The Argentina line-up to play Nigeria has been confirmed and Angel DI MARIA starts.
Following the team’s 1-0 win against Russia, coach Jorge SAMPAOLI has made a few changes to the eleven which are going to start against the Nigerians. Here’s the starting line-up:
MARCHESIN; MASCHERANO, PEZZELLA, OTAMENDI; Enzo PEREZ, BANEGA; PAVON, LO CELSO, DI MARIA; DYBALA, AGUERO.
The line-up means seven of the eleven players that started the match against Russia will start this one. Javier MASCHERANO, German PEZZELLA, Nicolas OTAMENDI, Enzo PEREZ, Giovani LO CELSO, Angel DI MARIA and Sergio AGUERO all repeat for the second straight match. Goalkeeper Agustin MARCHESIN comes in for Manchester United’s Sergio ROMERO, Ever BANEGA comes in for Matias KRANEVITTER, Cristian PAVON in for Eduardo SALVIO and Paulo DYBALA replaces Lionel MESSI.
Paulo DYBALA, Dario BENEDETTO and a whole set of new players are set to start for Argentina against Nigeria.
Jorge SAMPAOLI is expected to make eleven changes from the 1-0 victory against Russia for the game against Nigeria. We already know that Lionel MESSI will not take part in the second friendly match as he already left the team to go back to Barcelona.
In Sunday’s training session, the coach went with eleven changes. However, the line-up used in training is not necessarily the same which will start the match against the Nigerians. Here’s the team which training and the rumored line-up:
MARCHESIN; MASCHERANO, PEZZELLA, OTAMENDI; PAVON, BANEGA, KRANEVITTER, LO CELSO, DI MARIA or PEROTTI; DYBALA, BENEDETTO
According to Ole, the second line-up is the one expected to start. The only question remains on the left between Angel DI MARIA and Diego PEROTTI. If that were to be the team which starts against Nigeria, it would mean that goalkeeper Agustin MARCHESIN would get only his second cap for his country (the first coming in a 7-0 victory in October 2014 against Hong Kong). The same three which started against Russia would start this one, Cristian PAVON (who had the assist on Sergio AGUERO’s goal) would get his first ever start. Ever BANEGA would come in for Enzo PEREZ while Matias KRANEVITTER and Giovani LO CELSO would get back to back starts. Up front, it’s Paulo DYBALA and Dario BENEDETTO.
Argentina legend Gabriel BATISTUTA took to the media to discuss a long time topic involving himself, Hernan CRESPO and Marcelo BIELSA.
The second all time leading goal scorer for Argentina has come out and said that he wanted to play with Hernan CRESPO up front but that it was Marcelo BIELSA who decided not to play them together. (more specifically at the 2002 World Cup). Batigol also commented on Lionel MESSI surpassing him and becoming Argentina’s all time goal scorer.Here’s what he had to say:
Hernan Crespo comes on for Gabriel Batistuta at the 2002 World Cup.
Gabriel BATISTUTA on Hernan CRESPO and Marcelo BIELSA:
“The only one who thought we couldn’t play together was the man in charge, BIELSA. I told him several times. He was committed to his idea but he made a mistake. No one scored more goals than us. And we played a part. Hernan also liked to get out of the area to play… There was no problem between us, we got along well.”
“BIELSA marked me a lot. He taught me that I have to train everyday and to be there 30 minutes before, to be careful.”
Gabriel BATISTUTA on Lionel MESSI surpassing him as Argentina top goal scorer:
“It hurt a little, yes. A lot, no, just a little. It’s a title that I had and it’s not anything. You go around the world as Argentina’s all time top goal scorer. The advantage that I have is that I’m only behind an alien.”
Sergio Kun AGUERO scores as Argentina picked up a 1-0 win against Russia.
It was a big match for the Manchester City man as he continues to write history both for club and country. After becoming Manchester City’s all time leading goalscorer, the man wearing the number 9 shirt for Argentina today scored his 35th goal for his country, tying him with Hernan CRESPO in third place on Argentina’s all time top goal scorer list.
The goal came late in the match after MESSI passed it to Cristian PAVON (who was in an offside position) and he pulled it back to AGUERO who’s initial shot is blocked but scores on the rebound with his head.
Sergio Aguero stands in third place as he ties Hernan Crespo on the Argentina goal scorer list.
The first half ended scoreless but not without chances for Jorge SAMPAOLI’s men. First big chance for Argentina, MESSI got on the ball and passed it to DI MARIA in the area who’s shot was blocked and AGUERO’s (tough angled) rebound went out for a corner kick.
Second chance of the match came through Sergio AGUERO when he picked the ball up and slid it to Eduardo SALVIO who pulled it back to MESSI but the pass was blocked and went out for a corner kick.
Best opportunity of the first half came through the two Manchester City players. MESSI sent it wide to OTAMENDI who crossed it to his City team mate as AGUERO’s volley was saved. Great shot by Kun and an even better save by the goalkeeper. This took us to half time.
The second half started off with a great chance for the captain Lionel MESSI. AGUERO delivered a ball in to Leo who tried to chip the goalkeeper but not a good touch off his foot.
Russia also had a great opportunity to score. A shot comes in and it was spilled by Manchester United’s Sergio ROMERO. Luckily for him and his team, German PEZZELLA was there to clear it out.
Nicolas OTAMENDI surprised the goalkeeper with an overhead kick inside the area which resulted in a corner kick.
Three substitutions were made by Jorge SAMPAOLI with the first being Alejandro “Papu” GOMEZ came on for Giovani LO CELSO. Diego PEROTTI came on for Angel DI MARIA and the third was Paulo DYBALA on for Sergio AGUERO.
The Argentina line-up is out and Giovani LO CELSO starts.
Argentina National Team coach has announced his line-up for the match against Russia. Two players will be making their National Team debuts as German PEZZELLA and Giovani LO CELSO will both be receiving their first caps. Here’s the starting eleven:
ROMERO; MASCHERANO, PEZZELLA, OTAMENDI: Enzo PEREZ, KRANEVITTER, LO CELSO, SALVIO; MESSI, AGUERO, DI MARIA
Argentina line-up against Russia
Here’s the Argentina bench:
Emanuel MAMMANA
Federico FAZIO
Leandro PAREDES
Emiliano INSUA
Dario BENEDETTO
Nahuel GUZMAN
Diego PEROTTI
Ever BANEGA
Paulo DYBALA
Alejandro GOMEZ
Emiliano RIGONI
Cristian PAVON
