Argentine players plot coup against coach to beat Nigeria
Jorge Sampaoli has sensationally fallen out with the rest of the squad and is now “no longer making decisions”, according to reports in Argentina. The South American side are in disarray after a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Croatia left them on the brink of an early exit, reports The Sun of UK.
And Argentine broadcaster TYC Sports claim the players have staged a coup against the gaffer to save their World Cup dream.
With one point in two games – coming against minnows Iceland – they must beat Nigeria in the final match on Tuesday.
But Sampaoli may not have a say in the team selection and there remains a chance that he won’t even be in charge.
TYC Sports also claim president of the Argentina Football Association Claudio Tapia has told Sampaoli that he no longer has control over the players. The players have apparently staged a coup against the gaffer ahead of the Nigeria clash
It sparks memories of the French side during the 2010 World Cup when the likes of Nicolas Anelka and Patrice Evra heavily criticised boss Raymond Domenech.
Sampaoli was set to rip up his game plan and make a whole host of changes to face Nigeria.
Willy Caballero is set for the bench following his howler with Argentina set to play with a back four.
Gonzalo Higuain could also come in to make his first start of the tournament.
Meanwhile Nigeria captain John Mikel Obi has slammed Croatia’s plans to rest their stars for Tuesday’s final group game against Iceland.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has made it clear that with his team already qualified for the last 16, he will be fielding a weakened side to face the Icelanders.