One of Lisandro Martinez or Facundo Medina could start at left back for Argentina vs. Paraguay in their World Cup qualifier.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni could be without Nicolas Tagliafico at left back as an injury to his right leg has been bothering him for some time. Per a report by TyC Sports, the Ajax man could miss the match and coach Scaloni would pick between two to replace him.
Lisandro Martinez or Facundo Medina could be in the starting eleven to replace him.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni reportedly has his starting eleven in mind with a few spots remaining.
Lionel Scaloni is set to start Franco Armani as the goalkeeper vs. Paraguay in the World Cup qualifier. The four in front of him would be Gonzalo Montiel as the right back. Martinez Quarta, who joined the team on Wednesday, will be one of the two starting center backs with Nicolas Otamendi as the other. Nicolas Tagliafico keeps his spot at left back.
Leandro Paredes has been a main stay in midfield and would keep his spot. The other two positions in midfield are between three players. Per a report by TyC Sports, two of Rodrigo de Paul, Gio Lo Celso and Exequiel Palacios would start with Paredes in midfield.
Up front, Lionel Messi starts as does Lucas Ocampos who is set to start ahead of Angel Di Maria. The other spot up front is between Lautaro Martinez and Lucas Alario with Lautaro not fully fit.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference about Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and the other players who are doubts for the match vs. Paraguay on Thursday.
Lionel Scaloni has not been able to count on every one of his players. From injuries, to players not being fully fit, to players not able to travel. Speaking at a press conference, Scaloni commented on the situation. Here’s what he had to say about Lionel Messi:
“With us, Leo trained normally. It’s known that with his club, he was playing for a while because he’s had some discomfort in his ankle but that doesn’t prevent him from playing. For us, he’s ready to play tomorrow. What happens tomorrow, we will see if something changes but in principle, he will play.”
Regarding the squad:
“The truth is we’ve had a lot of inconveniences. Above all being able to count on most of our players. We still don’t have everyone. Martínez Quarta arrived just recently and we will see if he will be able to train with the rest of the group in the evening. And the others are training differently for different reasons, we hope to see today how they are to solidify the team for tomorrow.
“No doubt about it, this was not a typical call-up. The amount of matches played, we hope to be able to count on everyone.”
In regards to the fitness of Lautaro Martinez:
“Today we will see how he responds but in principle, he is well. If he can’t make it, we have other options. Lautaro is well, Alario is well, Joaquin is well. We will see, if it’s true that Lautaro can’t play, we will make some decisions but today we believe he will be able to play and that leaves us calm.”
Roberto Pereyra is out of the Argentina national team and will not play in the World Cup qualifiers.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni won’t be able to count on Pereyra for the matches against Paraguay and Peru. The Argentina account on Twitter tweeted out that the Udinese man has a muscle problem and will not be part of the squad.
As we reported yesterday, Pereyra isn’t the only player with injuries as the likes of Lautaro Martínez and Nicolas Otamendi are also having fitness issues.
#SelecciónMayor El futbolista Roberto Pereyra no participará de los próximos dos partidos con @Argentina por lesión muscular en muslo izquierdo ocurrida durante la actividad deportiva con su club. pic.twitter.com/teOfJqG7qb
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) November 11, 2020
Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and three others are all doubts for Argentina when they play Paraguay in the World Cup qualifier.
Messi started Barcelona’s last match on the bench and despite coming on and scoring twice, the Argentine isn’t fully fit. Per a report by TyC Sports, Messi has trained twice in a row separately from the rest of the team. Messi has a problem on his ankle but the team is confident that he will play able to start the game against Paraguay on Thursday in Argentina’s third World Cup qualifier.
Lautaro Martínez is the other doubt as the Inter man still has discomfort in his right hamstring. He also trained separately from the team. Per the report, should he not be fully fit, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni would not start him and would try to play him against Peru in Argentina’s second World Cup qualifier of the month.
The third is Nicolas Tagliafico as the Ajax man is not fully fit. He played the entire match for Ajax in their 3-0 win but remains a doubt. Roberto Pereyra and Nicolas Otamendi also trained separately.
