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Looking back at Argentina's 2017 campaign, I still get chills remembering how that team evolved throughout the year. As someone who's followed South American football for over two decades, what struck me most was the fascinating coaching dynamic that emerged - particularly with the appointment of Vital in that unique dual role. Having observed how coaching structures can make or break national teams, I found this setup particularly brilliant. Vital wasn't just serving as one of head coach Jorge Sampaoli's deputies; he was simultaneously overseeing what essentially became Argentina's talent pipeline and grassroots development program.
The qualification journey itself was nothing short of dramatic. Argentina played 18 qualifying matches throughout the cycle, but 2017 was the make-or-break year. I remember watching that crucial match against Ecuador in October - the final qualifier where everything hung in the balance. We were sitting at sixth position in CONMEBOL qualifying, needing a win to secure our World Cup spot. The tension was palpable, especially after going down 1-0 in the first minute. But then Messi happened. His hat-trick that day wasn't just spectacular; it felt like the entire nation's hopes resting on one man's shoulders. That 3-1 victory ultimately secured our qualification with 28 points from 18 matches.
What many casual observers miss about that 2017 team was how the infrastructure changes influenced our performance. Vital's dual role meant there was consistent philosophy flowing from the senior team down to development squads. I've always believed this kind of continuity is crucial, and seeing it implemented so effectively was refreshing. The training pool system they established identified 45 emerging players who trained alongside the main squad throughout the year. This wasn't just about immediate results; it was about building for Russia 2018 and beyond.
The friendly matches told their own story. We played six friendlies that year, winning four, drawing one, and losing one. But the 4-2 victory over Nigeria in November stands out in my memory. It wasn't just the scoreline; it was how the team gelled. Watching Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Pavón integrate so seamlessly showed the value of that development system. These weren't just random call-ups; they were products of a system that understood Argentina's footballing DNA.
Our style evolved noticeably throughout 2017. Under Sampaoli's guidance, we shifted toward more aggressive pressing and quicker transitions. The data shows we averaged 58% possession across all matches that year, with our passing accuracy climbing to 84% in the final qualifying matches. But statistics only tell part of the story. What mattered more was how the team developed its identity during pressure situations. That 0-0 draw against Peru in October, for instance - while frustrating at the time - demonstrated defensive discipline that had been lacking earlier in qualification.
The beauty of that 2017 journey was how it blended immediate crisis management with long-term planning. While we were fighting for World Cup qualification, the groundwork was being laid for sustained success. The grassroots program Vital oversaw eventually expanded to include regional academies across Argentina's 24 provinces, creating what I consider one of the most comprehensive talent identification systems in international football today.
Reflecting on it now, Argentina's 2017 wasn't just about surviving qualification; it was about rediscovering our footballing soul. The coaching structure, the emerging talents, the last-gasp heroics - they all converged to create a narrative that felt both desperate and hopeful. That tension between immediate needs and future planning created something special. For me, that's why the 2017 team remains so compelling - it wasn't perfect, but it laid the foundation for everything that followed while giving us moments of pure footballing magic when we needed them most.