Argentina’s coach denies Messi is dictating tactics

Lionel Messi is not dictating Argentina’s team selection and tactics, manager Jorge Sampaoli said before Saturday’s World Cup tie with France.
Sampaoli reportedly asked Messi whether he should bring on Sergio Aguero in their eventual 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the decisive group game.
Video footage showed Sampaoli and Messi in pitch-side dialogue, before substitute Aguero was introduced.
However, Sampaoli said the conversation was “not how it was characterised”.
Speaking before the last-16 match in Kazan, he added: “We looked at different options in an important game and had to make a decision.
“I was simply communicating this, saying we were going to use a strategy we had rehearsed to use more attacking players.
“It was a simple exchange I had with one of my players, that is all.”
Having followed a 1-1 draw against Iceland in their opening game with a 3-0 defeat by Croatia in their second, Argentina went into their final group fixture against Nigeria needing to win, while relying on results elsewhere.
As Iceland lost 2-1 to Croatia, Marcos Rojo’s 86th-minute volley sent Argentina through as runners-up at Nigeria’s expense.
Sampaoli said his team would summon more aggression against France, one of the favourites to win the tournament in Russia.
“We’ll play with a knife between our teeth,” he said.
“This group of players takes enormous pride in representing their country, playing for the shirt. That makes us dangerous for any opponent.
“After the game, the analysis will follow the result. They’ll say I’m an excellent manager if we win, if we lose they’ll say I’m very bad.”

Analysis
BBC Sport’s Patrick Jennings in Kazan
One day before a match that could decide so many things – perhaps even Lionel Messi’s international future – Argentina’s manager was on the defensive.
He has faced intense scrutiny at this World Cup, especially after the 3-0 defeat by Croatia.
On Friday he faced questions about dealing with adversity, about Messi’s mood, and the difficulties of setting up the Argentina team so their brilliant star could shine.
Sampaoli was also asked about his future as manager, but only in the final few minutes of a press conference that largely avoided the issue.
Amid reports that suggest he has lost the support of his players, Sampaoli’s answer again sought to turn negative into positive.
But as midfielder Ever Banega’s ears finally pricked up and his face turned inquisitively to the man sat next to him, I got the sense that particular issue could well be unaffected by Saturday’s result.

‘Each pass could be our last’
France have reached the final in the past two World Cups to be held on European soil, in 1998 and 2006
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said his team will have to “go beyond our limits” to defeat Argentina and progress to the quarter-finals.
Didier Deschamps’ side enjoyed a much more comfortable passage to the knockout stage compared to their rivals, finishing top of Group C on the strength of two victories: 2-1 over Australia and 1-0 against Peru.
However, their final performance, a dull 0-0 draw with group runners-up Denmark, was strongly criticised, with newspaper L’Equipe describing it as “distressing and disrespectful”.
“This is going to be a difficult match, we are going to have to step up our level,” Lloris said.
“We have to be full of energy, bet on our collective solidity and use it all,” he added.
“We should make all of the effort possible and leave the pitch without regretting anything because each pass, kick or throw-in may be the last in the competition.”

BBC