06-17-2014, 01:57 AM
Now we know why Argentina in general, and Messi in particular were so poor the first half against Bosnia:
Argentina star Lionel Messi admitted to nerves in his side's victory over Bosnia-Hercegovina during their first game of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
BBC Sport - Lionel Messi had first game jitters for Argentina World Cup match
Argentina lined up against Bosnia with three centre backs and only Aguero ahead of Messi. And though they were soon ahead, courtesy of an early own goal, it was apparent that all was not well with the side. The first five or six times that Messi received the ball, he went for a run and was dispossessed. He had no options around him to give a pass, and Bosnia were able to get enough players around him to snuff out any danger. Argentina were a goal up at half time, but were extremely flattered by their lead. It had been a shambolic 45 minutes from a team with apparently little idea of what it was supposed to be doing. Sabella took surgical action.
BBC Sport - World Cup 2014: Lionel Messi shines after tactical change