Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni and Leandro Paredes both spoke to the press on Sunday.

This time it was Leandro Paredes who spoke at a press conference. Paredes, who missed Argentina’s 1-0 win vs. Uruguay on Friday, has a strong chance of starting vs. Paraguay on Monday. He was replaced by Guido Rodriguez who ended up scoring the only goal of the match and gave Argentina the 1-0 win. Here’s what Paredes had to say in regards to Guido and the team:

“The truth is that I am very happy for Guido, for the Argentina national team, because it shows that every guy that is here can bring something.”

“We are taking this one match at a time. I believe we have a group of incredible players. We’re on the right path and we’re growing. With the quality of the players we have, I think we can expect a lot.”

Regarding Paraguay:

“Paraguay have top level players. I feel better, I am good to play. In midfield, we have players of good quality, with a lot of dedication and with different playing styles.”

Lionel Scaloni spoke after Paredes and commented on several things. In regards to the opponent on Monday:

“Paraguay are a very uncomfortable team, a very difficult opponent who know how to play. They have a great coach.”

The coach also spoke about Lionel Messi’s leadership:

“I think Messi’s leadership is always the same on the pitch. Off it, he’s a spectacular guy, who leads the group forward as he has always done.”

Sergio Aguero and Lautaro Martinez were also a topic of discussion:

“Sergio Aguero is getting better every day and that for us is an important contribution.

“As long as I am coach, Lautaro is part of the base. I am satisfied with him and he knows what I think.”

And Scaloni commented on the wingbacks:

“In Brazil, the wingbacks chage. Here too. For me, Molina, Montiel, Tagliafico and Acuña are starters.”

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to make several changes for Monday’s match vs. Paraguay at the Copa America.

Nahuel Molina, who had a good match vs. Uruguay, could start on Monday or Scaloni could revert back to using Gonzalo Montiel. That spot remains undecided. In midfield and attack is where the big doubts are for Scaloni.

Per a report by TyC Sports, Gio Lo Celso, who was substituted off for Exequiel Palacios in the 1-0 win vs. Uruguay, has a swollen left ankle and is bandaged. He is set to miss the match on Monday and could be replaced by either Exequiel Palacios or Leandro Paredes.

The other issue in midfield is that of Leandro Paredes. The PSG was replaced by Guido Rodriguez, who scored the match winner for Argentina and brought more defensive stability to the team. We could see Guido replacing Paredes and Paredes replacing Lo Celso or Guido replacing Paredes and Palacios replacing Lo Celso.

Nicolas Gonzalez is not fully fit after having received a knock vs. Uruguay and is set to be replaced by Angel Di Maria on the wing. Up front, Lautaro Martinez could lose his starting spot for Sergio Aguero. This is the rumored eleven, if taking into considering the doubts:

Emiliano Martinez; Molina/Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna/Tagliafico; De Paul, Guido/Paredes, Palacios/Paredes; Messi, Lautaro/Aguero, Di Maria

Lionel Messi played a fantastic match vs. Uruguay and led the national team to its first victory after three consecutive draws, in the 1000th game of Argentina’s national team history.

The Argentina captain assisted Guido Rodríguez with a precise cross, which was the Albiceleste’s winning goal. But it wasn’t just the cross as Leo made some incredible runs against the always tough Uruguayan defense, being able to dribble many opponents in difficult situations.

But Messi’s importance on the game wasn’t just when he had the ball. He was seen giving orders constantly to his teammates, trying to organize the team on the pitch. In addition to his magnificent never-ending skills, it seems that we are seeing more of a leader and a more mature Messi than in previous occasions.

Messi’s assist to Guido’s goal is his 13th, a record at the Copa America.

Here is a short Lionel Messi compilation from Argentina’s 1-0 win.

pic.twitter.com/Dh1TAQlnzh

— JuannDisVid (@_JDTV) June 19, 2021

Emiliano Martinez spoke about Argentina’s 1-0 win vs. Uruguay, the team and the Copa America.

Martinez has now started the last four games for the Argentina national team and not only got his first win but his first clean sheet. He was interviewed by TyC Sports after the match, here is what he had to say:

“As a group, we were missing the win. We came with a bit of a bitter taste in our mouths because we played well and we couldn’t win.

“They would score against us when we could have been a little better defensively. Today, we defended first and attacked second.”

In regards to the Copa America:

“We are here to win it, it’s what we all dream of, we have the best in the world and a good coach who gives us a plan every match and we’re going to win.

“We have a great squad, anyone who comes in wants to do well, the coach gives a lot of confidence to the players and that is good for the group.”

Regarding favorites Brazil and the other teams in the tournament:

“We are not afraid of anyone, we respect everyone, we are going match by match. I believe from the match vs. Chile in Santiago to now, we are more solid and today we had the defensive solidity.”