Argentina Team: Messi Likely to Start and Scaloni to Make Four or Five Changes | Lineup Variations Ahead of Tuesday’s Match Against Colombia

After the victory against Chile and a complete rest on Friday, the Argentine National Team resumed training this Saturday at the Lionel Andrés Messi complex of the AFA in Ezeiza. At the beginning of preparations for the match on Tuesday at 21:00 against Colombia at the Monumental stadium, and according to the official information provided by the governing body of football, the entire squad performed speed and coordination exercises with the ball, after which the starters who played against Chile engaged in recovery work in the gym.

Meanwhile, the rest of the players had a football practice lasting forty minutes. Participants included, by decision of the coach Lionel Scaloni, Ian Subiabre (River), Maher Carrizo (Vélez), and Valentino Acuña (Newell’s), all members of the Under-20 National Team that will participate in the World Cup in Chile.

Although Nicolás Tagliafico will not be available on Tuesday against the Colombians due to receiving his second yellow card, it is very likely that Lionel Messi will start again, although he may not complete the full match, and that Nicolás Otamendi, Leandro Paredes, and Enzo Fernández will return to the team after serving their suspension for accumulating yellow cards. Nicolás González, who was sent off against Uruguay and was not present against Chile, could also return. This means Scaloni could introduce four or more changes compared to the starting team that won in Chile.

If this is the case, likely to make way will be Leonardo Balerdi, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolás Paz, and perhaps Thiago Almada. However, it all depends on the system the coach chooses. If he decides to switch from the 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 used in Santiago to a 4-3-3, Almada and Messi could play together or even include Lautaro Martínez in the attack, provided the Inter forward and captain improves his fitness. On Thursday, he was on the bench but had coordinated with the coaching staff to only play if absolutely necessary.

The squad will train behind closed doors this Sunday morning, and during this practice, it may become clear who will play against Colombia. Meanwhile, several players are at risk of receiving another yellow card and must be cautious to avoid missing the penultimate qualifying match against Ecuador in Quito, which will be played in September. These players include Julián Álvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martínez, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, and Giovani Lo Celso.