07/07/2024 14:49hs. Updated on 07/07/2024 23:16hs.
The evening sun beats down on the buildings of Manhattan. While thousands of Argentines took advantage of Sunday to visit the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Times Square, the Argentine National Team went to the Red Bull Training Center in New Jersey to resume training. This practice was aimed at preparing for the 2024 Copa América semi-final once morest Canada. This new session allowed Lionel Scaloni to continue testing variations and address some doubts regarding the starting lineup for the match at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday. What did he work on? What did he try out? Will Di Maria play?
The National Team Lineup: Di María Could Start Against Canada
Already in New Jersey, Scaloni is working hard to fine-tune the team’s tactical and physical aspects before the match once morest Canada. In Sunday’s session, the coach included three-group rondos for the warm-up, followed by 10-vs-10 defense and attack drills and 7-on-7 games, rotating between three teams. Goalkeepers, under the guidance of Martín Tocalli and Daniel Canuhe, worked separately in the first part of the session. Marcos Acuña, who has been recovering from a muscle overload and is progressing favorably, worked separately, making him unlikely to feature on Tuesday.
One thing is clear: Lionel Messi has significantly recovered from his right leg adductor problem. He won’t be 100%, but he will have more ease with his movements. He had less pain in the last few training sessions and was able to work alongside his teammates. With the number 10 confirmed – his participation once morest Ecuador was in doubt until 24 hours before the match – the National Team has one less thing to worry regarding. They can rest assured that the captain will lead the team, as he has done in every match since the 2006 World Cup.
Scaloni still has some footballing decisions to make in the 24 hours before the match. Perhaps the biggest question is what will happen with Ángel Di María. Fideo didn’t play a single minute in the quarter-final once morest Ecuador, watching the penalty shootout from the bench. Fortunately, the team advanced, and the Rosario native will have two more matches with the national team jersey. “Angel was always warming up and might be an option. Who doesn’t like to see that? I am the first, but…”, said Lio DT in the press conference.
Di María now has a chance to start once morest Canada on Tuesday. In his last appearance, he started as a right-winger in a 4-4-2 formation and had some good moments. He started another match once morest Peru, when Scaloni decided to rotate the team. He came on in the second half once morest Chile. Angelito has already announced his retirement following the Copa América, confirming his departure from the National Team. Considering the opponent’s characteristics, Scaloni is considering starting Fideo in place of Nico González, which is what he tried out in training on Sunday. However, the final decisions will be made at Monday’s training session.
With eight players confirmed (Dibu, Molina, Cuti, Lisandro, Tagliafico, De Paul, Alexis, and Messi), the coach still needs to finalize the starting eleven. The three positions in doubt throughout this Copa América are the left-wing midfielder, the centre-forward, and the third striker. The third midfielder position is also under review. Although Enzo Fernandez earned the spot at the World Cup, his recent form has been inconsistent since returning from inguinal hernia surgery. This is why Leandro Paredes and Gio Lo Celso are also vying for the position. Scaloni must decide between sticking with the World Cup midfield or making changes to adapt to the current situation.
The centre-forward position continues to be a point of attention due to the outstanding form of Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. They have each started two games: the first two for Manchester City and the last two for Inter. Julián scored one goal, while Lautaro scored four. However, despite Toro’s good form, the coach is considering using an attacking line similar to the one he used in the opening match, with Leo, Araña, and Fideo.
Argentina’s Probable Starting Lineup Against Canada
The starting eleven once morest Canada and the three main doubts: Martinez in goal; Nahuel Molina, Cuti Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico in defense; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez or Paredes/Lo Celso in midfield; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez or Julian Alvarez in attack, and Nicolas Gonzalez or Angel Di Maria as the third forward.
07/07/2024 14:49hs. Updated on 07/07/2024 23:16hs.
The evening sun beats down on the buildings of Manhattan. And while thousands of Argentines took advantage of Sunday to visit the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Times Square, the Argentine National Team went to the Red Bull Training Center in New Jersey to return to training with a view to the semi-final of the 2024 Copa América, once morest Canada. This new practice served Lionel Scaloni to continue testing variants and clear up some doubts regarding the 11 that will go to MetLife Stadium next Tuesday. What did he work on? What did he try out? Is Di Maria playing?
The line-up for the national team: Di María would be a starter once morest Canada
Already in New Jersey, Scaloni is working hard to fine-tune tactical and physical details before the match once morest Canada. In this Sunday’s session, the DT has included rondos in three groups for the warm-up, followed by Defense and attack drills in a 10 vs. 10 format and 7-on-7 games, alternating between three teams. The goalkeepers, under the direction of Martín Tocalli and Daniel Canuhe, have worked separately in the first part of the sessions. And Marcos Acuña, who is coming off a muscle overload and is evolving favorably, worked separately, which would practically rule him out for Tuesday.
One thing is clear: Lionel Messi is much better from his right leg adductor problem. Obviously it won’t be full, it’s not 100 percent, but it will be looser and it will have more ease in its movements. He spent the last few training sessions with less pain and was able to work alongside his teammates. So, with the number 10 as a flag and confirmed -with Ecuador it was in doubt until 24 hours before the match-, the National Team now has one less focus of attention and also the peace of mind that the captain will be back in charge of the team, as in every match since the 2006 World Cup onwards.
Scaloni has to resolve some football issues in the 24 hours before the match. And perhaps what steals the spotlight is what will happen to Ángel Di María. Fideo did not play a single minute in the quarter-finals once morest Ecuador, he watched the penalties from the bench and, luckily, the team went through and the Rosario native will have two more matches with the national team jersey.Angel was always warming up and might be an option. Who doesn’t like to see that? I am the first, but…”, said Lio DT in the conference.
Now Di Maria has a chance to start once morest Canada on Tuesday. In his debut he started as a right-winger in a 4-4-2 and had some good moments. The other match in which he started was once morest Peru, the day that Scaloni decided to rotate the team, while once morest Chile he came on in the second half. Angelito has already announced that he is retiring following the Copa América, that he is leaving the National Team… With the characteristics of the rival, Scaloni is considering Fideo playing in place of Nico González. And that is what he tried out in training this Sunday. However, the decisions will be made at the final practice session on Monday.
With eight players confirmed (Dibu, Molina, Cuti, Lisandro, Tagliafico, De Paul, Alexis and Messi), The coach will have to finish defining the 11 with the three positions that were always in doubt in this Copa América: the left-wing midfielder, the centre-forward and the third striker. The third midfielder is something that is being reviewed: although the position is Enzo Fernandez (he won it at the World Cup), he didn’t have good matches since he returned from the inguinal hernia operation and that’s why Leandro Paredes and Gio Lo Celso They are also fighting for that position. Scaloni is between confirming the World Cup midfield or dealing with the current situation.
The centre forward position is always in the spotlight due to the excellent levels of Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. So far they have started two games each: the first two for Manchester City and the last two for Inter. Julián scored one goal and Lautaro scored four. However, despite the good form of Toro, The coach is considering putting in an attack similar to the one from the debut, with Leo, Araña and Fideo.
The probable formation of Argentina vs. Canada
The 11 once morest Canada and the three doubts: Drawn by Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cuti Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez or Paredes/Lo Celso; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez or Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez or Angel Di Maria.
