Tim Vickery: Argentina’s caretaker boss Lionel Scaloni appears ready to take on the challenge in a permanent role
South American football expert Tim Vickery argues there could be a case for Scaloni being handed the manager's job on a permanent basis
LAST Friday in their first match after the World Cup, Argentina were clearly Lionel’s team – but not Lionel Messi.
Instead, former West Ham right back Lionel Scaloni stamped his imprint on to proceedings.
He has been named as caretaker coach while Argentina look around and take their time making a permanent choice.
Given his lack of coaching experience, Scaloni’s appointment is understandably controversial.
But the man himself is showing no signs of timidity.
When he called up his first squad last month, Scaloni was full of bold claims.
“We believe that football is becoming more direct, and that is the type of football we like – winning possession to get in a position to shoot as quickly as possible,” he grandly declared.
Latest football features
“In the World Cup it was clear that the winning teams were those who transitioned the ball quickly.
"France and Croatia won the ball and were in on goal in 3 or 4 seconds.
KEEP IT UP Tim Vickery: Alisson faces battle to remain Brazil’s first-choice goalkeeper in direct competition with Ederson
"It is the way the game is going, it’s what I like and this is the moment to implant it in Argentina.”
It comes across as the speech of a man with at least half an eye on winning the job on a permanent basis – which would be a very bold move.
It could only happen as a consequence of convincing results and performances in this year’s friendlies – and Scaloni certainly got off to an excellent start with a 3-0 win over Guatemala.
In Lose Angeles, Argentina produced a Hollywood first half, totally dominating the game and scoring all of their goals before the interval.
Even bearing in mind the weakness of the opposition, Argentina’s performance was impressive.
The team contained just three players who went to the World Cup.
There were five debutants – and six more came on in the second half.
And yet, after just a few training sessions, Argentina looked like a coherent team with a clear idea of playing.
The most impressive area was central midfield.
Leandro Paredes moved the ball superbly, and it was no coincidence that the team declined when he came off at half time.
His replacement, Santiago Ascacibar, did well in his marking duties, but lacks the same range of passing.
Alongside Paredes, Giovane Lo Celso looked like a class act with his movement and his left footed quality.
And with the ball flowing quickly through the team, Argentina’s wingers were brought into the game quickly and could cause havoc behind the opposing defensive line.
Clearly, though, stiffer tests will come.
There is an obvious problem with Scaloni’s desire for football which is direct – or ‘vertical,’ as it is referred to in this part of the world.
Most read in football
Against better teams, the clear danger of moving the ball forward quickly is that when the move breaks down the team will be left stretched out – and Argentina’s sub-standard current crop of defenders will be exposed.
Tonight in New Jersey Colombia will provide more interesting opposition – and even more fascinating will be next month’s clash with Brazil.
If Colombia currently have a caretaker coach, Brazil have retained Tite and, under pressure to win next year’s Copa America on home ground, will surely put out a strong and experienced line up.
It all promises to be an intriguing challenge for Argentina’s new Lionel.