It will be a night of special sensations at the Monumental stadium. There, in the center of the scene, will be Angel Di Maria, who retired from the albiceleste after winning the last Copa América. That man, who overcame merciless criticism and became a legend, will be honored in a memorable tribute organized by the AFA. He certainly earned it…
Everything will take place in the context of a South American Qualifiers match. Argentina will host Chile at 2 a.m. on Friday in Spain. Fideo is not on the list, of course. He will arrive in Buenos Aires this Thursday exclusively to enjoy this caress from the National Team.
After the tribute, there will be a match that Argentina will play without Lionel Messiinjured. What a paradox: in the first match after winning the Copa America, neither the 10 nor the 11, the accomplices of the glorious conquests, will be there. Although Leo will continue, he is almost a symbol of the renewal that is coming and will slowly become more pronounced. Will there finally be more space for Paulo Dybala? Will there be room from now on for the precocious talents Valentín Carboni, Alejandro Garnacho, Matías Soulé, Valentín Barco and Giuliano Simeone to get minutes?
Argentina is the sole leader in the qualifiers, with a two-point advantage over Uruguay. Its presence in the next World Cup is not in danger. However, this match without Messi and without Di María is interesting to see how it responds without its 10 and 11.
A double ‘9’ in Messi’s absence
To replace Messi, Scaloni could use a double 9, starting with Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez. And Nicolás González could play in place of Fideo. Afterwards, the world champion point guard would be the starting point guard.
Chile is the other way around: eighth out of ten teams, today they don’t even qualify for the play-offs. Ricardo Gareca is trying to put together a new Red team, without the old references, without Arturo Vidal, without Gary Medel, without the recently retired Claudio Bravo… And on top of that without Alexis Sánchez, absent due to a calf injury.
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