Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has his starting eleven with a change at left back.

As we reported earlier, Nicolas Tagliafico was a doubt for the match and he will not be starting. Instead, it’s Nicolás González who will replace him, despite being a forward. Here’s the starting eleven:

Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás González; Rodrigo de Paul, Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Lucas Ocampos.

The formation could also mean a back three and a midfield of four with Messi, Lautaro and Ocampos up front. The three players who did not make the bench are Agustín Marchesín, Leonardo Balerdi and Lisandro Martinez.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni reportedly has his starting eleven in mind with a few spots remaining.

Lionel Scaloni is set to start Franco Armani as the goalkeeper vs. Paraguay in the World Cup qualifier. The four in front of him would be Gonzalo Montiel as the right back. Martinez Quarta, who joined the team on Wednesday, will be one of the two starting center backs with Nicolas Otamendi as the other. Nicolas Tagliafico keeps his spot at left back.

Leandro Paredes has been a main stay in midfield and would keep his spot. The other two positions in midfield are between three players. Per a report by TyC Sports, two of Rodrigo de Paul, Gio Lo Celso and Exequiel Palacios would start with Paredes in midfield.

Up front, Lionel Messi starts as does Lucas Ocampos who is set to start ahead of Angel Di Maria. The other spot up front is between Lautaro Martinez and Lucas Alario with Lautaro not fully fit.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference about Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and the other players who are doubts for the match vs. Paraguay on Thursday.

Lionel Scaloni has not been able to count on every one of his players. From injuries, to players not being fully fit, to players not able to travel. Speaking at a press conference, Scaloni commented on the situation. Here’s what he had to say about Lionel Messi:

“With us, Leo trained normally. It’s known that with his club, he was playing for a while because he’s had some discomfort in his ankle but that doesn’t prevent him from playing. For us, he’s ready to play tomorrow. What happens tomorrow, we will see if something changes but in principle, he will play.”

Regarding the squad:

“The truth is we’ve had a lot of inconveniences. Above all being able to count on most of our players. We still don’t have everyone. Martínez Quarta arrived just recently and we will see if he will be able to train with the rest of the group in the evening. And the others are training differently for different reasons, we hope to see today how they are to solidify the team for tomorrow.

“No doubt about it, this was not a typical call-up. The amount of matches played, we hope to be able to count on everyone.”

In regards to the fitness of Lautaro Martinez:

“Today we will see how he responds but in principle, he is well. If he can’t make it, we have other options. Lautaro is well, Alario is well, Joaquin is well. We will see, if it’s true that Lautaro can’t play, we will make some decisions but today we believe he will be able to play and that leaves us calm.”