Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Argentina could line up for Thursday’s Copa America clash with Ecuador.
Lionel Messi‘s health will be the main talking point as Argentina prepare to face Ecuador in the Copa America quarter-finals on Thursday.
He missed their final group fixture against Peru with a minor hamstring issue but has participated in full practices this week, and assistant coach Walter Samuel has said, “The situation is getting better.”
With passage into the last eight assured, Lionel Scaloni gave Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Julian Alvarez the night off against Peru, all of whom should be back in the starting 11 for this match.
Valentin Carboni and Alejandro Garnacho each made their first appearances at this tournament against Peru this past weekend and are both likely to be on the bench to begin this quarter-final.
Angel Di Maria reclaimed his place in the starting 11 on matchday three, while Nicolas Otamendi saw the field for the first time in this competition.
If he features on Thursday, he will equal Roberto Ayala for the fifth-most caps with the national team, with the Benfica defender currently at 114.
From matchday two to three, Nicolas Tagliafico was the only Argentine defender to maintain his place in the opening lineup, and Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez should rejoin him in a back four in this upcoming encounter.
Enzo Fernandez came on as a substitute after beginning the match against Chile, replacing Giovani Lo Celso in the second half on Saturday.
Lautaro Martinez is making a strong case to remain in the starting 11, with the Inter Milan striker netting a brace against Peru and leading this competition with four goals so far.
Emiliano Martinez played every minute of the group stage between the sticks and has not conceded at the Copa America since the 2021 semi-finals against Colombia.
Argentina possible starting lineup: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Di Maria, De Paul, Mac Allister; Messi, La. Martinez, Alvarez
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