With the players all in Manchester, the first Argentina line-up from training is out and it’s different from what we have seen in the past.
Argentina National Team coach Jorge SAMPAOLI has opted to go with a four man back line in training session, which is different from the usual three man at the back that we have seen from him. There’s been a variation of players tested in training. Here was the first line-up tested out:
ROMERO; MERCADO, FAZIO, OTAMENDI, TAGLIAFICO; BIGLIA, PAREDES; MEZA, MESSI, DI MARIA; HIGUAIN
However, per TyC Sports, Chelsea’s Willy CABALLERO could get his first ever cap for Argentina at the home of his former club, Manchester City’s Etihad stadium when the team play Italy on Friday. Fabricio BUSTOS and Manuel LANZINI could also start. Here is TyC Sports’ probable eleven against Italy:
CABALLERO; BUSTOS, OTAMENDI, FAZIO or ROJO, TAGLIAFICO; BIGLIA, BANEGA or PAREDES; LANZINI, MESSI, DI MARIA; HIGUAIN
Going with the line-up above, Marcos ROJO could play in his natural position for Argentina as he would partner Nicolas OTAMENDI in the heart of the back line. But his spot is up for grabs as Federico FAZIO could also start alongside OTAMENDI instead of ROJO. Nicolas TAGLIAFICO of Ajax would start as left back.
In midfield, it appears to be between Ever BANEGA and Leandro PAREDES to play beside Lucas BIGLIA. Manuel LANZINI would get the start on the right side of midfield. What does remain the same is that Lionel MESSI, Angel DI MARIA and Gonzalo HIGUAIN (who formed part of the original fabulous four with Sergio AGUERO back in Alejandro SABELLA’s days) start.
This is still not confirmed and far from it. Coach SAMPAOLI is still holding training sessions and we could have a better idea of the eleven which will start against Italy by Thursday. Make sure to keep checking for updates!
Which line-up would you like to see start against Italy? The first one with Sergio ROMERO as the goalkeeper or the second one with Willy CABALLERO as the goalkeeper?
