Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Argentina could line up for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier away in Venezuela.
Lionel Messi is set to make his first Argentina appearance since the Copa America final when the Albiceleste travel to Venezuela in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday.
An ankle injury sustained in that win over Colombia in the USA had kept Messi sidelined for just over two months, but the legendary attacker has been back in action for club side Inter Miami in recent weeks.
Messi has started four of the six Inter Miami games since making his comeback, scoring five goals, as they look big favourites to win the MLS Playoffs for the first time.
The return of Messi has been combined with some disappointing news for manager Lionel Scaloni though, as goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will serve a two-match suspension this month.
FIFA punished the Aston Villa goalkeeper for his antics before the game with Chile and after their defeat to Colombia last month, claiming he was guilty of “violating principles of fair play”.
Martinez’s overzealous celebration with the Copa America trophy before the game with Chile, and shoving a camera after the Colombia loss are what resulted in the sanctions.
Exequiel Palacios is back in the Argentina squad after only making his first start of the season at the weekend with Bayer Leverkusen, but Scaloni has been hit with multiple injury setbacks.
Paulo Dybala, who took over Messi’s number 10 shirt for last month’s fixtures, has been forced to withdraw, along with fellow Serie A attacker Nicolas Gonzalez.
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho is also out, and has been replaced by Leicester City loanee Facundo Buonanotte, while uncapped Julio Soler has replaced Marcos Acuna.
Underwhelming performances at West Ham United have seen Guido Rodriguez lose his place in the squad, while uncapped trio Giuliano Simeone, Matias Soule and Ezequiel Fernandez have also been left out.
After a strong start with Serie A new boys Como, Nico Paz has been handed a first call-up, and at the other end of the spectrum, veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi is set to win his 120th cap in this encounter.
Argentina possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Alvarez; La Martinez, Messi
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