Why Javier Mascherano should start in midfield for Argentina at Copa America

Javier Mascherano is still best in midfield for Argentina

Even though Argentina have one less Copa America title compared to Uruguay, it is without any doubt the best performing team in the history of the tournament and a total of 26 appearances in the final bear testament to this fact. But in recent years, the performance of the team in the tournament has been below par.

If Gerardo Martino desires to lift the trophy for a record-equalling 15th time and erase the bad memories of the recent past, then he has to play Javier Mascherano in the midfield.

On having a thorough look at the Copa America squad of Argentina, one can draw similarities to the problems the team was facing exactly a year ago. Alejandro Sabella, this time last year, was solving the jigsaw puzzle of getting the right combination of forwards and defenders to fit into his system.

He was short of the right kind of central defenders and even though Argentina were weaker in defence compared to other sections, Sabella never used Mascherano in the defence.

Martino too should not try to fit a square peg in a round hole by playing Mascherano in the defence. Here are the two main reasons why Mascherano should be used in front of the defenders:

Stability added to the team with Mascherano in midfield

First and foremost, apart from Lucas Biglia, none of the other midfielders in the squad can be trusted with the role of the defensive midfielder. A defensive midfielder holds the key to unlocking a team’s defence.

While Ever Banega and Roberto Pereyra are more adept to helping add thrust by running at the opposition and making late darts into the box, Fernando Gago has not been up to the mark for Boca Juniors, as far as his performance on the pitch is concerned. The only other midfielder left is Javier Pastore, who, as we all know, is not of the defensive mould.

A Biglia–Gago/Banega–Pastore midfield trio will result in chaos in the defensive third, however effective and lethal it might prove while attacking. So playing Mascherano as one of the central defenders will put further pressure on Martino, as he would have to scratch his head to find the right balance and stability in midfield.

Of course, leaving an experienced player out would lead to unstable situations, which could also have a negative effect on the forwards. Even though a team with Mascherano at the back might look strong on paper, it would face big problems while on the field.

Would Martino want such a situation to arise? I think not.

Ability to drop in as the third central defender

Mascherano dropping between the defenders and being the team’s Bat-Man (yes, Lionel Messi is the Super-Man) by working hard, making those brave last-ditch tackles and even getting kicked by the opponents was a common scene at Argentina’s World Cup matches last year and we enjoyed every bit of his actions.

He was the unheralded hero (although he came into the limelight as the tournament progressed) of the team. It was in fact very shrewd of Sabella to play Mascherano in the midfield.

Mascherano, by covering for the two defenders acted like a libero and masked the frail defence of his team. Against a very physical and direct team of Ecuador earlier this year, it was Mascherano who played exceptionally well as the defensive midfielder to secure a somewhat lucky 2-1 win for Argentina.

Mascherano dropping deep to provide cover and sweep the ball as a part of his defensive duties.

Mascherano providing a passing option for his team-mate, Ezequiel Garay.

Although he has partnered Gerard Pique at the heart of the Barcelona defence most of the time this season, that should not be a problem for the Argentine since he has done very well as a midfielder whenever he has been given the chance.

Mascherano is the heartbeat of this Argentina team. By playing Mascherano in the right position, Martino will have one less problem (yes, there’s one more – right combination of the forwards).