The Argentina starting eleven for the match against Guatemala has been confirmed.
As we reported earlier in the day, Nicolas TAGLIAFICO will captain the team with Geronimo RULLI as the goalkeeper. Here’s the starting eleven:
RULLI; SARAVIA, PEZZELLA, FUNES MORI, TAGLIAFICO; LO CELSO, PAREDES, PALACIOS; PAVON, SIMEONE, MARTINEZ
No one in the team will wear the number 10 shirt for the two matches this month.
Interim Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI held a press conference on Thursday night ahead Argentina’s friendly match on Thursday.
This will be SCALONI’s first match in charge of the senior side after having just won the U20 COTIF tournament. Speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles, here’s what SCALONI had to say:
“We based our call-ups on what we believe was best at the moment. We try to bring the best. Today, football is easy for no one. We come with new players and two days of training. Surely the match will be difficult.
“It’s a new stage. There’s an interim coach and all the players want to show their talent to stay. It depends on them. For them, it’s an important moment because after a World Cup comes a new stage and everyone wants to be included.”
Lionel SCALONI spoke about the players and who will be the captain of the team.
“The captain will be ROMERO but he’s not in the best shape to play. Therefore the armband will go to Nicolas TAGLIAFICO.”
SCALONI also spoke about the players and how he is only the interim Argentina coach.
“There are players we believe will have a great future. They just have to show it. Hopefully those who make their debut will be able to put on the shirt and not have to take it off until they retire.
“For me, it’s a great dream and responsibility to be in this position. Everyone knows that I am the interim coach. I have no doubts about it. It’s clear that we have something important with the U20 team in January.”
There are many reports circulating that interim Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI has decided on a starting eleven for the match against Guatemala.
There were a few line-ups from training sessions which were recently announced but it finally looks like SCALONI has his eleven players in mind to start the match. Per reports, here’s how Argentina will start against Guatemala.
RULLI; SARAVIA, PEZZELLA, FUNES MORI, TAGLIAFICO; LO CELSO, PAREDES, PALACIOS; PAVON, SIMEONE, MARTINEZ
As we reported, Nicolas TAGLIAFICO of Ajax is set to captain the team. It would mean that five of the eleven would receive their first cap for Argentina. Those five being RULLI, SARAVIA, PALACIOS, SIMEONE and MARTINEZ.
Mauro ICARDI trained normally on Thursday and could feature on Tuesday night vs. Colombia.
Interim Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI received a boost on Thursday as Inter captain Mauro ICARDI trained with the rest of the Argentina team. As we’ve reported several times this week, ICARDI has been carrying a knock and was (remains) doubtful for the match on Friday against Guatemala.
#SelecciónMayor El delantero Mauro Icardi volvió a entrenarse hoy junto al resto de sus compañeros de manera normal. pic.twitter.com/9fcwFeORzk
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) September 6, 2018
The official Argentina account confirmed the news regarding ICARDI on Thursday. However, with ICARDI training normally, it would still appear that Fiorentina’s Giovanni SIMEONE will start against Guatemala but ICARDI would likely get some playing time in the two matches.
Giovanni SIMEONE is set to follow in his father’s footsteps and make his debut for the Argentina National Team when they play Guatemala on Friday.
Initial rumors had Mauro ICARDI and Lautaro MARTINEZ as the two starting forwards for Lionel SCALONI. When news broke out that Lautaro MARTINEZ has had to leave the team due to injury and Mauro ICARDI not fit enough to start, one name came up to replace them both. That name being Giovanni SIMEONE of Fiorentina.
Speaking on the AFA’s official Youtube channel, here’s what SIMEONE had to say about his call-up to the Argentina team:
“I’m very happy. When Lionel (SCALONI) called me, I got very emotional for getting this chance and I’ll give it my all.”
SIMEONE, who finished last season with 14 goals, is set to start up front for Argentina alongside Cristian PAVON and Gonzalo MARTINEZ.
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