Why Higuain Is Under Most Pressure for Argentina Following Loss to Portugal

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: November 19, 2014

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The underwhelmed Old Trafford crowd will not be the first or the last to see a team come out on top after having been comprehensively outplayed for large spells of a game. This time it was Portugal who prevailed, striking through Raphael Guerreiro in the final minute to take a 1-0 win over Argentina. 

Lionel Messi and his team-mates had dominated possession and territory throughout. The nation lost intensity and shape when the captain was withdrawn at half-time alongside rival Cristiano Ronaldo, in a move that did not please those present in Manchester. 



Overall, there were positives to take away for coach Gerardo Martino. A high-pressing game harried and unsettled Portugal throughout, leaving them little time to dwell on the ball. The midfield duo of Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia worked well, while out wide the inexperienced Facundo Roncaglia and Cristian Ansaldi did their chances of providing full-back alternatives no harm. 

But one huge question mark remains over Albiceleste heads. How can a forward line of Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria, with the creative support of Javier Pastore, look so ponderous and unthreatening against a team defending deep and with numbers? 



Precious few chances were created by the South Americans and while all those up front have to take their share of the blame, one man stood out as clearly off-key. With the return of Carlos Tevez to the fold, Gonzalo Higuain is now under more pressure than ever to keep his place. 

The Napoli forward contributed little to Argentina's general play. His passing was lacklustre, his movement laboured and he failed to connect with either Messi or Di Maria in meaningful fashion. Towards the end of the second half, Pipita spurned a glorious chance on the left-hand side of the area; the fact that an offside flag saved his blushes was scant consolation. 

As a natural cen...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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