ARGENTINA
Sampaoli explains the 'notebook photo' captured by AS
The manager left his notebook open and Diario AS snapped a photo so he took to Instagram to explain the drill he was doing with his side including Messi.
Diario AS caught a glimpse at Jorge Sampaoli's notebook during a training session before his side play Spain at the Wanda Metropolitano. Based on the image, Sampaoli looked set to start Lionel Messi in his typical roaming number 10 role. The Argentine has been suffering from musce fatigue and remains questionable for the game but he says he really wants to play.
Apparently, however, it was not the XI that Sampaoli plans to play in the friendly match against Spain on Tuesday night. The former Sevilla manager has taken to Instagram to clear up what, in fact, the team layout was in the notebook.
"An exercise of 10 versus 7"
Detail: possession game, positional and situational. Keep the ball from the position of the player in game situations.
Form: Two teams of seven and three wildcards (one central and two wide) that will alternate between the teams. The team with 10 has possession, with the obligation to progress without losing the ball, facing pressure from the other seven.
Objective: Win numerical superiority, looking for the free man, finding the spaces for to split the rival defense.
Space: From large area to large area.
So, it is safe to say that these players will actually be playing but Sampaoli, ever the teacher explains to use what was going on in his notebook.