Although it is no longer as powerful, the big doubt that it has Argentina It is how many points will it reach Lionel Messi to the semi-final of the America Cup against Canada at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will be played from 2am on Wednesday in Spain. Beyond the words that are leaked from the Albiceleste’s inner circle, it will soon be known how Leo’s right adductor muscle responds during the match.
Messi had suffered a slight strain in his right adductor muscle against Chile. He did not play against Peru. He just returned in the quarter-finals against Ecuador. There he completed the 90 minutes, but he was seen to be too static, without explosion, without change of pace, with minimal participation. And on top of that he missed the first penalty of the series that once again crowned Dibu Martínez. It was clear that his presence against the Ecuadorians was not the best choice. This Leo, now 37 years old, although he acknowledged that he did not suffer any pain, confessed that he was afraid of getting injured again. So he did not play freely.
After that incident in Houston, Messi went through all of the Argentine training sessions working alongside his teammates and did not feel any discomfort. In short, he will go into this match against Canada better than against Ecuador, but with an open question. How many points will he get? Will we see a Messi in his prime?
Scaloni plans changes and Di María is set to start
Beyond the captain, the last training session at the New York Red Bull stadium left some signs that reinforce Lionel Scaloni’s idea of making changes after the poor performance of the Argentine team against Ecuador. Angel Di María, who was always in the starting eleven during training, is expected to start. He had not played even a minute in the quarter-final match, something that was surprising, and he would replace Nicolás González.
The coach, on the other hand, is considering a change in the centre of the attack. In Julián Álvarez and out Lautaro Martínez, who scored 4 of Argentina’s 6 goals and is the top scorer in the Copa América? It’s possible. This change would have a direct link to Di María’s. If he puts Fideo (who has less range and effort in recovery than Nico González), Scaloni usually chooses Julián as the “9” (who wears out more, moves around more and puts more pressure on Lautaro). It would be a way of balancing the team despite the strength of Inter’s top scorer.
A third change in the line-up is not ruled out. It could be in midfield. Enzo Fernández has not yet reached his best form and Argentina has been showing some weaknesses in that area. In the penultimate training session, Scaloni tried out the Chelsea midfielder, but also Leandro Paredes. One of the two will accompany Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister.
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On the other hand, there was a possibility that was considered and that was ruled out in this session. Marcos Acuña, who is recovering from a muscle injury, continues to work in a differentiated way and the opportunity for him to enter to shape a line of 5 defenders is fading away.
For now, Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes or Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez and Angel Di Maria are hinted at as the 11 Argentina players who will seek another final. Today there will be a press conference by Scaloni and the last practice session. There will be more clues there.
