Just as Perkerman left Messi on the bench for large parts of 2006 WC and Argentina wasted Messi in 2010 by hiring that
insane eccentric who would select players based on his whims and fancies—announcing loud that he could last longer in bed than any player in the squad. I swear this happened. He spent an entire training day talking about his sexual excursions.
Nonetheless, in the same fashion, Sampaoli has wasted one WC for Dybala. Really criminal how Argentina does its best to ruin its best players. Canniggia, Batistuta, Zanetti, Ayala, Crespo, Riquelme, Samuel, Messi, and now Dybala... All with pedigrees to win the World Cup, but it could never happen one way or the other.
Btw Pekerman is poised to return - as a sporting director or head coach, whatever he chooses.
While his man-management is excellent but the man is a poor tactician and in-game organizer. He's poor man's Wenger basically. Players will love him but he won't be able to do anything out of the norm.
So, if Perkerman does return, here's how things will turn out:
- Will again start playing fluid football and look like a team;
- Will destroy every other team in the qualifiers;
- Global media will hail Argentina as pre-tourney favs for WC 2022. "It's between Argentina and France; or Argentina will win it."
- Will obliterate teams in the group stages; a narrow victory against a big team in the Ro16;
- All eyes would be on Argentina/Germany or Argentina/Italy-France-Spain-Netherlands in the QFs; Argentina favorites. Will lead 2-0 at HT. Pekerman will sub Dybala and Messi for di Maria and a DM. Game will end with Argentina losing 2-3 AET.
Watched this film before.