Lionel Scaloni believes that he has discovered a way that his Argentina side can "hurt" Croatia in Tuesday's World Cup 2022 semi-final clash at the Lusail Stadium.
La Albiceleste progressed to the last four after beating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes during an action-packed quarter-final clash last Friday.
Meanwhile, 2018 runners-up Croatia, who are unbeaten in their last 11 international matches, also prevailed on penalties after they stunned five-time world champions and pre-tournament favourites Brazil to win 4-2 in the shootout.
Both Argentina and Croatia are now just one victory away from booking their place in Sunday's showpiece event, and Scaloni has revealed he and his coaching staff have worked out a way to cause problems for the Checkered Ones.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Scaloni said: "[Croatia] have troubled many national teams. I won't mention the key players or their strengths and weaknesses but we've analysed where we can hurt them. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.
"We try to give it all on the pitch. Sometimes luck can be on your side. If we have a good performance, we'll have an easier road to reach our objective. But this is football, this is sport, so sometimes the best team may not win."
Scaloni will be without full-backs Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna for Tuesday's semi-final due to suspension, but the 44-year-old boss insists that he has no intention of changing his style or system.
"We have our own system, our style. Of course, in certain situations we need to take into account how the opponents are playing," Scaloni added.
"We won't change our style beyond the system and that's what we're going to do. During the game we will of course make decisions and rise up to the challenge."
Montiel and Acuna were two of 17 players booked in Argentina's quarter-final triumph over the Netherlands, but Scaloni – who also received a yellow card during the match – has defended the attitude of his squad, dismissing the criticism of "unsporting behaviour" aimed at the South American giants.
"The previous game (against the Netherlands) was played the way we had to play, that's football," said Scaloni. "Sometimes things like arguments can happen, but that's all. That's why there's a referee.
"We need to put an end to this idea that Argentina behave like this. We lost to Saudi Arabia and didn't say anything.
"We won the (2021) Copa America in Brazil and experienced the most sporting behaviour from [Lionel] Messi, [Leandro] Paredes, Neymar – who were all sitting together in the tunnel in the Maracana. I'm really not convinced of this idea of unsporting behaviour."
Indeed, Messi was one Argentina star who vented his frustration after the match and was critical of both Louis van Gaal and on-field referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz.
Nevertheless, left-back Nicolas Tagliafico – who was present alongside Scaloni at Monday's press conference – has talked up Messi's influence on the two-time world champions.
"He's always been like this, he's our captain and leader, pushing and motivating us," Tagliafico told reporters. "We have a special advantage when he's on the pitch, he's a great source of motivation.
"With everyone's support, we try to work in the same direction and achieve our dream. That's the most beautiful thing to do with Messi by our side."
Tagliafico is expected to start at left-back against Croatia in the absence of Acuna, while Nahuel Molina – who scored his first international goal for Argentina against the Netherlands – is expected to retain his place at right-back with Montiel suspended. body check tags ::
