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Lionel MESSI misses Argentina training in Madrid

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March 24, 2018

Lionel MESSI misses Argentina training in Madrid

Lionel MESSI missed Argentina’s training session in Madrid ahead of the match against Spain while Jorge SAMPAOLI’s staff was spread all across the world.

When Argentina take the pitch on Tuesday in Madrid, it’ll be against the 2010 FIFA World Cup holders and one of the favorites for the tournament in Russia. Following the team’s 2-0 win against Italy in Manchester in Friday, the squad took a flight Saturday morning to Madrid to train at Real Madrid’s training facilities.

Three names were absent from the session on Saturday and they were Lionel MESSI, Sergio AGUERO and Angel DI MARIA (who suffered a muscle injury in his right leg during the match against Italy).

Jorge SAMPAOLI had staff members spread out in Europe and in North America. One was in attendance to watch Iceland against Mexico (Iceland lost 3-0) while there was another in attendance to watch Croatia lose 2-0 against Peru. Lionel SCALONI attended Germany’s 1-1 draw against Spain.

As for Spain, David SILVA left the Spanish squad due to personal reasons and will not play on Tuesday against Argentina.

Argentina get 2 – 0 win against Italy, BANEGA, LANZINI score

Roy Nemer

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March 23, 2018

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Argentina get 2 – 0 win against Italy, BANEGA, LANZINI score

Argentina picked-up a 2-0 win against Italy with Ever BANEGA and Manuel LANZINI as the goal scorers.

A Lionel MESSI-less Argentina team saw them get a 2-0 victory against Italy. All the news prior to the match was about the fitness of Lionel MESSI and it’s fair to say, for the most part, the team did fairly well without him. Both goalkeepers were busy on both sides of the pitch but it was Willy CABALLERO, on his Argentina National Team debut, who got the better of football legend Gianluigi BUFFON.

The team looked much improved in the match and while some cracks were certainly there, the players looked more comfortable than the last two matches when they played against Nigeria and Russia. Substitute Ever BANEGA opened the scoring following a great one-two with Giovani LO CELSO (who ironically enough was the man who replaced Lionel MESSI in the starting eleven). Shortly before the end of the match, West Ham United’s Manuel LANZINI doubled his country’s lead with a fantastic shot from the edge of the penalty area to seal the 2-0 victory.

Goal scorer Ever BANEGA came on for Leandro PAREDES as the first change of the night for Jorge SAMPAOLI. Captain Angel DI MARIA was taken off for Diego PEROTTI, Cristian PAVON came on for Giovani LO CELSO and Gabriel MERCADO was the last substitute on for Fabricio BUSTOS.

Ever BANEGA goal for Argentina

Éver Banega apareció para romper la fricción . La Argentina de Sampaoli le gana 1-0 a Italia en Manchester . : @Seb0u75013. pic.twitter.com/OtILTuPIJ7

— Corresponsales Latinoamérica (@CorresponsalesL) March 23, 2018

Manuel LANZINI goal for Argentina

Golazo de Lanzini pic.twitter.com/Ihrql84mkQ

— G A B O (@Cachete) March 23, 2018

Argentina vs. Italy Match Thread – Lineup confirmed

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Roy Nemer

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March 23, 2018

77

Argentina vs. Italy Match Thread – Lineup confirmed

Argentina’s starting lineup for their match against Italy has been confirmed.

As we stated earlier, no Sergio AGUERO or Lionel MESSI for Jorge SAMPAOLI (not even on the bench) as Giovani LO CELSO of PSG gets the nod. Here’s the confirmed eleven:

CABALLERO; BUSTOS, OTAMENDI, FAZIO, TAGLIAFICO; PAREDES, BIGLIA; LO CELSO, LANZINI, DI MARIA; HIGUAIN

Substitutes:
Sergio ROMERO
Nahuel GUZMAN
Gabriel MERCADO
Javier MASCHERANO
Enzo PEREZ
Marcos ROJO
Angel CORREA
Ever BANEGA
Cristian PAVON
Lautaro MARTINEZ
Diego PEROTTI

Sergio AGUERO out, Lionel MESSI a doubt for Argentina

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Roy Nemer

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March 23, 2018

12

Sergio AGUERO out, Lionel MESSI a doubt for Argentina

Sergio AGUERO is out for Argentina while Lionel MESSI is a doubt for the remainder of the matches.

When the Argentina National Team takes the pitch at the Etihad for their friendly match against Italy, they will be without both Sergio AGUERO and their captain Lionel MESSI. The AFA have announced through their official Twitter account that the Manchester City star is out of the squad for both the matches against Italy later tonight and the match against Spain. AGUERO will continue to recover from his knee injury.

As for Lionel MESSI, the Barcelona man will not make the squad against Italy due to a muscle fatigue. MESSI, who won’t even be on the bench for the match, could make the Argentina team for the game against Spain on Tuesday. However, that is not yet confirmed.

Speaking with TyC Sports at the Etihad Stadium, here’s what Lionel MESSI had to say:
“I always want to play but there’s still a long way until the World Cup.”

Giovani LO CELSO to start ahead of Lionel MESSI for Argentina

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Roy Nemer

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March 23, 2018

29

Giovani LO CELSO to start ahead of Lionel MESSI for Argentina

Giovani LO CELSO is set to start ahead of Lionel MESSI for the match tonight.

As we reported late Thursday night, a report emerged that Lionel MESSI is not fully fit and could potentially sit out Argentina’s friendly match against Italy. Now Friday afternoon in Manchester, England, it does appear as though MESSI has been ruled out for the match and the fans at the Etihad stadium will see Givoani LO CELSO of PSG start instead of MESSI. The Argentina captain is fighting muscle fatigue.

As things stand, here’s the rumored eleven for the match:

Giovani LO CELSO for Lionel MESSI

CABALLERO; BUSTOS, OTAMENDI, FAZIO, TAGLIAFICO; PAREDES, BIGLIA; LANZINI, LO CELSO, DI MARIA; HIGUAIN

A fairly balanced team but a lot on the line for many of the players. Bar for possibly Nicolas OTAMENDI, Lucas BIGLIA and Angel DI MARIA, the rest of the players are all fighting for a place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final squad.

Lionel MESSI misses Argentina training in Madrid