Argentina rumored eleven for quarter final match at Copa America

By
Roy Nemer
-
65

Argentina will play Ecuador in the final quarter final match of the Copa America and coach Lionel Scaloni reportedly still has a few doubts.

Historically, Argentina have a clear advantage when it comes to their head to head matches vs. Ecuador. Taking into consideration official matches and friendly games, Argentina have 21 wins with 10 draws and five defeats against Ecuador.

Their most recent encounter was a World Cup qualifying match back in October which ended in a 1-0 win for Argentina as Lionel Messi scored a penalty.

Lionel Scaloni is expected to make several changes from the last match, which was a 4-1 win vs. Bolivia. Gonzalo Montiel, Exequiel Palacios, Angel Correa and Sergio Aguero, who all started that match are not expected to be in the eleven for the quarter final match.

The inclusion of Cristian Romero is still the big doubt as Scaloni and the team will reportedly wait to make a decision on him due to his fitness. In addition, Scaloni did confirm that Gio Lo Celso will be starting in midfield while some reports coming out are stating that Leandro Paredes will start in place of Guido in midfield. Per TNT Sports, here is the rumored Argentina eleven:

Emi Martínez; Molina, Romero or Pezzella, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi, Lautaro and Nico González

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65 Comments

  1. Penalties in uru-col game. Interesting both coaches did not utilize 5 subs. I would prefer to see uruguay in semis than a colombia with cuadardo back.

  4. I hope and pray that Scaloni and Co has good reasons for selecting this line up against Ecuador. It could be tactical. Ofcourse they know their team more than us combined. So chill guys. Enjoy the game. Its Equador.
    Though I have my preferences but I am behind the team no matter who is playing at the end.
    Vamos Albiceleste.

  7. If ARG have to quit, lose now, then def Scaloni will be sacked, in the semi vs Uruguay/Columbia and worst case scenario in the final vs Brazil nothing will change, he remains our coach, so before WC this situation would be the worst. Without the title at least win Gallardo as the coach.

  8. I notice a bunch of people worried about Ecuador. Relax guys, this is not Ecuador with Valencia as captain and this is not Argentina with Edgardo Bauza as head coach.

    If we can’t beat this team, we have serious issues. If we fear this team, what does this say about our aspirations of winning a world cup?

    We need to change our energy collectively. It’s ok to express a dislike but to fear playing this or that team is sad. Why fear to play Ecuador??? Why fear to play Brazil?

    We should want to play the best and beat the best! Vamos Argentina!

    • It’s not about worrying about Ecuador it’s about worrying about Ourselves And not being Naive or Overconfident

      It’s clear we are not Balance Team without Defensive Midfielder

      Parades is great player we all like him but his defensive awareness Cost us against Brazil in 2019 Copa, also in Recent matches when we were Darwing Our first 3 Matches and will cost us in the Future

      Same goes for Tagliafico and other Mediocre players

      Scaloni Must know His best team by now And not make same mistakes other wise he’ll be gone before you know it

    • Not only i totally agree with you but to continue further i can t wait to face Europeans in world cup. somebody correct me but the last time i remember we play a game against Europe team was 2018 against France. even the friendly games we played since then was not against somebody from Europe. i miss it.

      • 100% agreed. We haven’t really been tested yet. Even if we win this Copa, it will not be satisfying until Argentina wins the World Cup.

        We need to set up friendlies against Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal no Germany as they seem to like to use friendlies as an experiment on how to beat us in a tournament).

  9. I’m a die hard fan.
    but for tonight I have to admit I’m very nervous. We don’t have defensive stability without Romero and Guido… I really hope we can win

    I’m very excited but also afraid for tonight’s Game

  10. We will be Unbalanced without Guido.

    Guido is a Must

    We must have a Definitive midfielder

    We will Concede at least a Goal Tonight

  11. i think many people disrespect england team.. but this team has some very much talented player like kane,sancho,grealish,j.stones,sterling,foden,mount,rice etc ..

    kane, sancho, grealish this are the top player for england team

  12. Cox4

    I couldn’t have said it any better my friend. For once again. The war against Argentina started that day indeed, after beating Italy. It is not enough supporting Argentina. With all due respect to every young member in here, these are very important information that they have to know. We all have to know these things. One more reason that comments from people like you my friend are very interesting and important to read.

    I personally want to thank you my friend and other people like you in here, thank you Cox4, Olive, Chori, El Mongol, Ricky Villa, El principe, Mafioso, mmh007, Dadir10, enghance, el pipita, csabalala (as of late), Dfox, mik, Godin and many others that i am sure i am forgeting of.

    All the best to our beloved team!

    VAMOS ARGENTINA!

  13. Guys,

    Sorry to bring another country outside South America in the chat but…

    …another 4 days of “it’s coming home” I’m afraid. England are professionally getting the job done. So painful.

    • Don t panic and don t afraid. they have good team sure but Ukraine is not Italy not Spain and not even Denmark. if i start remember how many times i have see in past teams that was looking mighty and in the next games was perform poor and failed i need book to write.
      the only is going home now is me to my house to relax and watch my beloved national team against Ecuador.

  14. The only team I’m afraid of is Brazil it seems like brazil know how to beat Argentina we haven’t beat Brazil in a official match for how many years now… that’s why I don’t want to face Brazil in the final i was rooting hard for Chile last night but they couldn’t get the job done.

    the other teams Argentina can beat them in any giving day but Brazil is different hopefully if we can make it to the final we’ll be able to beat them 🤞

  15. i would say playing paredes over guido is wrong decision.. bcs equador going to play with speed physical and fast and trying to use air also

    • one very good game ..after that guido played in little different role

      DePaul Locelso & Guido will be good
      .

      Papu Gomez must start imo

  17. it was like today 3 July of 1990 when we lived one of the most historic day of Argentina history.
    we beat Italy in Naples for world cup. it was the day that everything started.
    i am speaking about this historic game not because we achive something huge but because the war against Argentina begin that day. FIFA never forgive the fact that DIEGO and the rest our warriors that played that day ignored FIFA and the “advice” to lose that game because Italy had to win the cup in their home soil. This refuse to give up the game DIEGO and Argentina pay it heavily in future after that of course but i would not wanted anything different anyway from our players. Even if FIFA put us in the black list and we pay it heavily in the game after and the years followed.

    as long as i will live i will not forget that and i will ALWAYS express my graditute to DIEGO and the rest of our warriors.
    THANK YOU DIEGO. GOD MAY REST YOUR SOUL IN PEACE.
    THANK YOU that you choose your country than money.
    THANK YOU that you prefer to make PROUD your country instead to look yourself.
    THANK YOU because you knew what will suppose to follow after that but anyhow you didn t hesitate.

    GRACIAS DIEGO.
    GRACIAS D10S.

    • For me Argentina is as big as a footballing country that has won at least three world cups. But I like you believe the third will come, the third cup and the third great player. We deserve it more than anyone

    • Hello cox4, my friend again! Nice to read your and Waweride’s post again ! It inspired me once again to go back to my memories and then i found this written by an English man called Stuart Horsfield :
      23/02/2017 by STUART HORSFIELD
      DIEGO MARADONA AT WORLD CUP 1982: THE INNOCENT DEVIL
      Diego Maradona played in four World Cups; in each one he left a different indelible imprint around the globe, none more so than on a football-mad youngster living in England. A boy who grew up watching a player that at times looked like he had descended from heaven and at others like he had ascended from hell.

      I have never supported a football team, never felt the pull or need for indoctrination into a particular club. I have always been a fan of football and enjoyed watching special players and special teams, leaving me free to experience all football without tribal prejudice. This has given me freedom to appreciate talent and clear vision to see the game’s darker side.

      I was nine-years-old when the 1982 World Cup kicked-off in Spain, already a devout follower of football – innocently settling down to a glorious month of football. I was about to be introduced to a 21-year-old footballing genius. Our paths would cross a further three times via the television networks – in the 1986, 1990, 1994 World Cups – and once with my own eyes at Wembley, in a Football League Centenary Celebration game where Maradona captained a Rest of the World team.

      The World Cup in Spain was to be the biggest tournament so far as João Havelange made good on his electoral promise and increased the finals from 16 teams to 24 teams. There were to be 52 matches played between 13 June and 11 July. This was before the current television saturation and online streaming, which allows viewers to watch the game almost 24/7. For me, it was Christmas at the height of summer.

      Diego Armando Maradona missed out on selection for the 1978 World Cup because the pragmatic chain smoking César Luis Menotti decided he was too young to handle the pressure. This was despite the Argentine making his professional debut at the age of 15 for Argentinos Juniors and his full international debut aged 17.

      Nevertheless, by the time the 1982 World Cup had come around, Maradona had already become an icon of Argentine football. He had signed for his beloved Boca Juniors in 1981 and led them to the league title soon after. A year later, and just prior to the World Cup, Maradona was sold for a world-record £5 million to Barcelona. The Catalan fans did not have to wait long for a glimpse of their investment.

      Argentina arrived in Spain as reigning champions and kicked off their defence of the trophy in the Camp Nou, Maradona’s new home. After the crushing disappointment of missing out on a place in Menotti’s 1978 tournament-winning team, Maradona was desperate to make an impact in Europe, however a below-par performance by the Argentines saw them lose the opening game 1-0 to Belgium.

      The Argentine squad was a blend of older players retained most probably beyond their effectiveness out of a sense of loyalty by Menotti, and young players that lacked international experience in the intensity of a World Cup. Maradona was to be the lynchpin that held the team together, but he never really got on the ball in the opening game.

      Even more of a concern was the treatment of Maradona by the Belgian defenders; they set the tone for a tactic which was implemented by every team Argentina faced during the tournament: stop Diego and you stop the team. How he was stopped didn’t seem to matter to the opposition or, more importantly, the referees.

      The second game saw a more cohesive performance by La Albiceleste as a 4-1 victory over Hungary helped to dispel some of the national mourning back in Argentina that had followed their earlier defeat to Belgium. Maradona scored two goals in a virtuoso performance, which gave credence to the pre-tournament hype surrounding the Argentine number 10.

      The performance served notice and momentarily drew my eye away from the flamboyant Brazilians and their number 10, Zico. It was not enough, however, to usurp the Brazilian from being my player of choice in the school playground the following Monday.

      The final group game saw Menotti’s men play Central American side El Salvador, who were playing in only their second finals. The now familiar pattern of violence was repeated, however it wasn’t just Maradona who was targeted; anyone wearing the pale blue and white stripes were fair game. El Salvador had been soundly beaten 10-1 in their opening game against Hungary and spent the rest of the tournament trying to ensure that no opposition player could get into their penalty area.

      One of the worst offences came on 20 minutes after Argentina were awarded a penalty for a foul on Gabriel Calderón. The referee was in no doubt, but the El Salvador team swarmed around him like an angry mob before defender Francisco Osorto lost his cool and kicked the official in the leg. The result, remarkably, was just a yellow card for Osorto. It appeared that the referees afforded themselves the same level of protection as Maradona.

      Argentina won the game 2-0, with the diminutive number 10 showing only occasional glimpses of his ability. A free-kick exquisitely bent over the wall and into the side-netting was the closest he came to scoring. He would certainly need to be more effective in the second round, which consisted of a mini group against South American rivals Brazil, who were playing the tournament like it was an exhibition (think Harlem Globetrotters playing football).

      The other team in the group were the very antithesis of the Brazilians, Italy. The Azzurri had scraped through their opening group without winning a game. Progression was on goals scored (two), which was better than Cameroon’s (one). What they did have, though, was an uncompromising defence including two combative centre-halves, Gaetano Scirea and Claudio Gentile.

      The opening group game of round two saw Italy take on Argentina at 5:15pm. What followed would have struggled to get past the 9:00pm watershed in 1982. For a nine-year-old sat in his front room on the sofa, it was probably the nearest I would come to witnessing a public assault.

      From the first minute, Italy targeted Maradona, Enzo Bearzot gave Gentile the task of man-marking him. The Juve defender was the archetypal pantomime villain, with dark hair and of Middle Eastern origin. To round off the look, a thick moustache menacingly adorned his top lip. His team-mates nicknamed him Gaddafi due to being born in Libya. Had it been Christmas, in a theatre you would have shouted, ”he’s behind you”, but this was the World Cup and Maradona knew very well he was behind him.

      Years later, the Italian defender gave an interview where he commented: “I studied him for two days, watching videos and realising there was a strategy I could use against him. That was to make sure he was so well marked that he couldn’t get the ball from his team-mates, because once he has possession that’s when he becomes a problem.”

      Maradona was followed all over the pitch by Gentile for 90 minutes, during which he endured foul after foul. At one point Gentile went straight through the back of Maradona as he received the ball, which resulted in no caution. The ball was played into Maradona’s feet but, before he gained possession, Gentile produced a stiff arm across the face, leaving the playmaker in a crumpled heap. Another free-kick to Argentina and another let-off for the pantomime villain.

      On 35 minutes, Maradona was booked for protesting too strongly to the referee after another x-rated challenge had gone unpunished.

      In the second half, Bearzot’s men visibly grew in confidence as their perfect – if crude – plan was having a demoralising effect on Maradona and the rest of the Argentine team. Two goals within 10 minutes by Marco Tardelli and Antonio Cabrini gave the Azzurri an unassailable lead. Argentine captain Daniel Passarella pulled a goal back with seven minutes to go, only for midfielder Américo Gallego to be sent off a minute later for Argentina. Catenaccio had won the day.

      Bastardo’s! Btw this was not Stuart’s comment just memory of my own from every single game from 1982 and specially against Italy and Brazil!

      More though from Stuart:

      Maradona never blamed Gentile for the brutality served upon him by the Italian; instead, he laid the blame squarely at the feet of the official who failed to protect him.

      At full-time I drew breath and, in my naivety at what just happened, was very excited as it meant that Argentina would have to attack the Brazilians in their next game. It was going to be a glorious sight – Zico and Maradona would be on the pitch at the same time, with no negativity and the dastardly Claudio Gentile to spoil everything.

      I tried to point out the exceptional confrontation that lay ahead to my mum, via my 82 Panini sticker book, but I was met with, “uh huh, that sounds good, time to get ready for bed”. Nobody seemed to understand my excitement at the impending clash between South America’s two footballing behemoths.

      They looked otherworldly. Having only been used to watching FA Cup finals and the occasional England game, the majority of my viewing experience thus far had been predominantly pasty footballers, often with perms and moustaches playing in the rain, or at a tired soulless bowl that was the old Wembley. Now there was colour, noise and exuberance to match the glorious image of the Seleção’s golden shirts and La Albiceleste’s blue and white stripes.

      As the two teams walked onto the pitch, there amongst all the anticipation and fervour were the two number 10s, Maradona and Zico. I was a mercenary to skills and tricks. This game would determine whose name I would claim in the playground during the first break on Monday, and for the remainder of the World Cup.

      The game was played in a far more languid style than the previous staccato encounter with the Italians and their dark arts. Both sides were happy to trade attacks, though for all the skill and creativity, the score was only 1-0 at half-time – a Zico tap-in after Éder had sent a wicked, swerving 35-yard free-kick crashing into the underside of the Argentine crossbar. It looked like the name would remain the same on Monday.

      In the second half, the game started to get stretched. Maradona was seeing more of the ball and starting to make inroads to the Brazilian defence, with close control and an electric change of pace. It was this type of movement that allowed him to slip the ball past the Brazilian left-back, Júnior, who recovered and lunged at Maradona as he went into the area. The ball wasn’t even within playing distance when the challenge came in. The referee gave a corner; Maradona, incredulous at the decision, did a backwards roll into a handstand and onto his feet, then screamed at the referee at the injustice.

      As the second half wore on, Brazil took a stranglehold on the game. A rare far post header by Serginho put Brazil 2-0 up, then Zico played a pass which took out four Argentines. The aforementioned left-back, Júnior, was the furthest forward, and he slipped the ball first time past the advancing Ubaldo Fillol.

      Frustration and tempers reached boiling point. On 85 minutes, Maradona clipped a ball into Juan Barbas; Batista raised his foot and caught the midfielder on the side of his head with his studs. Commentator John Helm summed up things best: “A kick on the head there, following that Maradona managed to put a little kick in on Batista, and he’s off. That is the end of Diego Maradona’s World Cup. Well, this is sensational, the world’s greatest player by repute has been sent off. He lashed out at Batista there, after the original offence by the Brazilian substitute.”

      Maradona slowly walked toward the touchline. The giant Argentine defender, Alberto Tarantini, pulled him into his chest, ruffled his hair and kissed him on the head, like a parent calling their disconsolate child in from playing out, while their friends carried on having fun.

      Helm continued: “Diego Maradona looked almost in tears there; he’s being roundly booed here in Barcelona. What a tragic end to Maradona’s World Cup. He’s about to come and play in Barcelona, but this must be the most tragic moment of his career so far.”

      Maradona crossed the touchline, making the sign of the cross, kissing the small silver crucifix around his neck and then looking up to the heavens. What had I been thinking? How could this man ever replace Zico in my affections?

      And so he was gone. With a brutal kick to Batista’s midriff, Maradona vanished from my mind for another four years. His name destined never to be used at Overdale County Primary.

      El Diego, however, would return in Mexico with a display that, within the space of four mindblowing minutes, had me crying, followed by stunned disbelief. It would be a tournament performance of which the world is still waiting to see repeated. Maradona would be back, this time as the Archangel.

      Yes, an Archangel indeed he was ! 4 year’s later after 1982 it brought all this unjustice to finally to injustice!

      But like u said after 4 year’s again on that day at 3rd of july 1990 all the unjustice and unfairness started again to surround Diego and our beloved Albiceleste and like Waweride said theese are very important things to know from the past to understand the present and also look for the future! Like in everything in general one most know the real truth from his past or even better if can know the past from all over the world, but offcourse this need’s many, many year’s of studying and trying to find the absolute truth which i quess is so hardly hidden from us that it is deffinetly not an easy task to find… Anyhow all the best again for u and your family and to whole country of Argentina and to all the people living over there and to also for all the supporters around the world who are truly supporting our beloved Albiceleste! Btw, i pasted this thing written by Stuart Horsfield because of what happened at 1990 in Italy and after the Italy game and also because how u described me about your emotions after the German’s+Fifa robbed us the final which allmost made u fall from your balcony, thanx god and to your dad that it did not happen! At 1982 my expectation’s were so high after 1978 and finally with Diego presenting our beloved Albiceleste in the WC, but what happened to him and to our beloved Albiceleste was just so crazy and made so sad for until 1986 when unjustice was brought in to injustice, for at once by Diego and rest of our beloved 1986 Albiceleste !

  18. The above rumoured is Scalonis most preferred 11. No complaints. He is confident in those players. Hopefully all of them play well and reciprocate Scalonis confidence in them.

    Lets get to the Semis. This is were the real test begins. Dont be over confident and take Ecuador lightly.All the best.

  19. If Paredes does indeed start I hope we see the best version of him with passing, vision, distribution and concentration that he is known for at PSG. So far, at the NT he is no Redondo, nor even prime Gago. I hope he manages to show his best qualities though.

    I personally prefer a more traditional number 5 for a DM, who keeps things simple, roams and cleans things up, who is reliable shield in front of back four and also allows more creative midfielders like Lo Celso and De Paul more license to venture forward and do their best higher up the pitch.

  20. That’s a pretty good line up against Ecuador…

    For all those who are screaming for the Bolivia line up…. We can’t do that, we cannot play with that many attackers against Ecuador. It’s not gonna be as easy as the Bolivia Game.. For me Ecuador is alway a very tough opponent…

    It’s gonna be a very hard way to reach the final…

    vamoooos Argentina

  21. Interestingly Denmak without their best player and playmaker Michael Laudrup won Euro, now without their best player and playmaker Eriksen do it again? At that time Argentina even without the best player and playmaker Maradona won Copa America in 1991, and in 1993 too. (only 3rd, 5th and 7th places with him) More than interesting.

    • Sometimes the “Best Player” holds back team play. Look at Portugal in the last Euro without Ronaldo. Look at Brazil in the last Copa America. France could have been in 2014 final if Benzema was not too selfish – they were better than Germany. They won 2018 without Benzema. Look at this Euro: Mbappe is too big these days (ego) and overemphasized, whereas in 2018 he was the trump card and the icing to the cake.

      Look at Italy these days. They are building a team.
      Messi needs to be icing on the cake and we can win the WC.

  23. There is no point crying or complaining which player should start or not let’s go Argentina
    I don’t give f…k who start and who isn’t as long Argentina win.

  26. Guys how’s the goalkeeper situation is at Atalanta? Is Musso going to have regular playing time? I am confused please let me know….

  27. We gonna get exposed on the counter
    If we don’t have proper protection for the defense.
    The team is very unbalanced with paredes
    Pulling the strings,depaul has to constantly
    Covering for him.
    In a midfield 3 someone has to stay back to snuff out the counter attacks

  28. I believe the European clubs don’t have any respect for some federations. The clubs are getting paid if their players get injured during international duties. As long as we don’t respect ourselves and we continue to do this the way we do they will continue to disrespect us…. I have never hear that with European countries. So sad and frustrated but there’s nothing we can do…

  29. This Team should play
    Emi Martinez
    Mollina. Romero. Otamendi. Acuna
    De Paul. G. Rodriguez. Lo celso
    Messi. Aguero. Papu Gomez
    OR
    Emi Martinez
    Mollina. Romero. Otamendi. Acuna
    De Paul. G. Rodriguez. Papu Gomez
    Messi. Aguero. A. Correa

    If C. Romero is not fit then Lisandro or Pazella can start.

  30. It is interesting how Atalanta reportedly asked Cristian Romero not to play (and so Argentina is considering benching him), whereas Kevin De Bruyne played against Italy yesterday with a ligament tear in his ankle.

    Per De Bruyne: “It was a miracle that I played today because there was definitely damage to my ankle. A tear in my ligaments. But I felt responsibility to play for my country today. Too bad I couldn’t do more”.

    This is the mentality DiMaria needed in the World Cup final. Let RM sue you, who cares!

    • Yes but we need Romero for semis and finals, Coach has to take decision based on what is best for the team and a player, not on some club decision.
      Why Paredes?, Coach Should not prefer his favourite player over an in-form player.
      Papu, aguero, dimaria, Angel and guido should be our subs.
      Happy that taglificao is not playing.

      • > he got what he deserved boot to his stupid ass!!!

        Mr SulaV, I say this with the utmost respect, but stupid comments like that deserve a kick in ass

    • Injured Di maria was there in 15 final, injured Di Maria was there in 16 final too but what happened? A player with injury is not the solution, KDB was stupid to risk his career, plus a healthy player instead of him could do much more.

    • You do not know what KDB, City, and their federation have discussed or why KDB still played.
      You also do not know what happened with AFA, Real Madrid, and Di Maria. they could be completely different circumstances.

      To claim its simply a matter of Di Maria’s “mentality” without knowing anything is presumptuous. For all we know, Di Maria’s heart was virtually ripped out and it destroyed him not being able to play. No one should question Di Maria’s “mentality” when the guy bleeds for his country.

      • The story has already been shared. RM wanted to sell DiMaria, so they sent him a threatening letter prior to the 2014 WC final. De Bruyne is playing a Euro match (not even a final, and not even a WC, NOT EVEN A WC FINAL). His comment shows that it was his decision to play -as stupid of a decision it was, it displays his mentality. DiMaria said he felt that he could play in the WC final, but RM didn’t want him to risk injury. RM only wanted to sell him.

        My statement is really more about De Bruyne’s mentality than DiMaria’s.
        DiMaria said he wanted to play the final and could, but didn’t due to RM. De Bruyne just made it happened, even though it wasn’t a final.

        No need to be sensitive. I’m just stating an observation. I really think our players should ignore their clubs like the European players. Neymar has done ignored PSG countless times.

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