Don’t blame the players, blame me: Sampaoli

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli, who recently took charge of the national team cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines as Spain toyed with Argentina during their 6-1 victory at Madrid in an international friendly.

In theory, these international friendlies ahead of the World Cup in Russia are crucial for measuring yourself against some of the best in the world. Brazil played against Germany and Argentina faced off Spain yesterday night. The results may not be the best judge of things to come but the football showed how far off the pace Argentina really are in international football. Sampaoli had been working on more dynamics with the team but it was an impossible to balance the side against a far more technically superior side in the form of Spain. Spain eased through the game. Andres Iniesta, at 33 showed why he is still one of the greatest ever to grace the football field while Isco showed what he can do with more freedom on the pitch.

Sampaoli recognized that such a gulf in class cannot exist when the World Cup starts in June this year. Argentina, playing without Messi were able to create a few chances but the lack of confidence from forwards showed up once again. The coach took responsibility for the hammering -- after all he picks the lineup.

"I take the blame for the goals, don't point to the players," he accepted in front of the media. "The difference [between the sides] in the game wasn't as large as the result.

"We have to learn from this. It cannot happen in the World Cup,” he said.

Messi was missing and it showed with the way Spain could play with more adventure in their minds. Argentina’s defensive stability in some form is due to the threat that Messi provides upfront as opponents are more worried about what can happen to their backline.

For Sampaoli it will still be of significance that Messi did not feature. He needs a squad of players who can play for the country and not another one-man-team in the coming World Cup. However, he was grateful that Messi was with the team, after all the number 10 helps out in training.

"Messi trained with us, but then he felt tired and couldn't play," added Sampaoli.

"He was with the group all the time because he is very involved for the World Cup.

"He has kept close proximity to the national team, helping the new guys out."

One thing was certain last night, Spain is onto their rhythm and football while Argentina are yet to find what works for them behind Lionel Messi.