Player Focus: La Liga's Argentine Defenders Hoping for International Recognition

The riches that Alejandro Sabella has available when it comes to Argentina’s attack are the envy of the footballing world, but as far as defensive options go their depth isn’t quite as vast. While it appears that the coach has already chosen his centre-back options, two players from La Liga are looking to make it on La Albiceleste’s flight to Brazil this summer.

Mateo Musacchio and Federico Fazio are both experiencing outstanding seasons - perhaps their best since arriving in Spain – and with it they’re clearly eyeing a slot alongside Ezequiel Garay in Argentina’s team. The other common factor between the pair until now was a rapid loss of form, which has now been addressed with a significant revival in fortunes.

Musacchio saw his Villarreal team slip out of the top flight, as his performances came under scrutiny for a lack of authority and decisiveness on the field. Fazio meanwhile has been part of a rotating measure of centre-backs at Sevilla, with a lack of pace and clumsy demeanour having been features of his game that have been derided for some time.

Now, however, with their sensational form at club level, they’re putting a genuine case across to Sabella that Argentina don’t need to be so limited at the back when they head out to the premiere national team tournament. With Fede Fernández the only other centre-back to have truly intrigued Sabella aside from Garay, an opening could well emerge in this particular area.

Musacchio’s form has coincided with Villarreal’s stunning first half of the season following promotion and while, as ever, the spotlight has been on the Yellow Submarine’s electrifying attack, their defence also deserves praise. With 21 goals conceded in 20 games they boast the third best record in La Liga, levelled by Real Madrid and bettered by only Atlético Madrid and Barcelona.

Musacchio has been an ever present, making 20 appearances, taking upon the role of the leader left by countryman and now Fiorentina star Gonzalo Rodríguez. Only Bruno and Cani have garnered a higher WhoScored rating than the Argentinean of players to feature in more than five games for the club thus far.

Meanwhile, there are also two coveted WhoScored Man of the Match awards to his name – only Cani has more at Villarreal, with three. Musacchio has been a colossus in all defensive aspects, showing he’s addressed the issues that dogged his game regarding a lack of commitment and casual approach to defending in key areas.

Currently he’s coming out on top at Villarreal when it comes to winning aerial duels, with 2.5 per game, while he’s also contributing 2.2 tackles per game. This emphasises the increased decisiveness that’s crept into his game. His reading of play has been important too, and with 3.5 interceptions per game the 23-year old, as things stand, ranks 2nd in La Liga.

Of course with many defenders these days there is a requirement to be comfortable in possession, and in Spain this is all the more prominent with teams looking to move the ball out of defence carefully as opposed to going for a more direct approach.

Musacchio is well versed in this aspect, and his 39.1 passes per game are the 3rd most at Villarreal, with midfield linchpin Bruno coming out on top overall. A 79.6% accuracy isn’t a bad total for a centre-back either, while WhoScored also lists his fondness for dribbling as a characteristic. It’s assets such as these that have encouraged links to Barcelona this season, as the Catalans seek out a central defender with that flexibility.

Fazio, meanwhile, is another to have been a cornerstone of his team’s defence, and while he’s still guilty of that slow turn of pace and edginess when playing a high-line, there has been a drastic improvement in his game as a whole.

Arséne Wenger is a well-known admirer, and while it’s puzzled some, this season he’s given the strongest suggestion yet as to why the Frenchman has coveted him dating back to his formative footballing years. Fazio, in fact, is down as the 13th highest rated player in La Liga according to WhoScored’s database, with 7.55; no other centre-back is better ranked.

Despite heavy rotation in Sevilla’s backline, Fazio has been one of the players to shine brightest. Unai Emery has been far more cautious in terms of his defensive setup, in contrast with his Valencia side at least, and this has seen a player like Fazio, who thrives in a deep block defence, become a key pillar.

His interceptions also stand at 3.5 per game; tied with Musacchio as the 2nd most in the league – while only four players have more in this category in Europe’s top 5 leagues. When it comes to clearances Fazio doesn’t mess about either, weighing in with an almighty 8.5 per game, which is unsurprisingly the most at the club – only three players in La Liga better the figure.

This underlines that when it comes to the basics of defending Fazio is excelling, and given his physical prowess it’s no surprise when it comes to winning aerial duels that he quite literally comes out on top. His 4.5 aerial duels won per game is the most at Sevilla, and once again is bettered by just 4 players in the division.

The clumsy side to Fazio’s game remains a source of frustration, with the defender capable of a horrendous unforced error at times. It explains why WhoScored still notes concentration as a weakness of his, and if the 26-year-old can shore up his focus for 90 minutes we could be talking about a high level defender.

Perhaps an interesting added facet to his game is his growing confidence in possession, with Fazio the second highest passer of the ball at Sevilla behind Ivan Rakitic, on 37.7 per game. Emery has always favoured a patient build-up from defence, and Fazio is someone content to take such an approach on board.

Both Musacchio and Fazio have made enormous strides when it comes to developing their game, seeking to eradicate their failings but also improve their obvious strengths. It makes positive viewing for Sabella, for whom food for thought in Argentina’s much scrutinised defence will be most appreciated.

Could either player force their way into Argentina's World Cup plans? Let us know in the comments below