Falcioni’s draw: how it will take place to score Mbappé, the role Messi will play and a few words for Scaloni

First things first: celebrate what has been achieved and congratulate the coaching staff and players. Everyone’s illusion was to play the seven league games and it was achieved. The level of the team has gone from minus to plus and is deservedly in the final.

The semi-final against Croatia was tough until it opened with a penalty kick. With the handicap they had to go out more and we made the most of the spaces granted. It was a resounding victory.

He comes France now, the grand finale. From what has been done during the tournament, I have no doubt that they are the two better teams.

We repeat the same thing for all columns: we trust Lionel Scaloni because he is the one who knows how the players are, both physically and mentally. Whatever you decide on titles and outline will be fine.

France is not new, it has important individuals. They are set deep on the wing and cross with speed half court. They have come to this instance for a reason despite numerous absences. The forte of him is on the sides, with mbappe left and dembélé by right. They are fast and skilled. They are completed griezmannwho floats as a midfielder and reaches defensive and offensive positions. giroud He is a typical striker of reference and the two central midfielders break through well forward.

I understand that it is first time that we will face two such deep wingers and a top striker. Mbappé and Dembele are complex forwards to score because if you let them receive they can beat you one-on-one, and if you press them they can run behind you. Giroud is a dangerous 9 always inside definition area.

It has Scaloni variants. One is to play it with our classic 4-3-3 with the insertion of Di María; another is to place an extra central defender, which would be Lisandro Martínez, to have more support; and the last is a 4-4-2 with Paredes or Guido Rodríguez.

Between Paredes and Rodríguez, Guido is the one who does the job of slipping between central defenders best, which is why he is one more chance. First, because he would support Giroud; second, because he would help the central defenders when Griezmann enters the box; third, it would free Enzo Fernández a little more.

However, beyond the schemes, it is in midfield that we have the greatest presence. DePaul and MacAllister They do a remarkable job of deployment. To this must be added the effort of Giuliano Alvarez, which creates space and causes errors with its constant pressure. All this allows Messi to play freely to put all his mastery and skill on the field. Leo gives us brilliance and solutions.

A special paragraph deserves Julian. With his sacrifice and his efforts, he helps the midfielders close the spaces; he causes breakdowns or hasty deliveries. This is a World Cup where we have seen most teams shrink back and let rival centre-backs lead. We have an advantage with Julian because it is aggressive and retrieves or makes archers go long and fast. It’s productive because it helps the team stand tall on the playing field. Surely in Europe they contributed from a physical and tactical point of view, but already at the River we saw a great Julián. He is a difficult striker to reference: he doesn’t park and takes diagonals from all sides. Messi and Enzo, who already know him, take advantage of it.

what to say mbappe what wasn’t said? He is a very difficult striker to guard because he did it hand in hand and speed, beyond the fact that in the last few games he wasn’t well. You always have to explain it. Also do Molina’s project to wear it down by running back. Acuña must do the same with Dembele. They are footballers with liveliness to cause fouls in the deep end and France have a good passing game with the centre-backs, midfielders and the 9.

In griezmann We have found a player with movements that are different from what he usually does at Atlético de Madrid. He is a midfielder with a lot of mobility and participation in the spaces; something similar to what Modric does in Croatia, albeit with more freedom. In the World Cup we find a Griezmann who manages the times and who does long runs back and forth. Plus he is imbalance in the last meters.

Finally, let’s say that all the coaches would like to experience what Scaloni is experiencing. We have a technical staff made up of guys who know what it means to play in a World Cup and this is an advantage. The fundamental thing now, when you are going through moments of logical tension, is to transmit intensity, to acquire trust and peace. My wish is that of all Argentines, who hope to be able to crown this great tournament with one last joy.