Analysis of Argentina’s 23-man Copa America Squad

By
Matias Wodner
-
66

Manager Lionel SCALONI has announced his list of 23 players that will take part in this summer’s Copa America in Brazil. After coming out with a preliminary 40-player list, SCALONI got rid of the one or two doubts he had left and finalized his list nine days before the deadline.

Regardless of what you think of the composition of the list or the players that perhaps deserved a spot, there is no reason to dwell on issues that are out of your control. These are the 23 players that have been chosen to represent La Albiceleste, so we must move forward and analyze the selections and what they could bring to the team.

Goalkeepers

River Plate’s Franco ARMANI is the supposed starter due to having the most experience with the national team of the three goalkeepers chosen, but ARMANI has had an up-and-down 2019 season after a stellar 2018 which saw him lift the Copa Libertadores trophy. He hasn’t been as sure-handed as he was in the past, and it’s fair to wonder if Boca Juniors’ Esteban ANDRADA can supplant him by the time the first match against Colombia rolls around. ANDRADA is currently on fire, having kept three-consecutive clean sheets in the Copa De La Superliga and consistently bailed out a suspect Boca defense with outstanding acrobatic saves. At 28 years old and in the prime of his career, the former Lanus net-minder could pass ARMANI as Argentina’s No. 1 with a pair of good performances in practice.

America’s Agustin MARCHESIN is strictly a backup and will serve as the third goalkeeper. It makes sense to enlist a veteran for the third goalkeeper spot, but giving younger and deserving keepers like Juan MUSSO or Geronimo RULLI the experience of an international tournament could’ve helped their careers.

Defenders

Racing’s Renzo SARAVIA is entrenched as the starter at right back and doesn’t appear likely to have much competition. SARAVIA impressed a ton in friendlies last year and performed more-than-admirably against Neymar when Argentina played Brazil. Young Tottenham rotation player Juan FOYTH could fill in at right back if needed, but he’s naturally a center back and can be an option if SCALONI decides to shift to a back-three in any game.

In central defense, Nicolas OTAMENDI and German PEZZELLA are the proposed starters, although they are far from big-game-ready. OTAMENDI lost his starting spot under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and hasn’t been playing consistently in 2019, while PEZZELLA is coming off of a facial fracture that required surgery. The latter should be fine for the Copa, but he might struggle for match fitness early on. Along with FOYTH, Ramiro FUNES MORI will back up OTAMENDI and PEZZELLA. FUNES MORI was a logical replacement for Gremio center back Walter KANNEMANN (due to their left-footed profiles), who injured himself in practice recently and won’t be able to participate in the tournament. KANNEMANN was likely to push for a starting spot given his performances in friendlies and for Gremio, but FUNES MORI should be relegated to backup duties, as he isn’t in the best form and lacks confidence.

Nicolas TAGLIAFICO is the unquestioned starter at left back and that shouldn’t change anytime soon. The 26-year-old never misses a game and enjoyed a stellar season with Ajax, who came within seconds of a Champions League Final berth. TAGLIAFICO will be backed up by Milton CASCO, who’s been arguably the best left back in Argentina this season. CASCO returned from a broken collarbone recently and returned to impressive form in a 4-1 win over Atletico Tucuman. Quick and fearless when it comes to bombing forward in attack, CASCO is a more offensive alternative to TAGLIAFICO and can even play right back due to his ambidextrousness.

Midfielders

The midfield has been Argentina’s biggest issue for the better part of a decade, and while there is certainly more talent on this list than in previous iterations, there are plenty of question marks that remain.

The only player who should be a starter without argument is Giovani LO CELSO, who was one of the best midfielders in all of La Liga in his first season with Real Betis, scoring nine goals and providing four assists. A CM with offensive prowess, LO CELSO should be deployed as a CAM in front of more defensive-minded CMs, but he can also drift high and wide on both flanks if needed. Everyone is quick to pair LO CELSO with PSG man Leandro PAREDES, but the latter has failed to live up to expectations with La Albiceleste. He’s been too slow with the ball and weak in defense in his performances with Argentina, but his passing is next-level and he put in several good performances for Ligue 1 Champions PSG in the spring. PAREDES shouldn’t be deployed as a CDM, rather as a CM with one or two CMs who can help out on defense.

Wunderkind Exequiel PALACIOS has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame over the past year and it’s been warranted, as he has forced himself into River Plate’s staring lineup and even started in the Copa Libertadores Final. An injury had him out for a couple of months, but he’s back in action and has carried over his form as of late. PALACIOS can play anywhere from left mid to right mid to center mid to center attacking mid to holding mid. He’s an incredibly versatile player with a shocking amount of patience and calmness under pressure, and he will play a huge role for Argentina this summer. Roberto PEREYRA was a fixture in Watford’s side all season and helped lead them to the FA Cup Final against Manchester City. Like PALACIOS, PEREYRA is also a midfielder that can play wherever you need him to, especially as a left midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation, which SCALONI reportedly likes. Guido RODRIGUEZ is the most defensive-oriented of all the midfield choices and would be a perfect complement to a pairing of LO CELSO and PALACIOS/PAREDES/PEREYRA in a 4-3-3.

Angel DI MARIA makes his return to the national team and should be a starter if his overall season in Ligue 1 is any indication. Many are sick of him, but he contributed 12 goals and 11 assists for PSG this season and provides a dynamic and explosive offensive change-up that not many other players can when he’s on his game. Marcos ACUÑA is a natural replacement and possible upgrade to DI MARIA. With CASCO called up to be TAGLIAFICO’s backup, ACUÑA will more than likely be pushed higher up the pitch when he is on the field, instead of the makeshift left wingback role Jorge SAMPAOLI and SCALONI have used him in over the past two years. Rodrigo DE PAUL burst on to the scene this year and turned in one of the best Serie A seasons of any midfielder in 2018-2019. He scored nine goals and dished out eight assists for Udinese, playing as a left winger and center attacking mid. He can also play on the interior in a more central midfield role, as well as in a right midfielder position due to him being naturally right-footed.

Forwards

There’s nothing to say about Lionel MESSI: Argentina’s only hope of going far in this tournament rests on his shoulders, as always. MESSI will have his best friend, Sergio AGÜERO, back in the team. AGÜERO should be the starter up top after yet another goal-filled and trophy-filled season in Manchester. With Gonzalo HIGUAIN’s presence behind AGÜERO gone and young Lautaro MARTINEZ likely to play a complementary role, this should be AGÜERO’s tournament to shine; especially since AGÜERO appears to be coming into the tournament fully healthy, which has rarely been the case. Speaking of MARTINEZ, he beat out fellow Inter teammate Mauro ICARDI, who essentially dug his own grave with awful personal life decisions – which has become an annual occurrence. MARTINEZ is the more versatile player regardless, as he’s able to be deployed as a traditional No. 9, as a false 9 or as a No. 10 with more playmaking responsibility.

Matias SUAREZ is a surprise inclusion, but it’s long overdue, as he put in a decade-worth of very good seasons with RSC Anderlecht and Belgrano. Now 31, SUAREZ still has a great change of pace and is flexible enough to play as a left or right winger or as a center forward. Finally, Paulo DYBALA was called up despite repeated disappointing performances with Argentina and a rough season with Juventus. Still, DYBALA is the most like-for-like insurance policy for MESSI, and DYBALA is probably foaming at the mouth to finally break through for his country and become a worthwhile presence with the jersey.

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66 Comments

  1. i am not going to go into the slippery slope of keyboard team selection unless it is fantasy football. What i can say is this:
    there is no dearth of talent in this team – but the fire in the belly is lacking. we have been recently afraid to show/use our skills and lack team-time. Hope messi comes soon after CDR and team has a chance to blend and bond well.

    Copa must come back home!

  3. The first thing im gunna do is select the players who should have been selected who weren’t correct me if i mention injured players. Romero Rulli Mannaman Rojo Walter Garay Mussachio Bustos Asciacibar Battaligia Marcone Banega Lanzini Icardi Cervi Salvio. Those players not all should have got a look in. Andrade Marchesin Funes Foyth Casco Acuna Suarez Perreyra need to bounce and make way my 23 would have been.

    Romero
    Rulli
    Armani

    Pezzella
    Otamendi
    Manmmana
    Rojo
    Tagliofico
    Bustos
    Saravia

    Lo Celso
    Paredes
    Banega
    Battaglia
    Santiago
    Correra
    Pereyra

    Messi
    Dybala
    Aguero
    Icardi
    Di maria
    De paul

    This manager is clueless won’t be surprised if they don’t make our the group stages.

    Starting 11 should be

    Rulli
    Saravia Otamendi Pezzella Tagliofico
    Battaliglia
    Paredes Lo Celso
    Messi Aguero De Paul
    Or
    Rulli
    Saravia Otamendi Pezzella Tagliofico
    Battaligia Lo Celso
    Dybala
    Messi Aguero De Paul
    Or
    Rulli
    Mannaman Otamendi Pezzella/Rojo
    Bustos Battaligia Lo Celso Tagliiofico
    Messi Aguero De Paul/Di Maria
    Then we have pace off the bench Correra and creativity in Banega. Correra is a mencae when opposition are tired.

  4. My review of the squad
    . All 3 goalkeepers are pretty bad god save argentina with these 3 jokers as Romero is injured Rulli, Musso and Caballero should have been selected.
    . LB Tagliafico is just an overrated player he always looks vulnerable defensevely which is his main job and too many dirty fouls may get sent off i dont know how casco isRojo or Ansaldi should be there.
    . CB otamendi is arguably our best CB but someone should have selected back up for Pezella as he just came from injury Garay or Romreo should have been selected putting Foyth in that position is suicidal.
    . I haven’t seen much of Renzo Saravia but he was quite impressive against Brazil kept Neymar in his pocket but didn’t offer much going forward but he is best option as a RB.
    .In midfied Lo celso is the best thing argentina have righ now after Messi, he is a world class player ,hope paredes improve his athleticism, haven’t seen much of palacios but heard he is good player , Guido Rodriguez my choice would have been ascasibar or Marcone still midfield is Ok.
    . In forward A correa should have been selected as he is menace for the tiring defence as a substitute , if Morroco match was the critera for the selection of Suarez the why A correa was not selected. And Pavon should have been there he can provide much needed width and pace on the pitch afraid our attack will be narrow and will be defended easily. A dimaria should be used at RW as he can cut inside ,probably best in the world right now so we should take advantage of that.

    • We can say our hopes are on players like Otamendi, Tagaliafico, Lo Celso, etc…
      But what will be the main thing is the connection between Messi and Aguero.

      If those two can click like Messi does with Suarez in Barcelona, then we have a chance.
      Barcelona don’t have a midfield to envy, as they’re always just sideways passing, like against Liverpool for example.
      Messi has to drop and play through balls for his teammates, and Suarez finishing is second to none.

      If those two scored 57 of Barcelona’s 90 goal in La Liga, 14 of 26 Champions League goals,and 5 of Barcelona’s 18 goals in the Copa del Rey, Imagine how much Messi and Aguero can combine for to carry Argentina!

      A 4-4-2 would be best, defensively secure at the back, and let those two work their magic up front!
      Vamos Argentina!

  5. I think out of all our 3 choose GKs Marchesin is the best in Penalties. Andrada comes second. If it’s Armani in penalties forget it.

    • Transfermarkt has some statisctics, not fully complete (colombian league mainly missing), but good to start from. Armani saved or the kicker missed against him 6 times out of 24…25%, Andrada 3/21…14%, Marchesin 9/55…16%…ironically Armani is the best, Andrada and Marchesin are horrible, he is at least average penalty-stopper…Caballero 11/28…39%…one of the three best in the world with Handanovic 37% and brazilian ex Valencia stopper Alves 45% (he is godly, but Messi has neirly always scored against him lol) at least 4/5.

      • I checked on all 3 of them, Armanis positioning while facing penalties looks way week compared to the other 2. Andrada too don’t looks confident but Marchesin looks confident while facing penalties.

        May be Armani had faced lesser penalties that’s why his statistics looks better. I like his reflexes same as Andrada. But if a Penalty Shootout is coming. Not confident at all. Anyway let’s see.

        One thing is sure no one comes closer to Willy Caballero in saving penalties. His technique is strong in penalties. But don’t want him anyway near our NT ever again. Romero too looks not bad in facing Penalties.

  6. There are only Messi Aguero Martimez De paul Locelso Pezella Di maria may be Casco who can rescue us.Tagliafico is average player he will not be any good for us just like the World Cup.Sarvia is good but i fear another Meza casualty,but that not gonna happen,he is really good and dependable.Otamemdi is hot head can not think properly and bench warmer at City.Paredes and Palacios i did not.follow them so i do not know much about them.Scaloni is a coach who learns from his mistakes but i do not want his mistakes cost us the Cup before he learns something from them.Scaloni is good he is like a bright student

  9. Yes, the exclusion of couple of G.K’s Correa’s and ansaldi are questionable. Now every thing is in the hands of these 23 players and scaloni. Let’s see how well they can carry the hope of one single trophy.
    I don’t want to see crying Messi again
    Vamos Argentina

  10. this list is not my cup of tea
    1,i dont like those three GK.Instead JUAN MUSSO,WALTER BENITEZ ,ROMERO SHOULD BE SELECTED

    2, SARAVIA AND TAGLIAFICO ARE NOT STABLE AND TRUSTABLE EXPECIALLY TAGLIAFICO ,DONT JUST LOOK AT HIS PERFORMANCE IN HOLLAND.AFTER COPA AMERICA YOU WILL KNOW HOW BAD TAGLIAFICO IS.

    3. TWO CBs ARE NOT FIT AT ALL ,OTAMENDI,PEZZELLA THE FORMER ALWAYS BEEN BENCHED ,THE LATER JUST AFTER SURGERY

    4. EXCEPT GUIDO RODRIGUEZ ,NO SOLID DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER,PAREDES IS NOT A TRADITIONAL DM .JUAN FOYTH CAN BE A GOOD DM BUT SCALONI WILL NOT USE HIM AS A DM.

    5.DYBALA IS OVERRESTIMATED AND USELESS ,DE PAUL IS DIFFERENT FROM DI MARIA ,IF DI MARIA GET INJURY NO ONE CAN REPLACE HIM.

    6,CASCO ,ACUNA ,MERCADO IS NOT MY CUP OF TEA AT ALL. RATHER I PREFER MONTIEL ,LISANDRO MARTINEZ,OCAMPOS

    7,LAUTARO MARTINEZ ‘S PERFORMANCE IN INTER MILAN IS BELOW AVERAGE,HE LOOKS LIKE A BELOW PAR AGUERO. I REALLY LIKE LUCAS ALARIO AND JOAQUIN CORREA.

    8,MATIAS SUAREZ ISNT BETTER THAN JOAQUIN CORREA.

    I PREDICT SCALONI WILL BE FIRED AFTER COPA AMERICA, HIS TEAM IS RATHER WEAK IN RUNNING ABILITY AND MIDFIELD DEFENSE.TWO DMs ARE NOT FIT WITH TWO OVERRESTIMATED LATERAL BACK.

    BUT I WILL SUPPORT ARGENTINA THOUGH I THINK THIS TEAM WONT WIN THE TROPHY COMPARED WITH BRAZIL.

    • Writing in bold italics will not change the 23 chosen and even when underlined. So stop cribbing and support the team instead. Also i think you have magic ball which will tell future of Argentina football??😑

    • Tagliafico is bad. This Clarifies your football knowledge. Tagliafico is the best we got no one is even close to him. He is starter in this ajax team. I have seen him play….. Benfica, Bayern, Real Madrid, Juventus, even against Spurs he did his job done.
      ” Don’t look at his performance in holland ” – Seriously ?
      This has to be the most dumbest thing on the internet.
      Then half of the players should not be selected….. Because their performance for their club was amazing….

  11. Tagliafico is a kind of player who can play in any team either country or a club.He is so versatile but average player.I have some hope on Casco who is good offensively.But seriously we needed Ansaldi here.Casco and Ansaldi would have been great for the team.Guys is there any possibility that some player can still be added by replacing someone or is it official and list is gone to Copa officials.De paul Aguero Messi trio will be great for Argentina.Di maria should be a substitute and not starter if he plays in LW

  12. Romance XI:
    Armani – Sarvia Pazella Otamendi Tagliafico – Lo Celso Guido Paredes Palacios – Messi Aguero
    Sub: De Paul, Dimaria, Lautaro

  13. One thing which I like about Scaloni is he didn’t choose the easy way by taking back the previous generation players. Which will further delay our future. Which is really admirable from him.

    He single handedly destroyed Romero’s arrogance. Which I really like and I seriously dont think we will miss Romero. But I would have liked to see Musso or Gazzaniga or Benitez in places of Armani and Marchesin.

    Anyway hope Andrada or Armani brings their Club reflexes to the NT. Which is phenomenal.

      • Nope he still won’t be there, Scaloni clearly wanted a GK with continuous Playing time. Which Romero won’t have. He is happy to be a bench warmer, and he bragged about it too.. Too much arrogance cost him. Either his fans like it or not. Doesn’t matter he is over for the NT, which will be gradually gud for the NT.

  15. it is a decent list overall but for GKs’ instead of armaNI who SHOULDNT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED a gk like musso or benitez should have been included and instead of funes mori someone like cristian romero or alexander barboza or maybe marcos senesi should been taken and instead of mathias suarez someone like icardi(who hopeully solves his personal problems and is called post copa 2019 he is a lethal striker who will be needed in future) or joaquin correa(won copa italia 2019) or maybe even angel correa should have been taken to copa 2019 and maybe ascaibar or some other pure dm should been included in case guido is injured during tournament other that that it is a good list

  16. Although this is my first comment, I have been following this site for well over a year and appreciate it’s existence, thank you to all the contributors.
    With that being said, I agree with the article, Di Maria has to start, alongside lo celso. I actually have a gut feeling that Di Maria has matured, and will make open space for others and hopefully show us his heart celebrations a few times this summer.
    Aguero and Messi have to lead the team, this is something we all can agree on and should pray for.
    Since 2006 we have lacked a defense or have chosen the wrong players to play the back line, but this year this is really all we have to choose from. Scaloni chose correct I believe and hope that he sticks to a 4 man defense throughout the tournament which is looking likely with his decisions on midfield.
    Other than that, as long as the players stay calm, spread around the ball in our classic tango fashion, and most importantly enjoy the football on the pitch…… then we should be fine. Salute!

  17. I just want to say one thing:

    Goodbye Copa America!

    With keepers this shit and unreliable, we will really struggle to even play defensively. SCALONI IS DUMB.

  18. Honestly a solid list with 1 or 2 surprises (Casco, Foyth).
    The exclusion of Benitez and Musso is still baffling to me but since I’ve watched Boca this season I can say with confidence that Andrade is very good and if given a chance he MAY turn out to be a revelation, also Andrade, Tag and Pezzella make up more than half the defensive lineup of the 2011 U20 team that made the quarters largely due to it’s defensive prowess.
    Icardi being out is hardly a surprise, maybe that will light some fire under his butt and get him to fly up straight in the future (doubtful) and with Kun and Lautaro (and possibly Dybala) Argentina has more than enough no.9s.

    We all have our favorites or players we would’ve liked to see included, for me:

    1. Ansaldi instead of Casco but Casco’s been solid so I’m ok with this.
    2. I would’ve liked to see J.Silva or Licha Martinez get a shot but both are young and talented and there are plenty of tournaments to go.
    3. Barboza or C.Romero instead of Mori who is unreliable. Barboza is a hugely underrated player and C.Romero seems to be going places so maybe we’ll see either of ’em of both of ’em in the near future.
    4. Ascacibar, Escelante or Nico Dominguez instead of Guido, however with Ascacibar losing his head and being short on match fitness, while Escelante and Nico never been selected I can understand Guido’s inclusion. Hopefully Rodriguez turns out to be Scaloni’s version of Basanta i.e. a little known player with humble origins that brings his A game when it counts.
    5. A.Correa instead Suarez since the former is just as versatile while also being younger, more talented and plays in the strongest league with one of it’s strongest teams…..but Suarez is a solid player so again I am ok with this.

  19. Not big fan of A .Correa but if Di Maria get injured (again), he’s the only player that could be a direct replacement if you’re going to field midfielder that can really help the attack from the flank like Di Maria.

    Hopefully Aguero stays fit , although I dont mind if Lautaro gets extended playing time. Losing this tournament wont be a total disaster as long we doesnt get eliminated at group stage. There will be another Copa next year at home and the younger talents like Lautaro and also Foyth and Palacios should get valuable playing time in this tournament. We just cant rely on Messi, Aguero and ADM forever. Soon or later, we will need someone who can also scores regularly for us.

    Icardi has been league top scorer twice but we all know his rockstar attitude and his bitch wife will kill his career and Dybala hasnt been that good either this season. Lautaro for now is our only hope to be direct replacement for Kun for next few years and hopefully he’ll get some goal in this tournament.

    As for defence, I’m glad Mercado isnt on the final list … Funes Mori hasnt been good throughout 2018 qualifier and he could be a weak link on the defence when he play. I wish Garay would have been included, always a consistent performer in both club and national team. He helped Valencia to top 4 finish and reached CDR final and Valencia conceided less goal than Barcelona this season in La liga. However, he hasnt been call up since 2016 for whatever reason. He also great penalty taker, scored his penalty perfectly in WC and 2015 Copa.

    On paper , our midfield has been much better than 2016-2018 where we had to rely on old Masche and mr passanger (Biglia)… However, its really hasnt translate into something good based on recent friendlies, but I’m going to have faith on Lo Celso and Palacios. Hopefully Paredes will not be in starting 11, he hasnt been good apart from 1-2 games in national team.

  21. There was no way Kun wasn’t going to to be called and I for one glad Dybala is picked instead of Icardi.
    I like the team except for Armani.

  22. This team is by far the most balanced team we’ve had for quite sometime, better than Sabella’s team also!! In 2014 Sabella went with too many defensive minded players and paid the price eventually!! Had we taken this team to the 2018 WC we would have made much further into the tournament. After a long-long time our defense and midfield look so much balanced, especially Midfield. Only missing player in the midfield is Battaglia, he would have made the life of our mids and defense so much easier. I don’t need to say anything about our attack as we have been blessed with an endless supply of quality strikers, only disappointment is Icardi’s exclusion as among all the forwards he was a different type of striker, a lethal hit-man!! Armani no doubt is the weakest link in the team. Hopefully Scaloni will thoroughly asses the performance of our keepers in the training sessions and go with the inform GK !!!

    • Agree largely balanced team . My only 3 issues
      1) GK – real bad choices. Cant believe Ruilli/ Musso/ Benitez didn’t make it. Copa knockouts are known for penalty shootouts & Armani is a disaster . he falls like a chopped tree during penalties. Not sure how good is Andrada . hope something better. I just don’t get the logic of Marchesin being selected as third goalie – atleast that spot should have gone to a Ruilli/ Musso/ Gazzaniga /Benitez with an eye for future.
      2) A Correa being dropped is a bad decision. Has been one of the best impact subs across the globe. The kind of player you want to release at the 80th min or extra time… While I like Acuna , I think he is clear surplus considering Casco selection . They should have taken one of Casco/Acuna & filled the vacant spot with A Correa
      3) too much of hype on M Suarez. 78mins good game. Remember Meza dazzled for 90mins in his first game!! JCorrea is ideal choice – but I guess he not being in coach’s scheme of things has led to he not being picked. atleast post Copa , hope JCorrea takes over this 31yr old journeyman player

      • I still don’t get what does Matias Suarez brings that other players in the team already can’t provide!! Aguero, Lautaro and Dybala are more than capable of building up the play. I could be wrong here but it seems like Meza’s case, a good show in Copa and his club could sell him and make some money off of him or the AFA is trying to reward a local player for his contribution to the league. I am not trying to undermine him but we dropped much better players for him. Nevertheless since he is already in the team, I wish him all the best. We need each and everyone to be in top form if we are to win this tournament.

  23. I think this is the most balanced and the best squad since 2014 wc.

    Our defense is still very crap. Rulli deserved a place. He had a very good season. Why don’t Argentina produce world class defenders any more? Back then, we had enormous quality at the back and it used to be our strongest area.

  24. Good analysis…..About Paredes, earlier I thought he could be cdm(kind of like busquest) with dynamic players such as palacios and pereyra on his either side but after the venezuela match I am not so sure. I still havent given upon him…he can still be part of double pivot(no.6) but not sure argentina will use a 4-2-3-1.

  25. Good Read. Big KUDOS 🙂
    I was actually thinking same and also wanted to write a post about Palacio that he will be the key if everything goes well. Even Paredes starting in midfield anchor role with Palacio could work. Only because of Palacio’s relentless running and stamina. He has such a good game awareness comparing his age. Starting Palacio-Paredes-Lo Celso(advance role) could work aswell with Aguero and messi and a hardworking winger upfront. Few days ago I saw a interview where Scaloni was talking about his plan how to make all other young players to make comfortable around Messi. They planning that they should think Messi as a another player and human being. Also coaching staff has few nice plan for ice breaking aswell. Also they want a player to pass Messi and start Moving or running for space instead of Standing. He said to fix this he needs time and he will get the time to fix this in Copa Camp. Hope he crack this out. If Scaloni,Ayala,Aimar & Samuel crack down this and gets the results with the plan than I think this young team will do good. All they have to do what they do in their respective clubs. I know Messi is huge but they have to see him as another player.

  26. Per Ole this is the starting 11:
    —————-Armani or Andrada——————–
    –Saravia—–Pezzella—–Otamendi—-Tagliafico—
    ————–Paredes——–Lo Celso————–
    —Palacios—————————Di Maria or Perreyra—
    ————Aguero——-Messi——————–

    Hope Andrada wins the duel.
    Also would like to see De paul competing against Di Maria and Perreyra.

    • Scaloni have said he will play
      4 4 2 or 4 3 3 . 4 2 3 1
      4 1 2 1 2 I think our
      Midfielder will look like this
      ……….. paredes…

      Palacios………. lo celso.

      I don’t care how much you
      Guys downgraded leo parades
      But is scaloni sees him a big pillar
      Of his team

    • The value of LoCelso is when he plays more upfront. so maybe a 4-1-3-2 where LoCelso sits just behind Messi & aguero. Palacios & Pereya on both sides & Guido as the DM will be ideal. Depending on match stage , DiMaria can replace Palacios or Pererya as an impact sub. Another option will be DePaul on right , Lo Celso in middle in an advanced role & Palacios on right.
      For me , Lo Celso & Palacios should be constant . Rest can float depending on formation & match stage.

  27. My team
    Andrada
    Foyth,otamandi,pazzella,taglafico
    Pardeas,palacios
    Lo cleso, Messi,de Maria
    Aguero

      • Agreed, contrary to the good score that he got on whoscored if one watches the 2 times he played RB for Spurs it becomes blatantly obvious that the kid is no fullback, he’s not even ready to take center stage as a CB quite yet despite his obvious talent.
        Foyth can however become very useful as a DM if Guido gets injured.

  28. Good write up. Palacios holds the key in a rigid, defensive setup by Scaloni. He can do the defensive hard work and connect the midfield and attack. I am eagerly waiting to see Lo Celso and Palacios play together. Hopefully, Guido Rodriguez will do well to hold the fort.

  29. Most of the omitted players are great players, but only 23 can be selected.
    Being sad for not seeing those players at Copa is understandable.
    Leave out one of the selected and call one of the not selected, people would still complain.
    It’s hard to please all.

    In 2015 and 2016 we lost with penalties. Our goalkeeper was Romero a Pk specialist.

    Nobody is complaining about Aguero, Di Maria.
    There is a good vibe.

  31. Most of the omitted players are great players, but only 23 can be selected.
    Being sad for not seeing those players at Copa is understandable.
    Leave out one of the selected and call one of the not selected, people would still complain.
    It’s hard to please all.

    In 2015/16 we lost with penalties. Our goalkeeper was Romero a Pk specialist.
    Some of the people here think they are van Gaal.

    Nobody is complaining about Aguero, Di Maria.
    There is a good vibe.

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