Lautaro Martínez out for Argentina vs. Uruguay and Brazil

1. I think against uruguay it is better without messi. Coz Uruguay and brazil are very physical. And with messi we are one man down when defending and off the ball. With workhorses like nico, simeone and Julian up front Uruguay cannot play with momentum on the ball. Especially this international qualifier is one after long time. So the chemistry would be not that great. So argentina can pounce on any mistake Uruguay make and capitalise on it.
   Also julian has to take responsibility of creating chances as well. Nico and simeone are not that good in the final third. Enzo and macallister has to be more creative this time to help julian. I prefer nico paz more. Coz he has that aura to play anywhere in any situation. I think with nico paz julian can involve in build up play more. With Gonzales and simeone Julian would be forced to play like a lone 9 mostly due to their play style.

   • I agree with you, Nico, Julian and Simeone give us energy to press. De Paul and Mac have to be the creative sparks with through balls to unlock the defense, they have those skills sets and in the absence of Messi creativity would have to come mostly from them. Mac used to be a number 10 and we have seen creative passes from De Paul too, so we should be OK.

2. Mastantuano doesnt look at all like a 17yo when he plays. Seems like a very matured skilfull winger who uses a lot of intelligence beyond his age when playing. No wonder many premier league and european giants are after him despite his exorbitant release clause.

   • Looks too predictable with a soft shot and misfiring end products. Don’t you think? He’s played with the first team for a whole year now and not much in terms of progress. Looks good in bits and pieces but for me has become stagnant even before taking off. But I seriously hope my observations are not correct.

     • His U20 performances were underwhelming in my opinion, flashes of brilliance here and there but only one good match overall. He has potential, still young…needs to play in River for a couple of seasons maybe to grow more…

3. https://www.caughtoffside.com/2025/03/19/franco-mastantuono-transfer-arsenal-liverpool/
   https://thepeoplesperson.com/2025/03/19/tottenham-hotspur-looking-to-beat-manchester-united-to-signing-of-franco-mastantuono-292132/

   Mastantuano doesnt look at all like a 17yo when he plays. Seems like a very matured skilfull winger who uses a lot of intelligence beyond his age when playing. No wonder many european giants are after him despite his exorbitant release clause.

4. Situation is going from worse to worst. But it is up to Scaloni to see whether the glass is still half full or half empty.

5. I am not worried at all but excited. We almost qualified and we still have enough good players in reserve to field a potent XI with sufficient back up in the bench.

   Here is my starting XI

   ————————-Alvarez——————-—-
   —-Gonzales——————————-Simeone-
   ————-Mac————————RDP————
   —————————-Enzo————————-
   —Tagliafico—-Otamendi-Romero—Molina-
   —————————-DIBU—————————

   We have Substitute
   Castro who can replace Alvarez
   Nico Paz who can replace Nico Gonzalez
   Angel Correa to Replace Simeone
   LoCelso or Almada to Replace MacAllister
   Paredes to Replace Enzo
   Palacios to Replace RDP
   Medina, Foyth and Beledi to shuffle the defense.

   Hopefully Echeverri would be added to replace injured Lautaro in the squad.

   We wanted to see the depth and and some young players and this is the ideal situation. We should be happy not Worried. If we end up losing its great for team too. It will give some room to improve.

   Beside Spain and France there are no teams in the World that has depth like us. These players need experience before the WC.

   I think we are good.
   Vamos Albiceleste.

6. With Messi being left out, everyone on this team is replaceable. I’m not worried.

7. We’re screwed 😔, but curious to see some new faces and what they can do without some of the usual starters.

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