Home Blog Page 1008

Argentina vs. Chile match preview, Diego Maradona shirt, Post-Game discussion

-
147

Argentina host Chile this Thursday at 8 p.m. (ET)at the Estadio Único of Santiago del Estero for Matchday 7 of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.

After the suspensions of Matchdays 5 and 6 in March of this year, the endless wait to watch the Argentina national team is over. It will be Argentina’s first appearance after Diego Maradona’s death (November 25th, 2020) and the first game since the Albiceleste’s 2-0 victory vs. Peru on November 17th, 2020.

Hence, Argentina is preparing a special tribute for the legend: The national team will enter the pitch wearing a special shirt honoring Maradona. AFA wanted Argentina to play with this shirt throughout the whole game, but FIFA rejected the request. However, per a report by Doble Amarilla, the government of Santiago del Estero will unveil a 5-meter statue of the genius.

With 10 points, Argentina is currently positioned 2nd in the standings, while Chile is 6th with 4 points. The top 4 teams qualify to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the 5th will play a play-off with another confederation’s team. Up to now, there have been played just four matchdays out of 18.

Argentina previous games:
1-0 vs. Ecuador (Home)
2-1 vs. Bolivia (Away)
1-1 vs. Paraguay (Home)
2-0 vs. Peru (Away)

Chile previous games:
1-2 vs. Uruguay (Away)
2-2 vs. Colombia (Home)
2-0 vs. Peru (Home)
1-2 vs. Venezuela (Away)

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni will not count on Franco Armani and Gonzalo Montiel since both player’s PCR continue to test positive even though they’re no longer contagious. In addition to the two players, Nicolás Otamendi will not be able to play as he is suspended due to accumulation of yellow cards.

In Chile, the Uruguayan Martín Lasarte will make his debut coaching “La Roja”. On the other hand, Arturo Vidal tested positive for Covid-19 last Monday and has been hospitalized, so he will not be playing today. From Mundo Albiceleste we wish him the best of lucks in his recovery, and we hope to him soon on the pitch.

Argentina’s confirmed lineup:
Emiliano Martínez; Juan Foyth, Cristian Romero, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Nicolás Tagliafico; Leandro Paredes, Lucas Ocampos, Rodrigo De Paul; Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, and Lautaro Martínez.

Chile’s possible lineup:
Claudio Bravo; Mauricio Isla, Gary Medel, Guillermo Maripán, Eugenio Mena; Erick Pulgar, Tomás Alarcón, Charles Aránguiz; Luis Jiménez; Alexis Sánchez, and Eduardo Vargas.

Argentina against Chile has become a big rivalry in South American football after the two Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016, won by Chile. These two teams will see place against each other once more in 11 days, on June 14th (as CONMEBOL just modified the schedule New Argentina fixture dates for Copa America announced | Mundo Albiceleste), for Matchday 1 of Copa America Brazil 2021.

Make sure to join us on our Youtube channel following the match where we will have a live post-game discussion! Join the chat to leave your thoughts on the match!

New Argentina fixture dates for Copa America announced

Roy Nemer
-
13

Argentina have a new schedule for the Copa America as they are no longer hosting the tournament.

As hosts of the tournament, Argentina were set to play on the first day of the Copa America. However, that has changed. They will no longer be kicking off the tournament on June 13 but instead it will be a day later. Here is Argentina’s full schedule for the group stages:

June 14 vs. Chile in Rio – 5:00pm Eastern
June 18 vs. Uruguay in Brasilia – 8:00pm Eastern
June 21 vs. Paraguay in Brasilia – 8:00pm Eastern
June 28 vs. Bolivia in Cuiaba – 8:00pm Eastern

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni comments on the match vs. Chile, Copa America

-
35

Lionel Scaloni spoke this Wednesday through a press conference, and commented about the national team, in addition to confirming the starting eleven on Thursday’s game vs. Chile.

Scaloni stated that River Plate players Gonzalo Montiel and Franco Armani will not travel with the team vs. Chile since both player’s PCR continue testing positive:

“We are very sorry that they cannot travel with their teammates, we waited until the last moment.”

Besides, Argentina’s coach previewed tomorrow’s game against Chile:

“We will face the match vs. Chile as we face every match. Sometimes the rival takes the initiative, but our idea is always to be protagonists. We will have a great rival in front of us, we must take the necessary precautions.”

Scaloni also talked about some of the young players that will be in the starting XI, such as Cristian Romero and Juan Foyth:

“We decided based on what we saw in the practices. In the case of Cristian Romero, he had a great season. It is time for him to play and to show what he can do. Obviously, it is his first game, but he has all our confidence.

“Juan Foyth has improved a lot, both defensively and offensively. He is a player who gives us different ways to defend, he is interesting, and we trust him.”

Otherwise, this is what Argentina’s coach had to say about the Copa America:

“Everything has been said. We are going to go, play, and try to do our best. There are still many unknowns (regarding Brazil hosting it) though.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirms eleven vs. Chile in World Cup qualifier

Roy Nemer
-
52

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed the starting eleven which will play Chile on Thursday.

The starting eleven has been confirmed by the coach during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa will start in goal for Argentina. Here’s the starting eleven:

Martínez, Foyth, Romero, Martínez Quarta, Tagliafico, Paredes, Ocampos, De Paul, Messi, Di María Lautaro Martinez

Emiliano Martinez set to start for Argentina in World Cup qualifier

Roy Nemer
-
56

Emiliano Martinez is set to receive his first ever cap for Argentina on Thursday in a World Cup qualifier.

Despite the initial rumors being that Franco Armani would be the starting goalkeeper for Argentina vs. Chile on Thursday, reports out of Argentina are now stating that the Aston Villa goalkeeper has impressed the Argentina coaching staff more than his counter part.

Martinez, who kept a club record 13 clean sheets in his first season with Aston Villa, has previously been selected for Argentina but never played. In addition, coach Scaloni would have reportedly decided on a few other changes in the starting eleven.

Per a report by TN Deportes, here is the starting eleven for Argentina:

Emiliano Martinez; Foyth, Martinez Quarta, Pezzella, Lisandro Martinez; De Paul, Paredes, Acuña; Ocampos, Lautaro Martinez, Messi.

1...1,0071,0081,009...1,670Page 1,008 of 1,670