The Argentina national team has landed in Brazil ahead of the 2019 Copa America and we could see Angel DI MARIA in place of Matias SUAREZ in the starting eleven.
Lionel SCALONI’s team will be looking for their first senior international title after 26 years and their first match will be on Saturday, June 15 against Colombia. The starting eleven is still not set in stone with coach SCALONI thinking of possibly making a change or changes.
Per a report by TyC Sports, Matias SUAREZ of River Plate is a doubt and there is a chance that Angel DI MARIA could replace him in the starting eleven. Per the Argentine news outlet, here’s the potential starting eleven.
ARMANI; SARAVIA, PEZELLA, OTANENDI, TAGLIAFICO; LO CELSO, Guido RODRIGUEZ, PAREDES; MESSI, AGÜERO, SUAREZ or DI MARIA
Argentina and Inter striker Lautaro MARTINEZ, who scored twice in Argentina’s 5-1 win against Nicaragua, spoke after the match.
While it remains unknown whether or not Lautaro will start the Copa America for Argentina, he did talk about the win against Nicaragua. Speaking to the media after the match, here’s what he had to say:
“It’s nice to win and to win in front of our fans. This was important for us. They (the fans, people in San Juan) opened their doors and greeted us very well.”
Lautaro did score two goals but stated that the important thing was to be able to play”
“I scored two goals but the most important thing is that we were able to get some minutes before the start of the Copa America.”
Adolfo GAICH, who was part of Argentina’s U20 team has attracted interest from Everton, Genoa and Inter.
The San Lorenzo forward has reportedly peaked the interest of the three teams. Per a report by Marca, Everton would be willing to pay the $15 million release clause. GAICH’s agent had this to say about him being linked to a move away from Argentina:
“We have spoken with clubs from Italy. At the same time, it’s not clear with Everton. The truth is that GAICH is being looked at by many clubs but still nothing concrete. Looking at the future, one would like to see him go to through the European transfer market.”
Argentina absolutely thrashed Nicaragua 5-1 with Lionel MESSI and Lautaro MARTINEZ each scoring twice and Roberto PEREYRA adding the other.
The first half saw Giovani LO CELSO playing in a lovely chip ball over everyone to MESSI but the latter’s first time effort missed the goal. Lionel MESSI didn’t have to wait too long after to score his first of the match. A vintage MESSI goal where he runs across the Nicaraguan backline opened the scoring.
MESSI’s second goal was much easier as LO CELSO once more played a short pass into AGUERO who took a shot which was parried away by the goalkeeper but the ball landed in front of the Argentina captain who scored to double the lead.
At half time, Lionel MESSI was substituted off as Paulo DYBALA was brought in. AGUERO was taken off as well with Lautaro MARTINEZ coming into the game.
Lautaro made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute as the ball fell to him inside the penalty area following a corner kick and his shot passed through everyone and into the net. Less than 10 minutes after that, the ball once more fell to Lautaro inside the area and his shot made it 4-0 for Argentina.
Roberto PEREYRA makes it 5-0 as Rodrigo DE PAUL gets the ball out wide and he crosses it and it lands to PEREYRA who scores.
Nicaragua were awarded a penalty kick in injury time and an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net was the consolation goal for them.
The other substituons were Nicolas TAGLIAFICO for Guido RODRIGUEZ, Roberto PEREYRA for Matias SUAREZ, Rodrigo DE PAUL for Marcos ACUNA and Ramiro FUNES MORI for Juan FOYTH.
