This new Argentina and this new 34-year-old Messi seem obsessed with fulfilling their dreams against Brazil, who will not be able to count on Neymar. Four months ago, in Maracana, in the final of the Copa América, the albiceleste and his genius could be champions after multiple frustrated attempts. Now, in San Juan, about 1,350 kilometers from Buenos Aires, in another version of the American superclassic, they will seek to ensure their qualification for the World Cup.
To get the ticket to Qatar 2022, Argentina needs victory and that two of these three teams do not win: Uruguay, Chile and Colombia. It is not easy, but it is possible.
The great albiceleste unknown has already been cleared by Lionel Scaloni. When the classic starts, among the starters will be Lionel Messi, who last played since the start on October 29. How do you get there after the knee and hamstring discomfort in your left leg? In the final 15 minutes he played in Montevideo on Friday against Uruguay, he did not move with ease. It will be seen in San Juan.
Messi will replace Paulo Dybala in a team that presents two doubts. One in the middle: the recovered Leandro Paredes or Guido Rodríguez. The other, in defense: Nahuel Molina or Gonzalo Montiel.
Brazil is already classified for the World Cup with a production that scares: undefeated with 11 wins and a draw. In addition, he lands in Argentina wanting revenge for the lost Copa América final. But of the five defeats of the ‘verdeamarelha’ in the “Tite era”, three were against the albiceleste.
Of course, Brazil arrives in San Juan without Neymar, who in the last practice suffered pain in the left adductor and, with Brazil classified, preferred not to risk. Will Vinicius enter? Tite will not have Casemiro either, suspended. Fabinho will play in his place. There will be two tactical changes. Outside, Thiago Silva and Gabriel Jesús. Inside, Eder Militao, the Real Madrid central defender, and Matheus Cunha, the Atlético striker.
The expectation in San Juan is brutal. Ticket sales were advanced nine hours because everything had overflowed. The American superclassic always captivates, but now more than ever it raises its temperature. The final of the Copa América is very fresh. The suspension at 5 minutes of the September classic in São Paulo was scandalous. And now the seasoning of the World Cup classification that Argentina and Messi are looking for. More compelling, impossible.
Probable lineups:
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina or Montiel; Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; Di María, De Paul, Guido Rodríguez or Leandro Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi and Lautaro
Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Eder Militão, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro; Fabinho, Fred, Lucas Paquetá; Raphinha, Matheus Cunha and Gabriel Jesus
Hour: 00.30 on Wednesday
Referee: Andrés Cunha, from Uruguay
Stadium: Bicentennial of San Juan
