Sampaoli set for bizarre formation

Messi will be missed at the friendly between Argentina and Singapore.

Lionel Messi might be missing from Argentina’s friendly in Singapore but Jorge Sampaoli is ready to field numerous attackers in his absence.

Jorge Sampaoli hopes to see evidence of aggressive defensive play from Argentina as he prepares to send out a remarkably attacking line-up for Tuesday’s friendly with Singapore.

Speaking at a pre-match news conference, Sampaoli discussed his widely reported switch to a lesser-spotted 2-3-4-1 system in Kallang, with centre-backs Federico Fazio and Emanuel Mammana the only two recognised defenders in the speculated starting XI.

Argentina won their first game under the former Sevilla boss when they beat rivals Brazil 1-0 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sampaoli hopes an unusual set-up versus Varadaraju Sundramoorthy’s side will help to show him how adept certain squad members are when it comes to adapting to his aggressive pressing style.

“There’s the possibility that there’s two central defenders with one back up,” he said. “The defence of the team are the 10 players, just like the match against Brazil showed.

“What we will be looking for in this game will be the development of defensive organization, which has a lot to do with pressuring to recover the ball immediately.

“In the game against Singapore what we can do is be very aggressive defensively with the 10 players on the field.”

SOURCE: BESOCCER