Argentina consider dropping Lionel Messi’s ‘bodyguard’ in radical World Cup semi-final change

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni is reportedly toying with a formation change which could squeeze out Rodrigo De Paul.

The reigning World Cup champions have set up in a 4-1-3-2 or 4-4-2 throughout this tournament, but tradition may be abandoned for their semi-final clash against England.

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Argentinian publication Ole has reported Scaloni could be tempted to go for a 5-3-2 formation having utilised it during Monday’s training session.

Midfield squeeze is on

Should Scaloni opt for an extra defender over a body in midfield, which would likely be centre-back Nicolas Otamendi, De Paul may be the one who is forced to make way.

In Argentina’s quarter-final win over Switzerland, Scaloni had De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Leandro Paredes all in the starting team.

De Paul has typically been stationed on the right side of the field, meaning he is often in close proximity to Lionel Messi.

The fact De Paul is often first on the scene whenever an opponent confronts Messi has earned him the moniker of being the Golden Boot leader’s ‘bodyguard’.

However, if Scaloni goes to a three-man midfield of Paredes, Fernandez and Mac Allister, Messi could find himself isolated.

Argentina’s semi-final against England would not be the first time Scaloni has switched to a 5-3-2 formation in a high-stakes World Cup encounter.

Scaloni used the system to great effect at the 2022 edition when Argentina beat the Netherlands in the quarter-final.

For that match, the midfield was comprised of Fernandez, Mac Allister and De Paul, with Paredes coming on off the bench.

It ended up being one of the spikiest World Cup clashes in history, with a staggering 48 fouls being called.

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Tensions continued to boil over after the game, with Messi even shouting at Dutch striker Wout Weghorst during a post-match interview.

Although Messi has since expressed his regret regarding the incident, there is expected to be plenty of friction for Wednesday’s semi-final given the historical context behind the fixture.

The two nations contested the Falklands War over 40 years ago amid a dispute over ownership of the Falkland Islands.

Risky business

Along with the potential for a geopolitical storm, the FBI has declared it the highest risk fixture of the entire tournament to date.

Wednesday’s fixture marks the first time England and Argentina have played each other since a friendly in November 2005.

Intriguingly, it will be the fifth time the nations have squared off at the World Cup, having previously done so in 1966, 1986, 1998 and 2002.

The clash, which will be broadcast live on talkSPORT, is scheduled to kick-off at 8pm.