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Three Argentine local players used in South American World Cup qualifiers

Roy Nemer
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22

Only three Argentine players based in South America have taken part in the 2022 South American World Cup qualifiers. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has counted on Franco Armani, Eduardo Salvio and Gonzalo Montiel from the local league during the World Cup qualifiers and he may need to count on more for the month of March.

As we reported earlier, there was a meeting held on Friday between CONMEBOL and FIFA to discuss this month’s World Cup qualifiers. While it is still unclear if the matches will be played, Argentina did announce that they would accept to play their two matches vs. Uruguay and Brazil later this month without European based players.

Since the beginning of the South American qualifiers, Argentina have managed three wins and a draw in their first four matches. Wins to start vs. Ecuador and Bolivia while they managed a draw vs. Paraguay and a victory away vs. Peru. Franco Armani was the goalkeeper for all four of those matches while Gonzalo Montiel was a figure in the back line for the four matches as well. Eduardo Salvio, currently out with an ACL injury, only took part in the win vs. Ecuador.

Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada of Boca Juniors was an unused substitute while Gremio defender Walter Kannemann was also on the bench and did not play a minute with the team.

While goalkeeper Franco Armani is healthy, Gonzalo Montiel currently suffers from mononucleosis and his recovery remains unclear.

Argentina accept to play World Cup qualifiers without European players

Roy Nemer
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25

Argentina have accepted to play this month’s World Cup qualifiers without the European based players.

As we reported, this month’s South American World Cup qualifiers are in jeopardy. European clubs are not obliged to release their players for the qualifiers and due to the current COVID travel restrictions, it does appear as if some will not allow their players to travel to South America.

There was a meeting held on Friday between all 10 South American federations, the president of CONMEBOL and FIFA. The result for Argentina was that they agreed to go along with the World Cup qualifiers for this month using only South American based players. Brazil were against the idea of playing the matches this month.

A second meeting is expected tomorrow as not decision has been made yet. Lionel Scaloni’s team would play Uruguat at home and Brazil away.

Nicolas Dominguez injured, extent of injury unknown

Roy Nemer
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4

Nicolas Dominguez injured himself during Bologna’s match vs. Cagliari.

Dominguez was unable to complete Bologna’s last Serie A match vs. Cagliari as he was substituted off injured before half time. The Argentina took a misstep and fell to the pitch alone without contact from a Cagliari player. The extent of his injury remains unknown for the moment.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni will have one less player to count on for this month’s World Cup qualifiers. In addition to Nicolas Dominguez, Eduardo Salvio, Angel Di Maria, Paulo Dybala and others are injured and are very likely to miss Argentina’s two matches this month vs. Uruguay and Brazil.

FIFA requesting to postpone CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers

Roy Nemer
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37

FIFA are reportedly requesting to get the South American World Cup qualifiers delayed.

With the COVID restrictions all around the world and with many South American players based in Europe, FIFA will reportedly request to CONMEBOL to get this month’s South American World Cup qualifiers delayed to a further date.

The reason being that the European clubs would refuse to let their players travel to South America to play the matches.

This would not be the first time the South American World Cup qualifiers have been delayed with them having been already delayed twice last year. Argentina would play Uruguay at home on March 26 before playing their second match on March 30 away vs. Brazil.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says Paulo Dybala likely to miss World Cup qualifiers, Sergio Aguero, more

Roy Nemer
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16

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni arrived back in Argentina where he spoke about Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala, the World Cup qualifiers and much more.

Scaloni will announce his list for this month’s World Cup qualifiers in the upcoming week. Several injuries to key players as well as travel restrictions could be a problem as the team go up against Uruguay and Brazil later this month. Having only drawn one match and won the other three, Scaloni’s team are second in qualifying. They host Uruguay on March 26 before traveling to play Brazil on March 30 in two difficult games.

Speaking to the media, here’s what he had to say:

“It will be two fixtures just like the others but this one will be particular in that we have been observing the players. There are some who are not in the best conditions but we have time to wait until we give the final list.”

Regarding the possible travel restrictions from countries due to COVID:

“I believe there will be a reunion with CONMEBOL to reach an agreement. If the countries decide not to release the players, we can’t do much, we hope they can get here because they are important players.”

The coach has several injured players including Gio Lo Celso, Lucas Ocampos, Marcos Acuña and Nico González:

“I don’t believe there’s a problem, there are players and choices. We hope they can play in any of the matches for them to get to better fitness. If the opposite were to happen, we have other options.”

Sergio Aguero is another one who has been battling injuries this season:

“I spoke to him a month ago and hopefully he can get into the rhythm, We will decide the final list in the next week and he is always in consideration but he has to be in the best condition and we know he won’t get here 100%.”

Paulo Dybala could miss both matches due to his injury:

“We spoke four days ago and there was no solution to the pain in his ligament. He will undergo treatment and it will be difficult for him to be here.”

Marcos Senesi of Feyenoord is being looked at by Scaloni:

“There was a big change, he’s playing several matches and in a competitive league, he could be an option.”

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