Mascherano and the task of making everyone happy: “Many times the one outside is more important than the owner”

Gradually, the World Cup climate begins to take over San Juan. The calm of the extra long weekend ended this Monday when a group of 200 fans went to the hotel where the national team is concentrated to cheer and ask for a photo or an autograph. As usual, Javier Mascherano, Luke Romero AND Valentine boatin that order, they were the most applauded.

The coach is also changing chips trying to leave behind the joy for the great group area that the team has achieved and on which to start betting Nigeria, the tough rival of the round of 16 at the Bicentennial. He knows mask which, first of all, It will be a physical and long-term duel. Then try different variations.

What the coach seems to have defined is the tactical scheme: he will focus on the 4-2-2-2 with which he played the first two games instead of the 4-3-3 with which he made his debut against New Zealand. But there are guys fighting to make the headlines, among which Luka Romero, Gino Infantino and Federico Redondo stand out.