Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Ecuador could line up for Thursday’s Copa America clash with Argentina.
Felix Sanchez has depended heavily on continuity at the Copa America, which is unlikely to change ahead of their quarter-final clash with Argentina.
Record goalscorer Enner Valencia was the only newcomer to their starting 11 on matchday three, with the Internacional man returning from a red card suspension.
He has scored five times in three different Copa America tournaments, most recently in the 2019 edition, while netting 41 times for his country.
Expect him to be the lone striker up top on Thursday, with Kevin Rodriguez, who started in his place on matchday two, relegated to the bench.
In all three matches at this tournament, Sanchez has used an experienced back four consisting of Angelo Preciado, Felix Torres, Willian Pacho, and Piero Hincapie.
That group held Mexico off the scoresheet despite some tense moments in the latter stages of that clash, enabling goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez to collect his first clean sheet of the competition.
Moises Caicedo will be tasked with shutting down a dangerous and creative Argentine midfield, with the Chelsea man likely to be paired with Alan Franco as a holding midfielder.
Hincapie, Kendry Paez, Jeremy Sarmiento, and Alan Minda are the only Ecuador players to score in this competition, the first for the Cercle Brugge midfielder with the national team.
The most experienced player with the national team, Angel Mena (60 caps), made his first appearance at this tournament on matchday three.
Ecuador possible starting lineup: Dominguez; Preciado, Torres, Pacho, Hincapie; Franco, M. Caicedo; Yeboah, Paez, Sarmiento; Valencia
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