Scaloni to shuffle Argentina squad for trip to Ecuador | OneFootball

Without Messi, the national team will play this Tuesday in Guayaquil in the final match of the Qualifiers, and several changes are expected compared to the team that defeated Venezuela 3-0 at the Monumental. The coach will make adjustments in all areas.

It has already become customary for the Argentine National Team to finish the South American Qualifiers in Ecuador. Next Tuesday, starting at 8 PM, they will visit Guayaquil without Lionel Messi, who was left out after the 3-0 win over Venezuela, and without the suspended Cristian Romero, so Lionel Scaloni will have to make changes and will introduce several modifications compared to the team that played and shined a few days ago at the Monumental.

Except for the goal, which is well guarded by Emiliano Dibu Martínez, changes are expected in all lines. According to the latest training sessions at the AFA complex in Ezeiza, Leonardo Balerdi will take Cuti’s place (who received his second yellow card), and the full-backs could also be changed.

At present, Scaloni has no doubts about who his starting wing-backs are: Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Tagliafico. However, considering that the match against Sebastián Beccacece’s team will be played as a mere formality and to put the finishing touch on World Cup qualification, he is thinking of using it to run some tests and clear up any doubts.

Argentina finished the last match against La Vinotinto with Giuliano Simeone on the right and Nicolás González on the left. Two tireless players who showed the ability to switch from defense to attack and vice versa in a matter of seconds. Both could get their chance from the opening whistle, although there is also the possibility that he will opt for Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuña, who are both in good form at River.

A bit further up the field, in addition to the return of Alexis Mac Allister, possibly replacing Franco Mastantuono, there could be other changes, as the coach tried Exequiel Palacios and Giovani Lo Celso in training. If both left-footed midfielders come in, the players to be replaced have not yet been decided.

It is also unclear whether Julián Álvarez will remain as the main striker or if the duo with Lautaro Martínez will return, as Lautaro scored in the last match and could take Messi’s place. The uncertainty regarding the starting eleven will be resolved after Scaloni’s press conference, this Monday from 10 AM, and the morning training sessions before flying to Guayaquil, the venue chosen by Beccacece for the match.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.