Argentine National Team Squad Update: Lisandro Martínez Called Up to Strengthen Defense for Friendlies

2024-03-12 20:54:41
After the loss of Senesi due to injury, Scaloni called Nicolás Valentini and Lisandro Martínez to reinforce the defense (REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian)

Lionel Scaloni decided to call up another footballer for the friendlies that the Argentine team will play once morest El Salvador and Costa Rica at the end of March in the United States. This is a world champion: Lisandro Martínez, who is recovering from a knee injury and has not yet played any minutes with Manchester United, was called by the Albiceleste coaching staff, which will thus reinforce the central defense following the loss of Marcos Senesi (it is worth remembering that Nicolás Valentini was also cited).

In early February, Licha suffered a ligament injury to his right knee in a match once morest West Ham in the Premier League. Immediately, he had to be replaced and was out of consideration in his team for the next six official commitments. A little over a month following his joint mishap, everything indicates that he will add minutes with the Red Devils before being affected by the national team. Those led by the Dutchman Erik ten Hag will face Liverpool, this Sunday, in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.

The former Newell’s and Defensa y Justicia had resumed activity in mid-January, following a break of almost four months due to a second operation on the fifth metatarsal of the right foot. That fracture made it impossible for him to be eligible for Scaloni throughout almost all of 2023, the year in which he was barely able to play 45 minutes of the first friendly once morest Panama (2-0 victory at the Monumental). Then he missed the tour of Asia (wins once morest Australia and Indonesia) and missed the first six matches in the South American Qualifiers (joys once morest Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and Brazil, plus a loss once morest Uruguay in the Bombonera).

The Albiceleste will face El Salvador on Friday, March 22 at the Lincoln Financial Field in the city of Philadelphia and on Tuesday, the 26th of the same month once morest Costa Rica at the United Airlines Field at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.

The official tweet with which the National Team confirmed the return of Lisandro Martínez

Although they are regularly part of Scaloni’s squads, other names that stand out are goalkeeper Walter Benítez (PSV of the Netherlands), defender Nehuén Pérez, midfielders Facundo Buonanotte, Valentín Carboni and Nicolás González, in addition to the reappearance of Alejandro Garnacho following leaving him out of the matches once morest Uruguay and Brazil in the Qualifiers. It must be taken into account that following these two matches, Argentina will play two more preparatory duels before taking the first step in the Copa América in the United States. On Sunday, June 9, they will play once morest Ecuador at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago. Next, on Friday the 14th they will face Guatemala in the city of Washington DC, at FedEX Field.

In this way, the big absentees are the world champions Marcos Acuña, Guido Rodrígez (injured), Gerónimo Rulli (without continuity in Ajax of the Netherlands) and Gonzalo Montiel (resuming activity following an injury). Furthermore, there is speculation that some young people such as Thiago Almada, Bruno Amione, Nicolás Paz and Matías Soulé were not considered since in the middle of the year they would perform in the Under 23 team that will travel to Paris to compete in the Olympic Games.

It is important to remember that the Albiceleste is seeded in Group A and on Thursday, June 20, they will play their first game at the Mercedes Stadium, the home of Atlanta United in the MLS, once morest Trinidad and Tobago or Canada, who will define the ticket on Next March 23rd.

The path in the area will continue on Tuesday the 25th once morest Chile in one of the imposing venues of American sports such as the MetLife in New Jersey, venue of the final of the competition in 2016 that established the trans-Andean team as two-time champions of America following winning on penalties. . The last match of the group stage for the National Team will be on Saturday the 29th once morest Peru at the Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins of the NFL.

THE COMPLETE LIST

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani (River Plate), Walter Benítez (PSV – Netherlands) and Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa – England).

Defenders: Germán Pezzella (Betis – Spain), Nehuén Pérez (Udinese – Italy), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica – Portugal), Cristian Romero (Tottenham – England), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United – England), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon – France) , Nicolás Valentini (Boca Juniors – Argentina), Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid – Spain) and Valentín Barco (Brighton – England).

Midfielders: Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham – England), Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton – England), Valentin Carboni (Monza – Italy) and Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina – Italy).

Strikers: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Lautaro Martinez (Inter) and Paulo Dybala. Rome – Italy).

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