By Alfredo Echenique Lugo
Mar 27, 2024, 1:34 PM EDT
In a little less than three months, the Argentine team will begin its defense of the title in the Copa América. This edition of the continental tournament will take place in the United States and will have the Albiceleste as the head of group A, which they share with Chile, Peru and Canada.
Prior to the start of the tournament, coach Lionel Scaloni continues adjusting pieces in the team and facing friendly matches to find the best starting eleven. Argentina recently played against El Salvador and Costa Rica in preparation.
And despite the fact that Argentina has just recently won the World Cup, the Albiceleste coach assured that everyone on the team has to earn their place. All except two players: Captain Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María.
“In the world of football you never know. Guarantee a place in the Copa América to none of those who are here. Only the one who didn’t come (Messi), the rest pick and shovel. Well, ‘El Fideo’ too. He also has it guaranteed,” Scaloni commented at a press conference after the match against Costa Rica.
Scaloni also commented on how much this type of friendlies helps them shortly before the debut in the Copa América, since they must make the most of each FIFA date.
“It has served us a lot. I have seen a very mature team, because we found ourselves with difficulty, we found ourselves with the game down and in the second half the team played 20 or 25 very good minutes. Happy about that, because we are going to find this type of matches and it works for us,” analyzed the Argentine strategist.
Finally, he once again highlighted the great talent that the Albiceleste team has in its names and a reminder to the players that they have to continue working to not lose their place on the team.
“We have a lot of talent, especially in the midfield like Exequiel (Palacios), there is Guido (Rodriguez) outside. Thiago (Almada) is with the U-23. We are pretty well covered, if one of us loses performance, the other is there to play. Let no one relax, because the one we think is best is playing,” Scaloni concluded.
Keep reading:
· “I know when I will no longer be able to perform”: Lionel Messi is self-critical about his possible retirement
· Argentine authorities investigate alleged death threats against soccer player Ángel Di María
· Dani Alves paid bail of more than a million dollars and will be released from Brians 2 prison in Barcelona