Herzog: "It's going to be really tough for Argentina"

The FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada is entering its final week.

In episode 12 of the podcast "HERZERL mit JANKO", Andreas Herzog and Marc Janko specifically discuss the two semi-final matches.

Defending champions Argentina are once again in the final after a show of strength. In England, Thomas Tuchel is under criticism for relying on a defensive block while holding a lead. Herzog draws a comparison to the Mexico match.

"If you remember the game against Mexico: Tuchel was highly praised for the last 20 minutes, for having only a back five, for bringing on Dan Burn who headed everything away – he did everything right. Today he did the exact same thing and also wanted to bring on two or three defensive players because the Argentinians were getting too many crosses. In terms of the idea, completely correct."

Herzog and Janko Rave About Argentina

Ultimately, however, this was the wrong idea: "You see how difficult coaching is for a manager. I still stand by it: they let themselves be pushed back too much, and that wasn't good."

However, both were particularly impressed by the Argentinians' mentality. While Janko couldn't stop raving about Messi, Herzog added: "They were practically flying across the pitch. The English became increasingly tired and sluggish, while the Argentinians became fresher and more active."

However, the 103-cap international doesn't want to attribute everything to Tuchel: "It's not just the coach who's necessarily to blame. You also have to question the English defensive players."

"That's what defines Spain"

Previously, Spain had already pulled the plug on the French national team. For Janko, it's clear that Lucas Digne was a "miscast" as a left-back: "He seemed lost. It's tough against Yamal, of course, but I would have considered Hernandez the better choice."

Herzog doesn't entirely agree with that: "Theo Hernandez is, of course, a great attacking full-back, but defensively he would have had even more problems than Digne."

However, the decisive factor for the former national team captain was the quality of the Furia Roja: "They have brilliant players in attack, and they are just as brilliant in defence."

The "Albiceleste" could also feel this in the final: "This mix of being extremely strong defensively, the magicians upfront, and Rodri in the center, who is back in absolute top form, is what defines Spain, and that will be really tough for Argentina," says Herzog.

The Full Episode: