Of course, Messi and Mbappe will be the main roles in the most epic match at this World Cup, the Argentina – France final.
More notably, Mbappe is considered the brightest star in succeeding the position that Messi will leave behind in top football in the near future. How is Mbappe different from Messi, and how will opponents neutralize them in the final?
Of course, Lione Messi and Kylian Mbappe are different in many ways. But, there is one clear thing in common: they all instill fear in opposing defenses. This affects the opponent’s spirit and playing style. When experts rely on the “heat chart” to determine Messi’s active area in Argentina’s attack, thereby determining the “hot spot” worth watching in the final is the confrontation between Messi and Theo Hernandez (defender). Hernandez of the French team has a “heat chart” that coincides with Messi’s active area), this is where… the theory falls apart.
Messi is still a formidable star for any defense
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One cannot use just one player to face Messi in a duel. On the one hand, Messi’s “hunting ground” will be a place that the French defense must fear. On the other hand, we have to increase personnel there, which leads to a series of other tactical changes. Mbappe too. Poland ‘s right-back Matty Cash said he was obsessed with having to “take charge” of Mbappe, not even knowing whether to maintain a defensive position or rush into the dispute when Mbappe attacked. There must be 1-2 more people to help and cover Cash, thereby changing the entire tactical system.
Mbappe is most dangerous when he accelerates the attack, regardless of whether on the edge or in the middle. His speed, technique and finishing accuracy are all excellent. Messi is different in speed (lost to Mbappe, and doesn’t run as far as Mbappe). He is better at controlling and controlling the ball in tight spaces, and is also more sensitive in his ability to “read” the situation. Regarding this difference: Messi not only scores but also creates excellent assists while Mbappe is more inclined to score goals (and when creating, he mainly just crosses the ball). That is also the difference between Messi and Mbappe at PSG Club (Messi assists more, Mbappe scores more goals).
The way to deal with Messi (if France can do it), is to keep the ball as far away from this star as possible. Unlike Barcelona and PSG clubs, Argentina’s playing style is not based on keeping the ball much. If France can keep the ball far away from Messi, this superstar will have to retreat to find the ball, thereby reducing his power (not to mention that Messi now just… walks a lot). Also because veteran Messi is no longer as fast as he was at his peak, there is another way to stop him: marking people in a “kill” style. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot or Youssouf Fofana in the French team should often stand near Messi, even when he doesn’t have the ball.
Mbappe’s youth will make it difficult for Argentina’s defense
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The danger in this way of dealing with Messi is that although he doesn’t run fast, he can handle situations very quickly and will easily escape his marker when he has the ball (and the French defense will reveal gaps if they send someone to “catch and kill” them). Messi). With Mbappe, the best way to deal with it is to try to push him as close to the edge as possible. The problem is that Mbappe does not have a creative role like Messi. That is Antoine Griezmann ‘s job in the French team.
Defenders who try to put pressure on Mbappe will leave space for Griezmann to attack. If you get into a direct dispute with Mbappe, like Matty Cash (Poland): you might fall behind him without understanding why. If you try to stay defensive and let Mbappe turn into the middle with the ball at his feet, that will be the ultimate danger.
Of course, England and Morocco have both somewhat successfully dealt with Mbappe in recent knock-out rounds. Looking at the surface, Mbappe seems very brave, but of course not as refined and “weird” as Messi.
