Lionel Scaloni's Argentina tactics

"La Nuestra" in Football Manager 2024

Lionel Scaloni reinvigorated Argentinian national football, masterfully combining the traditional “La Nuestra” style of football with a dynamic and energetic young squad, whilst platforming Lionel Messi, reviving national football identity, and delivering the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa America championships.

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“La Nuestra” (Our Thing)

“La Nuestra” (Our Thing) playing style is part of Argentinian national football identity, a player-centric approach emphasising collectivism, freedom, creativity, and expansive football.

Key components of “La Nuestra” in Football Manager 2024:

• Attacking (or Positive) Team Mentality instructs the team to play expansive football.

• Support duties encourage collectivism.

• More Expressive creative freedom encourages creativity and freedom.

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Platforming Messi

Argentina lined up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in a nominal 4-3-3 with Lionel Messi on the right side of attack.

Scaloni masterfully adapted his system by shifting his midfield unit to reduce the athletic demands on a then 35-year-old Lionel Messi.

This freed Messi to play a free role, maximising his ability, and leading Argentina to the World Cup, reaching the pinnacle of his glorious career and enshrining his legacy as the greatest player of all time.

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Deep-Lying Playmaker

The majority of modern teams line up with at least a holding midfielder behind their midfield playmaker, but Scaloni set up Argentina to play with a dynamic midfield with Enzo Fernández - the playmaker - at the base.

Playing the playmaker at the base of midfield naturally creates progressive passing options - as explained by Johan Cruyff - as the other midfielders are ahead of the play.

The challenge is that few players have the skill set to play as both the playmaker and the holding midfielder.

Enzo Fernández is certainly more of a playmaker than a natural holding midfield player but, once again, Lionel Scaloni balances this by playing him alongside extremely well-rounded Alexis Mac Allister and tenacious Rodrigo De Paul.

Argentina maintained a compact pressing style out of possession, which prevented Enzo Fernándes from becoming exposed defensively.

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Flexibility

Lionel Scaloni is flexible in his tactical approach, regularly using different formations such as 4-3-1-2 or 4-4-2 variants, whilst maintaining the core tactical principles.

Playing an extra striker in a 4-3-1-2 - or 4-4-2 diamond - formation leans further into Argentinian national football identity.

Argentina can also use a more traditional holding midfielder to add stability in a 4-4-2, where Enzo and Mac Allister are free to influence the game from higher up the field.

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