Argentina most capped player Javier Mascherano has given his opinion about their group D opponents at the Russia 2018 World Cup as the day of commencement of the tournament draws near.
Group D has Argentina, Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria jostling for the two available spots to qualify from the group to the round of 16 and Mascherano said all teams have their special qualities.
While he admitted that Croatia have top class players and Iceland are a very organised side, he also said Nigeria are one team who are usually very hard to beat base on previous encounters against the Super Eagles at the World Cup.
Nigeria will be playing against Argentina for the 5th time at the World Cup and Mascherano has played in two of their previous tie against Nigeria namely the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“Croatia are a first-class side with top players, especially in the midfield, such as Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Rakitic … Perisic; a team to watch out, quality squad. And Nigeria are quite well known to us, we’ve always met in the last World Cup”, the 34 year old said upon arrival in Russia with the Brazilian team.
“They’re tough, not just because of their physical power, but because their disorganisation has the effect of disorganising you as a rival. And that’s when teams like ours suffer the most – in disorder.”
Ade Emmanuel
