at the quarter final stage at the hands of a rampant German side. But despite their national hero failing last time around, 2014 is arguably Argentina’s best chance in the last three decades to finally get things right in a major tournament.

In Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero, Argentina undoubtedly possess the most potent attacking force in the tournament and few will bet against Messi and co. being there at the top step of the podium at the Maracana in four Sundays from now.

There are many who believe that Messi cannot stake a genuine claim to be one of the game’s greatest players until he shines in a World Cup and there is no better time for him to silence his doubters and cement his position as one of the greatest players to have played the game.

The only injury concern that will be on the back of coach Alejandro Sabella’s mind is an ankle knock picked up by his star striker Gonzalo Higuain, but the Napoli man is expected to take his place from the start in what could be a 4-3-1-2 formation with Messi playing just behind the strike partnership of Aguero and Higuain.

World Cup debutants Bosnia will be hoping to catch their esteemed South American opponents off-guard as they look to begin their World Cup campaign with a positive result. Bosnia smashed a small matter of 30 goals in their qualifying group, securing top place on goal difference ahead of Greece. And with Edin Dzeko leading the line, the likes of Federico Fernández and Ezequiel Garay will be kept on their toes.

Roma’s Miralem Pjanic and Stuggart striker Vedad Ibišević will pose genuine attacking threats to an Argentina side more than a bit vulnerable at the back.

Bosnia coach Safet Susic has fitness headaches to bother him as Hoffenheim’s Sejad Salihovic is a doubt for the game. If fit, he is expected to move into left back allowing Sead Kolasinac to partner skipper Emir Spahic at the heart of the Bosnian defence.

Bosnia will fancy their chances of progressing through to the Round of 16 in a group that includes the likes of Iran and Nigeria, but after what Costa Rica did to Uruguay last night, don’t rule out the underdogs just yet.

Argentina vs Bosnia And Herzegovina Predicted lineups :

Argentina (4-3-3): Romero; Zabaleta, Fernandez, Garay, Rojo; Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria; Messi(c), Higuain, Aguero.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-4-2): Begovic; Mujdza, Spahic(c), Bicakcic, Kolasinac; Hajrovic, Besic, Pjanic, Misimovic; Lulic, Dzeko.

Prediction :

Argentina have far too much quality in the final third and should begin their campaign with a win. They should walk the group and are in with a great chance of taking the ultimate prize this time around. We’ll go for a comprehensive 3-0 win.