Mascherano shoots down rift rumours

‘Turmoil in Argentina camp’

AFP, BRONNITSY (Russia): Veteran Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano insists relations between the players and coach Jorge Sampaoli are not strained after reports of unrest within the team camp.

Sampaoli was roundly criticised for his game plan following a 3-0 loss to Croatia in Argentina's second group game at the World Cup, sparking rumours the 58-year-old would be sacked during the tournament.

“The relationship with the coach is completely normal,” Mascherano said ahead of the must-win match against Nigeria in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.

“Obviously, when we feel uncomfortable about something we speak with him because if we didn't we would be hypocrites.”

Argentina were on the brink of elimination after the Croatia mauling but victory against Nigeria would send them through as runners-up in Group D if leaders Croatia avoid defeat against Iceland.

“We know the situation is tricky," Mascherano said. “We have to be united, to express our opinions, and do everything possible so the team goes into the game in the best position.”

However an Argentine TV and a British tabloid reported that  in the wee hours of Friday morning, after their calamitous loss to Croatia, Argentina’s World Cup stars reportedly tried to engineer a mutiny. At the time, it appeared to have come to nothing. Manager Jorge Sampaoli was still in charge.

Twenty-four hours later, though, a full-on coup d’etat is reportedly underway.

TyC Sports, one of the most prominent-- though not always accurate-- TV outlets in Argentina, reported Saturday afternoon that Argentinean players are no longer following Sampaoli’s orders.

Argentina players had held meetings at their base camp hours after a disastrous 3-0 loss to Croatia and asked for Sampaoli’s immediate removal as manager, according to reports on Thursday night. TyC Sports had reported that the national team’s current general manager, Jorge Burruchaga, could take control of the team. No official change has been made, but now TyC reports that the president of Argentina’s soccer federation, Claudio Tapia, is supporting the players in their attempt to wrest control of the team away from Sampaoli.

Other reports, however, suggested that Tapia, the coaching staff and players all met on Saturday and decided to band together, move forward, and focus on Tuesday’s pivotal game against Nigeria.

It has emerged that Sampaoli has effectively been overthrown as far as tactics and selection are concerned for the make or break game in St Petersburg.

It means he has been ordered by his players to junk his preferred three at the back formation in favour of a 4-3-3 aimed at getting the ball to Lionel Messi in more advanced positions. Mascherano and the players accused Sampaoli of causing total confusion by suddenly abandoning all the preparation training ground work for a system change ahead of the Croatia debacle. In the aftermath, Mascherano and striker Cristian Pavon were alleged to have come to blows in the dressing room.

Another report of SunSport adds: One of Burrachaga’s 1986 team-mates, Ricardo Giusti, a close friend of the general manager, revealed: “The players want to build the team.

“They told Sampaoli and Tapia that they are going to pick the side. Sampaoli can sit on the bench if he wants, but it won’t matter. It will be nothing to do with him.”

 

Mascherano shoots down rift rumours

Turmoil in Argentina camp

AFP, BRONNITSY (Russia): Veteran Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano insists relations between the players and coach Jorge Sampaoli are not strained after reports of unrest within the team camp. Sampaoli was roundly criticised for his game plan following a 3-0 loss to Croatia in Argentinas second group game at the World Cup, sparking rumours the 58-year-old would be sacked during the tournament. The relationship with the coach is completely normal, Mascherano said ahead of the must-win match against Nigeria in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday. Obviously, when we feel uncomfortable about something we speak with him because if we didnt we would be hypocrites. Argentina were on the brink of elimination after the Croatia mauling but victory against Nigeria would send them through as runners-up in Group D if leaders Croatia avoid defeat against Iceland. We know the situation is tricky, Mascherano said. We have to be united, to express our opinions, and do everything possible so the team goes into the game in the best position. However an Argentine TV and a British tabloid reported that in the wee hours of Friday morning, after their calamitous loss to Croatia, Argentinas World Cup stars reportedly tried to engineer a mutiny. At the time, it appeared to have come to nothing. Manager Jorge Sampaoli was still in charge. Twenty-four hours later, though, a full-on coup detat is reportedly underway. TyC Sports, one of the most prominent-- though not always accurate-- TV outlets in Argentina, reported Saturday afternoon that Argentinean players are no longer following Sampaolis orders. Argentina players had held meetings at their base camp hours after a disastrous 3-0 loss to Croatia and asked for Sampaolis immediate removal as manager, according to reports on Thursday night. TyC Sports had reported that the national teams current general manager, Jorge Burruchaga, could take control of the team. No official change has been made, but now TyC reports that the president of Argentinas soccer federation, Claudio Tapia, is supporting the players in their attempt to wrest control of the team away from Sampaoli. Other reports, however, suggested that Tapia, the coaching staff and players all met on Saturday and decided to band together, move forward, and focus on Tuesdays pivotal game against Nigeria. It has emerged that Sampaoli has effectively been overthrown as far as tactics and selection are concerned for the make or break game in St Petersburg. It means he has been ordered by his players to junk his preferred three at the back formation in favour of a 4-3-3 aimed at getting the ball to Lionel Messi in more advanced positions. Mascherano and the players accused Sampaoli of causing total confusion by suddenly abandoning all the preparation training ground work for a system change ahead of the Croatia debacle. In the aftermath, Mascherano and striker Cristian Pavon were alleged to have come to blows in the dressing room. Another report of SunSport adds: One of Burrachagas 1986 team-mates, Ricardo Giusti, a close friend of the general manager, revealed: The players want to build the team. They told Sampaoli and Tapia that they are going to pick the side. Sampaoli can sit on the bench if he wants, but it wont matter. It will be nothing to do with him.