Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni held a press conference on Thursday where he spoke about the team and the starting line-up against Uruguay.

Lionel Scaloni commented on the team and the starting eleven for the team’s World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay on Friday. Here is what he had to say:

“Whenever there is a FIFA date, we are always alert. We knew there were several injured players and the possibility of losing some of them.

“We must think about what we have and the opportunity for the players who are with us today. The plans we had 15 days ago are useless and that’s why we had to plan the match again.

“The starting lineup for tomorrow is 90% decided. I’ll have it ready in the afternoon after the training but I already have an idea.

“We are going to face a difficult opponent like Uruguay, always keeping our ideas in mind.

“We know how Marcelo (Bielsa)’s teams play, always attacking and looking for the opponent’s goal. We are looking for the same thing, to play a good game and try to counteract what they can do.

“With the players we have out, it could be an opportunity for some guys to show their value, to analyze them for what is to come, beyond the result”.

Lautaro Martínez is out for Argentina and will miss both matches against Uruguay and Brazil.

Martínez has widthdrawn from the Argentina national team for the March World Cup qualifying matches due to an injury. The official Argentina social media account stated that Lautaro is out due to a muscle injury in his lower left hamstring.

Giuliano Simeone could start for Argentina against Uruguay.

Simeone has chances of being in the Argentina starting eleven in the World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay on Friday. According to Leandro Alves of ESPNArgentina, the 22 year old’s chances of being in the starting eleven are increasing.

Both Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala are not part of the team due to injuries and Lautaro Martínez is not expected to play for Argentina against Uruguay on Friday.

Lautaro Martínez is a doubt for Argentina against Uruguay.

Martínez could miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay on Thursday. According to Fernando Czyz and Nani Senra of DSportsRadio, Lautaro did not train with his team mates due to a muscle overload.

He could miss the match against Uruguay but be fully fit for the World Cup qualifying match against Brazil.