Barcelona can work wonders with Alejandro Sabella at the helm
Despite his huge successes at club level, Lionel Messi has not had fortune take his side for Argentina. Nearly all head coaches have failed him, with one exception. But can Barcelona bring him to the Camp Nou?
After a series of jobs as assistant manager, a 55-year old Alejandro Sabella was finally appointed as manager by Estudiantes in 2009. In his very first season as head coach, the former Argentina international led Estudiantes to the Copa Libertadores title.
That victory set up a run to the Club World Cup final, where they matched up against Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side. Sabella’s men took the game to extra-time, where a winner coincidentally scored by Lionel Messi gave Barça the win.
Sabella won the Superliga Argentina the next season, before officially stepping down. Then, Al-Jazira came calling and the veteran coach almost joined the oil-rich UAE side. But the Argentina Football Association stepped in and offered the job to him.
And thus, Sabella donned the hat of many of his former international teammates, most notably Diego Maradona. He began his tenure on a low, with Argentina crashing out of the Copa América after losing on penalties to Uruguay in the quarter-finals.
But after that, he revolutionised Argentine football. Inculcating elements of both schools of Argentine footballing thought, Sabella implemented a 4-3-3 formation. He made full use of the considerable attacking resources at hand, and got the best out of Messi.
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Messi was the focal point of Sabella’s Argentina team, acting in a free role from the right wing. In midfield, the creative talent of Fernando Gago and Ever Banega made for a dominant supply line. The experience of Javier Mascherano helped repel counter-attacks.
Ezequiel Lavezzi became an important player, with Ángel Di María often slotting into a playmaking role to make room for the then-PSG man. Up top, it was either Sergio Agüero or Gonzalo Higuaín leading the line as poachers.
At the back, Ezequiel Garay and youngster Marcos Rojo were the leading lights. But most importantly, Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta formed a partnership with Lionel Messi down the right flank matching that of Dani Alves at Barça.
With Sabella in charge, Argentina topped the South American group for World Cup qualification. The Albiceleste averaged more than 2 goals a game on the road to Rio, and lost just twice in the entire campaign. In the end, Argentina travelled to Brazil as one of the favourites.
In the 2014 World Cup, Argentina had a dream run to the final. The Messi-led possession-dominating team never trailed in the entire tournament. The draw was a little favourable to Argentina, but the group stages were capped off by 4 goals from Messi.
In the round of 16 and the quarter-finals, Argentina comfortably went past Switzerland and Belgium respectively although the final scoreline did not show it. The semi-final was a closely-fought encounter, and the Albiceleste beat the Netherlands on penalties.
In the final, Argentina were favourites. But Messi was led down by his teammates, as Higuaín missed an easy opportunity. Ultimately, Mario Götze scored the winner in the 117th minute of extra-time, and Germany were crowned world champions.
It was a cruel defeat for both Messi and Sabella, with the manager resigning soon after the final. A well-oiled Argentina team had reached the final for the first time in 24 years, only to be thwarted by a last-gasp strike in extra time.
But this tragic story could still have a happy ending. Alejandro Sabella’s tactics show that he can complement Lionel Messi perfectly, and even managed to come close to beating Guardiola’s all-powerful Barça side in 2009.
Sabella likes a patient style of possession, and his technically gifted Argentina squad resembles the current Barça side. Young players in midfield, superstars in attack and a flamboyant but shaky backline. He got the best out of them, and there is no reason why he can’t do the same at Barça.
If there is one thing about Alejandro Sabella which sets him apart from other top managers, it is his picky nature. In his entire managerial career, he has only been at two teams as head coach. Barcelona will have a hard time trying to convince him to return to management, but it will be worth it.
There are very few managers with the ability to lead Barça to even greater heights, and they are both linked to the club somehow. They are José Mourinho, and Alejandro Sabella.