By David Kabiyesi
Argentina head coach, Javier Mascherano has warned his players to be wary of Nigeria’s threat as they go into today’s round of 16 clash.
Speaking ahead of the match, Mascherano said their one hundred percent record in the group stage would amount to nothing if Nigeria’s physicality and counter-attacking style is allowed to take charge.
“Nigeria is a strong rival, especially physically . We know the record it has in these categories. It is a classic in this competition.
“We have analyzed it, you have to be very careful with your direct play, with your players in the middle forward and above all, in their transitions because they can do a lot of damage.
“It is a team that will be waiting when we have the ball, to recover and come out of counterattack .
“Running we are not going to beat them. It is essential that the ball be ours . I imagine a game in which we have control through possession and from there, go attacking as a block and not with players off the hook.
“Doing that implies a long team and with that Nigeria takes advantage of us. We must go phase by phase”.Mascherano was quoted as saying by ESPN