From impostor to best manager! Scaloni wrote myths for four years and helped Messi's dream come true

After Argentina swept the FIFA awards ceremony by sweeping the four major awards, the Spanish media and celebrities like Casillas praised Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti. However, looking at Scaloni's great achievements, Carlotti should send his blessings to the civilian manager.

"Impostor"

Whether as a player or as an assistant, Scaloni was unremarkable until he took over as Argentina manager. However, daring to take over the coaching whip from Sampaoli after the World Cup fiasco showed Scaloni's great courage.

First, Argentina lost miserably at the 2018 World Cup and was dubbed by the media as the worst blue and white in 30 years. Sampaoli even fell out with the dressing room led by Messi and Mascherano, and was even emptied. In the book "The World Cup is History", the famous writer Xenosian revealed that after losing to Croatia, Messi angrily told Sampaoli, "We don't trust you anymore." ”

Secondly, after the World Cup in Russia, veterans such as Mascherano, Higuain, Rojo, and Banega withdrew from the national team, and only a few Messi and Otamendi remained, which means that the blue and white will usher in a painful renewal process.

Because of this, Simeone, Pochettino, Bielsa, Gallardo and other famous Argentine coaches have refused the invitation of the Argentine Football Association. In desperation, the Argentine Football Association could only choose to let Sampaoli's assistant coach Scaloni take over.

At this time, Scaloni was only 40 years old and had never coached the first team, only serving as Sampaoli's assistant coach in Sevilla and Argentina's national team, which was too thin to be qualified to coach the blue and whites.

As a result, Scaloni was bombarded by industry insiders. Maradona called Scaloni an "impostor": "He could sign up for the MotoGP World Series instead of playing in the World Cup." Not to mention coaching the national team, he can't direct road traffic. ”

The famous writer Didonato even believes that Scaloni only relied on his relationship with the players, "He can coach the national team only because he has a good relationship with the players, or some people think he can do well." ”

Breaking the 28-year crownless curse

Perhaps no one expected that the "impostor" would become a hero of Argentine football four years later, comparable to legendary managers like Menotti and Bilardo.

How to activate a team in transition, Scaloni did not make it complicated. First of all, he has truly built a united team with Messi's core, which is extremely rare in the history of the blue and whites.

Second, he abandoned Argentina's traditional tactics based on short passes in favor of fast and concise tactics. In the 2018 World Cup, France and Croatia used this tactical system, and the defeat by France in the quarterfinals made Scaloni fond of such tactics, he later said, "It's my favorite style, now it's time to implant it in Argentina." ”

Equally important, Scaloni assembled a midfield centered on Lo Celso, Paredes and De Paul, all three of whom were Argentina's absolute workhorses and Messi's good helpers for the next four years.

With this foundation in place, Argentina recovered at the 2019 Copa America, and after losing to Colombia in the first game, Scaloni quickly corrected his mistakes, changed tactics and helped Argentina get back on the road to victory with pragmatism. Despite being eliminated by hosts Brazil in the semi-finals, fans have seen a team hungry for victory and full of energy, as well as a Messi who shows leadership.

Before the 2021 Copa America, two World Qualifiers gave Scaloni the last two "puzzles": Romero and Martinez, whose presence solved the defensive problems that had plagued Argentina for a long time.

At the 2021 Copa America, Skonini's coaching bore fruit, Argentina won the title after defeating Brazil, breaking the curse of 28 years of not winning the title and breaking this layer of window paper. Messi won the first title of his national team career by winning the golden ball, golden boot and assist king, and also had the most exciting performance of his national team career.

Why did he beat Carlo Ancelotti?

Even with Lionel Messi, one of the best players of all time, and even if they are unbeaten in the first 36 World Cup matches, Argentina has never been seen as a true favourite, and teams such as Brazil, France and even England are favored.

Lo Celso's absence due to injury left Argentina without an offensive and defensive hub, and the consequence was a loss to Saudi Arabia in the first game, creating the biggest upset in World Cup history. In the face of great pressure, Scaloni did not mess up, but reactivated the Blue and White in the second half of the match against Mexico.

With a superstar like Messi, a united team, and Scaloni's flexibility, the Blanzzeri did not repeat the mistakes of the past, but like Spain in 2010, they finally won the title after losing the first game.

Despite relying on veterans such as Messi, Otamendi and Di Maria, Scaloni does not ignore young players, even in the World Cup, he dares to use new stars such as Enzo, Fernandes and Alvarez, the former became the Premier League all-time champion in the winter window with his outstanding performance in the World Cup.

If Carloni Ancelotti, who led Real Madrid to victory in the Champions League and La Liga, played a good card very well, then Scaloni played a normal card to the limit. After 28 years without winning the title, Scaloni won three trophies in a row in just 18 months, including the Copa America, the European and American Cups, and the World Cup, helping Messi and the Argentine realize their dreams.

It is precisely because of this outstanding performance that the blue and white team is called the "Scaloni team" and not the "Messi team". After winning Goalkeeper of the Year, Martinez said, "Without Scaloni, there would be no Scaloni's team. ”

Looking back on Scaloni's four years in charge, it is no surprise that he was able to win Coach of the Year against Carlottti. In terms of points, Scaloni scored 28 points, while Carlotti scored only 17.

From an "impostor" to becoming the first Argentine manager to win the Copa America and European Cup, and the first Argentine to be elected FIFA's Coach of the Year, Scaloni spent four years composing his own fairy tale and belonging to the Argentines.