Pep Lijnders was asked today about his thoughts on the World Cup.
One of the players that he singled out for special praise was reported Liverpool target Enzo Fernandez.
Lijnders commented on Argentina’s incredible victory over France.
“I enjoyed it a lot. First of all I think the World Cup proved that the teams who are more collective , who were more ‘team’ were the teams that were decisive in the last stages.
It proved that you do not need to be top in the group stage to become the winner in the end. It is always about the team who grows more. I think a growing team is a dangerous team.
I think Argentina is a prime example of this. I think tactically always you have to see the context. A knock-out tournament over a short period of time is something completely different to a Premier League over a long period of time. People misunderstand that.
This is what I like about Argentina. They play to their strengths. Take for example, Rodrigo De Paul. He is like a sweeper behind Messi. Messi is on the inside he (De Paul) goes to the outside, Messi is on the inside he goes to the outside.
They play to their strenghts. Enzo (Fernandez), McAllister, how they manage midfield together with Rodrigo, but especially these two. How they balance each other. Messi, not to speak about.
I said already before. If you see it (Messi) from 5 metre, I never witnessed before, the speed. He (Messi) was decisive in many attacks, along with Enzo (Fernandez) of course. They grew in the tournament.”
