Argentina - Brazil: Sampaoli's debut

(Baonghean.vn) - At 5:15 p.m. on June 9 (Vietnam time) at the Cricket Ground in Melbourne (Australia), the South American El Clasico match between Argentina and Brazil will take place. This is the first official match of the 'Tango dancers' under coach Sampaoli.

Although it was just a friendly match, the confrontation between the two giants of world football did not lose the attention of football fans, especially those who supported the Argentina national team. After a series of disappointments from the time of coach Tata Martino to the time of coach Bauza, the fans of the "Land of Tango" are waiting for the changes of their team thanks to the strategic talent of new captain Sampaoli. There is no better "test" for Messi and his teammates than the rival Brazil.

Sampaoli (right) on his debut as head coach of the Argentina national team. Photo: Internet.

After much speculation, the hot seat at Argentina finally belonged to Sampaoli. Many experts said that the relationship between the former Sevilla coach and his hometown team was like “a match made in heaven”. Indeed, over the years, Sampaoli has always expressed his desire to sit in the position of head coach of Argentina and lead Messi.

The dream has now come true, Sampaoli's mission is nothing more than to build Albicelestes into a powerful team, overcome the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in South America and win the championship in Russia next summer.

Argentina have found a trustworthy name to steer the ship that is about to sink. With Sampaoli, fans of the blue and white striped team are somewhat assured of their position on the coaching bench.

It is not an exaggeration to say that, in the past decade, Sampaoli is the captain who has received the most trust from experts, players and fans of the Argentina national team. Therefore, his debut in the match against Brazil, even though it was just a friendly match, still made many people eagerly look forward to it.

On the other side of the front line, the yellow-green team entered this battle very comfortably. To prepare for the match with their arch-rival, Argentina, coach Tite did not call up stars in high form such as Neymar, Alves, Marcelo... instead, he only called up names that have rarely played in the starting lineup for the national team in recent times.

But don't underestimate the fighting spirit and desire to win of the Brazilian team. The honor in the South American El Clasico does not allow coach Tite and his team to take it lightly.

Messi (left) competes for the ball with Neymar during a match between the two teams in November 2016. Photo: Internet.

Another victory over their hated neighbours will confirm the revival of the team that has won the World Cup five times. Besides, through the match against Argentina, coach Tite will look for new factors to back up the pillars and increase the depth of the squad.

The players called up this time also see this as an opportunity to prove themselves, to gain the trust of coach Tite. In a football country full of talent like Brazil, being included in the national team is a huge honor.

Looking at such things, we can see that the match between Argentina and Brazil in Australia is not simply a harmless competition, with heavy commercial implications. Both teams do not consider this a walk in the park, like most other friendly matches.

Will coach Tite continue to help Brazil win, or will new captain Sampaoli help the team repay the debt they owed last November?

Thanh Hung