Yes it looks like Scaloni got it right.
I don't think Martinez progressive play was fantastic against Mexico, but that's my personal opinion and if you think different that's fine. Don't you think Otamendi's progressive play was good yesterday?
The way they set up yesterday, the CBs played an important role in winning back the ball early after they lost possession, so I would say CBs are important for Argentina. That role should suit Martinez.
Thanks for a level headed answer. I don’t think Martinez progressive play was fantastic against Mexico, just better than Otamendi’s and Romero’s. In these same games. And they’ve not been bad at all, Otamendi is quite good. I think Martinez has showed an increasing fraction of what he has shown for Ajax and United in that regard, which makes sense as he’s quite new to the team, it’s important games, and the coach evidently trusts him at least somewhat less than Ten Hag does. I think Mexico’s front press was of a completely different order than Poland’s, so what Martinez did was more important and impressive there, bypassing that first press. I think he’s got more in his locker there than his two competent colleagues.
Otamendi is very proactive defending, and Romero is physically strong and also quite smart. Martinez has impressed me with his proactivity too, mind.
As for the club you mentioned, Varane on form is to me clearly better than both Otamendi and Romero, and probably one of the best five in the world (injuries notwithstanding), so that doesn’t say much. However I do think Martinez has been even better than Varane this particular season, and seems more important for how United can play so far. We are very well stocked at CB when all are on form, in my view.
That people, myself included, takes off abit on Lisandro’s qualities, is probably both true and natural: He brings something to the club that is such a relief and joy to watch, he has been transformative to me almost like Bruno was. I have a lot of love for him, and will be tempted to slaughter any coach that doesn’t share my view on him