Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference on Wednesday.

Lionel Scaloni commented on the team, the match against Paraguay and the October World Cup qualifiers. The Copa America champions trained on Wednesday with Scaloni speaking to the press after the training. Here’s what he had to say:

“The team is not yet confirmed but it’s almost 99% going to be the one from the Copa final. We might make a small change based on a player that has some discomfort.

“The challenge I have as a coach is that the team competes in every match, and to improve where needed. On a collective level, the team is performing regularly.

“We are functioning well as a team. On the other side, it’s obvious that we have players that on an individual level, can define a match. The players should be ready for what the coach decides. Our choices are always because of football and for what they can bring us match by match.

“We are happy with this group. We always take into consideration how the players are doing at their clubs.”

In regards to the World Cup qualifiers:

“Our intention is to take it match by match. It’s our way of working and we believe that we will continue to do well that way.

“We watch all of our rivals. How they can cause us problems. We are constantly watching football. We want to add to our knowledge all the time.

Scaloni also spoke about Paraguay, Argentina’s opponents on Thursday:

“Paraguay are an uncomfortable team to play. We will see how they approach the game, our way of playing will not change.

The coach also commented on Julian Alvarez, who has been in great form:

“We appreciate Julian (Alvarez) very much. He’s growing enormously. He’s a guy whom, in addition to giving us a lot in terms of football, in training, it’s incredible how he works. Him playing or not has nothing to do with his age.”

As Scaloni mentioned, the team would be that from the Copa America final. The player in doubt appears to be Marcos Acuña who had suffered an injury with his club. This would be the starting eleven:

Emiliano Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Di María, Lautaro Martínez and Lionel Messi.

Exequiel Palacios trained with the Argentina squad on Wednesday with everyone else being available.

Palacios was called up to the Argentina national team despite not being fully fit. An injury meant that Palacios would be a doubt for the October World Cup qualifying matches but he did train with the squad on Wednesday.

According to ESPN, Palacios could be available for Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni against Peru, the last of the team’s three World Cup qualifying matches. This would mean that he would not be fit for the matches against Paraguay and Uruguay this week.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has the entire squad available and held a training session on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi and his PSG team mates Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes were the last to join the group in the morning with all three rumored to be starting vs. Paraguay on Thursday. According to several reports out of the Argentine media, Scaloni is rumored to be starting the same eleven which won the Copa America. Here is the rumored eleven:

Emiliano Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Di María, Lautaro Martínez and Messi

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni commented on the October World Cup qualifiers.

Lionel Scaloni spoke about the team, Paulo Dybala and Sergio Aguero, the October matches and the Copa America. Speaking in an interview with the AFA Youtube channel, here is what he had to say:

“I’m eager that the matches arrive because they are important games and we believe we are well. We have a base, 80 or 90% of those called-up are the same. That gives you peace of mine even if you have little time to work. We are not invincible, far from it. We know where we stand. We have to do what we do well and there are always things to improve.

“Between the first and second match there are two days or so to prepare. The big problem is that you already arrive there with a work load and you can’t ignore the third. Having three matches is new but we have a large squad. It’s something unusual, especially in South America where trips are long. Luckily, this time we do not have them but when you have to play far, it’s a problem.”

Scaloni also spoke about Paulo Dybala and Sergio Aguero:

“It worries us because time passes and we can’t give them matches. Above all, it’s difficult when the group is already consolidated. I would have liked to have been able to count on Paulo, on Sergio, players that we like. For one reason or another, we can’t count on them. It’s a setback but there are guys who can do the same or even better.”

In regards to the youth team:

“The youth haven’t had the continuity that we would have wanted but we’re all with the same idea, with the same anxiousness that it continues like this.

“We would have liked for the youth to train with us but the pandemic disrupted that. We want the kids to see their idols and for them to gain a sense of belonging and love for the shirt.

Regarding the team and winning the Copa America:

“The idea when the pandemic passes is to continue with a line a work. To feel the shirt and to have a sense of belonging.

“I like to see that people enjoy it and remember it but the triumphs last very little. In my case, it was only one day because after that I started to think of what was coming. We will realize what we have achieved later on.

“The fan has been waiting for it because this shirt has deserved to win other things in recent years. I’m happy because it happened to us, not for us but for the people. I’m grateful for the affection but you have to continue. It was unjust that they didn’t want another title. They deserved it, as much in the World Cup final as the other two Copa America’s that they lost. It touched us too.”