Dugout Discussion
16 June 2018 673 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
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Argentina’s opening World Cup fixture against Iceland is all about Lionel Messi (£12.0m), even from a Fantasy perspective.

The Barcelona striker comes into the first match of Group D as the only player above 10 percent ownership.

He is the second most owned forward on McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy, and with good reason. In Argentina’s last six qualifying matches, he was the only one of their players to find the net.

Outside of Messi, on whom the team is very reliant, the next most popular asset is defender Nicolas Otamendi (£6.0m).

Five percent of Fantasy managers have taken interest in Willy Caballero (£5.0m), the number two goalkeeper who was promoted in light of Sergio Romero’s injury.

Argentina’s opponents Iceland have been completely written off from a Fantasy perspective with just three players considered for inclusion in squads.

Midfielders Emil Hallfredsson (£4.5m) and Samuel Fridjonsson (£4.5m) are on three and two percent ownership respectively, but both look like cost-saving signings given that they are not regular first-team players.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (£8.0m), involved in eight of Iceland’s goals during qualifying, is owned by one percent.

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  1. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Passes
    ARG 333
    ISL 70

    Yet its still 1-1

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Different ways to play football. As I said, Iceland recognise their limitations - they set up to nullify the opposition and then play long ball and set pieces football. I like it - makes the game more competitive. Rubbish watching teams lose 5-0 / 6-0.

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        The height advantage plays to their strength as well.

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Probably 75 percent of those passes from argentina were sideways

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, number of passes means jack schit.

    3. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      300 passes between CBs and back passes

      1. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Otamendi forgetting there's no BAPs in WC FF.

  2. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Soggy

  3. SW6
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Surely that's a pen

    1. Fantastisk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Looked it

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A shove, but a bit rough to a call a pen

    3. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Not a chance. (Assuming you me the body block of a follow up on the penalty spot).

  4. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Messi (c) fail

  5. EmreCan Hustle
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Messi looks frustrated, just like Suarez was in the first half.

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Good defending by Iceland.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Oh yeah. Very good. And they make the most of their attacking moves

  6. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Impressive from both teams. Really good.

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Very entertaining 🙂

  7. F4L
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Iceland Croatia should be a good game

  8. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Atrocious so far from Argentina. Mascherano and Biglia can’t transition effectively from defense to attack, leading Messi and Aguero to drop deep. Defense a horror show, especially Salvio (not surprising). Caballero giving me heart attacks. Not enough speed in attack, looking very lethargic. Thank God we have a striker that can bury the only chance he gets though.

    1. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Aguero looked so clinical, very happy he got his WC goal. Too bad about the defence and mid though!

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        They need to feed him, arguably the best striker at this tournament

    2. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      They're playing well but have just come up against a very good and solid big white brick wall. This is really good defending by Iceland.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        We expected this. But the passing has been so lethargic, making Iceland’s job a lot easier.

    3. phace
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Biglia has always been an absolute lump of a player.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Can’t stand him, almost hate him as much as Higuain

    4. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Was thinking this about the Messi/Ronaldo debate.
      Usually people argue Messi plays in the better national team, based on qualifying, and recently friendlies, I’m not sure it’s that obvious anymore.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Dunno why it's a debate. They are the best two players ever to play the game. End of debate.

        1. HamezMace
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Yes I think that much everyone can agree on.
          But who’s the best will forever be debated.

          My point was that people say Argentina are better than Portugal, taking Messi and Ronaldo out of it. I’m saying I don’t think there’s much between them.

          1. SW6
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            It will forever be debated but there will never be an answer

            1. HamezMace
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Agreed on the individuals, my point was about the overall quality of their respective national teams

            2. Dr Dream
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Don't know why folk feel the need to name one better than the other...it's quite an odd thing to do really when you think about it.

              1. HamezMace
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 10 months ago

                It’s not that weird, people talk about who’s the greatest in all sports, Gretski, Ali, Lara, Federer etc

          2. Fantastisk
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Look at the FIFA national team rankings over the period the two have been playing.

            1. HamezMace
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Betting odds going into the World Cup,

              Argentina 10/1
              Portugal 26/1

      2. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Portugal would trash us. They’ve had a more balanced team over the last 4 years

        1. HamezMace
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Interesting you say that.
          I think it’s pretty even, ARG have a better all round attack, but nothing else, as you say overall POR better balanced. But I think the general opinion was that ARG were better.

          1. ★Kuntheman★
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            That’s because everyone sees the list of forwards and just assumes we’re good

            1. HamezMace
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Strong international history as well

          2. SW6
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            On paper yes. But in reality I would be very confident on Portugal beating Argentina.

            1. HamezMace
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Let’s hope it happened for the sake of football....the match I mean, not necessarily the result

          3. Dr Dream
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Very difficult to even look at that.

            Messi is very much more a team player than Ronaldo and whilst the entire Barca style is geared up to play the "Messi way" his national team isn't..or doesn't want to.

            Ronaldo on the other hand is more of an individual who doesn't need the team to play the "Ronaldo way"...just give him the ball.

            1. HamezMace
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              I agree with what you’re saying.

              Again you could argue because of the wealth of attacking talent ARG have they don’t need to play just to Messi strengths.

              Whereas POR only really have Ronaldo as an attacking option, so it makes sense to build the team set up around him

    5. Ghost Gooner
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Midfield needs Pastore or Banega

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Midfield is crying for Banega, even Lo Celso will do. Something over the lethargic Biglia and Mascherano.

        And bring on Mercado for Salvio and Dybala for Meza

      2. el polako
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Riquelme would be the answer.

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Amen brother

    6. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      That was a nice snapshot by Aguero, quick turn and shot to top.corner.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Went nuts when he got it in the box, I’ve seen the lad do that sort of thing for years

  9. Critical Observer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Who got the ”assist” for Kun’s individual moment of excellence?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Rojo, scuffed shot

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Rojo if anyone.

    3. Critical Observer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks guys.

  10. Sancidino
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on the tackle on biglia?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      It's quite impressive.

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Retro 3 game ban.

  11. Zilla
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    get pavon on

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      This.i'd like to see if there was any substance to the hype surrounding him

  12. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Just a thought....
    Is Meza occupying Lanzini's spot had he not been injured?

    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  13. Salahbrate
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    How is Meza doing??

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Very direct, compared to the rest of the team. Doesn't hold the ball for long, makes runs and gets crosses in.

      1. Salahbrate
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Sounds decent

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Playing style is similar to Sane, but doesn't take on defenders often.

  14. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Again Ota witht the header from the set piece
    Im getting him in

  15. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Iceland corner. Could be dangerous here.

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Nope :p

  16. F4L
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    That's a pen no?

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      The handball in ARG box? I thought maybe, but it was a halfhearted appeal by Iceland anyway.

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        yeah. There was a lack of appeal, but that's an unnatural position for a hand to be when jumping for a header, so I thought it'd would be given

    2. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      It's not like he could avoid getting hit.

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        aye it was close quarters, but there's no need to have your hands up there in the first place

        1. Hamstergod
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah, you're right , just didn't feel like it was the kind of hand to warrant a penalty.

  17. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Banega on, Biglia off

  18. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Biglollia

  19. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Messi has been shite so far.

    This game needs Dybala

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      They may need to change the title of this article soon!

  20. el polako
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Diego with itchy nostril...
    Some things will never change.

    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Haha was about to comment the same. Amazed he's still alive with the lifestyle he must live.

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      😀

    3. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He was just after coming back from the toilet (again)

    4. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Resnorted

  21. Exilizer
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Those of you with Griezman (c) are you satisfied with 8*2? Or twisting?

    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Depends on who you have, I'm most likely twisting to Muller and/or Lukaku.

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Tempted to switch to Jesus but will probably stick

    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'm switching because I'm not a wuss.

  22. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Has anyone found a twitter account reporting all of the assists? None of my usual channels seem to be doing it. Cheers.

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      On my phone app neither goal was assisted. (LiveScore).

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  23. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    I love that icelandic slow clap. Chills

    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      this! one more good reason to support them 🙂

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        And having them in the works sweepstake 🙄

        1. Hamstergod
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Good reason as well 🙂

  24. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Come on Messi ....

  25. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Any chance Caballero takes this?

  26. Meinhoff
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Meza earned the penalty well done my boy

  27. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Messi peno

  28. Meinhoff
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Wow Messi miss

  29. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Missi

  30. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Demied!!!