Problems Piling Up

A faltering World Cup campaign compounds domestic dilemmas.

- Joel Richards

“We are not considering bringing in a psychologist,” said Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza three days after the 3-0 loss to Brazil. The defeat in Belo Horizonte compounded the situation in a faltering World Cup qualification campaign which left Argentina out of the four automatic qualification spots. It also added to the cumulative frustration of three lost Finals in three years that still weigh heavy on the national team.

A very public and national enquiry began over how such a talented group of players was failing to perform. For now, though, the answer will not come from a psychologist, but from within. “Qualification â€‹is in our own hands,” says Bauza.

For some observers, this is partly the concern. The 3-0 defeat by Brazil laid out the scale of the problem facing the team. “We don’t know what we are trying to do,” Lionel Messi said afterwards. “This is the worst point for the national team in a long time.” For supporters it is galling to see players so highly valued and handsomely rewarded at their European clubs fall short with the national team, even if reaching three Finals is in itself a fine achievement.

Not only against Brazil but also in recent games – including October’s home defeat to Paraguay – miscued passes, lethargy and missed chances underline a lack of cohesion and focus. Brazil’s performance was everything Argentina are not right now: controlled, disciplined and clinical. The margin of defeat could have been considerably worse.

However, a 3-0 win over Colombia days later suggested that Argentina will probably still qualify for Russia 2018, even if it is ultimately all down to Messi.