The Argentina team, already classified and in the isolated leadership of Group J of the World Cup, ends the group stage against Jordan with a modified team. Coach Lionel Scaloni defined a series of strategic changes, focusing on the physical recovery of key athletes and the opportunity for players looking for more minutes. Full-backs Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolás Tagliafico are back on the field after recovering from injuries.
On the defensive line, a certain change is the non-participation of Cristian Romero. The defender received a blow to his right knee and will be spared, a precaution aimed at avoiding more serious problems, as he had already treated the same area. With this, Nicolás Otamendi, who had been starting on the bench, will start playing as a starter.
After the triumph against Austria, commander Scaloni highlighted that the early classification did not change the team’s approach. “The confirmed place does not change our vision; all athletes would enter the field with the purpose of winning both games. At this point, we will carry out a thorough assessment. The plan is to offer playing time to the majority of players who are fit, as long as the dynamics of the match allow this decision”, said the coach.
Another name that could be spared in the next match is goalkeeper Dibu Martínez. Although he played against Algeria and Austria, the Aston Villa athlete was recovering from a fracture in the ring finger on his right hand, which occurred in May, before the Europa League final. For the last game of the phase, Juan Musso should start as a starter, providing an important rest for the team’s main goalkeeper.
Gonzalo Montiel once again becomes an alternative for the full-back position, after recovering from a muscle strain that kept him out of the match against Austria. Similarly, Nicolás Tagliafico is available again, after overcoming a left calf injury. The prediction is that both will use the confrontation to regain their game rhythm, although they are not expected to remain on the field for the entire regulation time, according to information from Argentine outlet TYC Sports.
Marco Senesi, who was called to fill Leonardo Balerdi’s place, appears as one of the candidates to debut in the World Cup, eventually replacing Lisandro Martínez. The list of athletes who were on the bench in previous duels and can now earn a chance among the starters includes names such as Giuliano Simeone, Valentín Barco, Flaco López, Exequiel Palacios, Leandro Paredes, Nicolás Paz and Julián Álvarez.
Lionel Scaloni’s scheme of giving some starters a break goes beyond simply managing fatigue. This approach is essential to prepare the squad for the knockout stages of the championship, improving physical condition and tactical alternatives at a decisive point in the competition. As first place in Group J, Argentina will face second place in Group H, a group that includes Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. Currently, Uruguay is in this position, but the team still has a final and decisive clash against Spain, which could change the future opponent.
The Argentine national team’s games in the group stage of the World Cup
- First match: Argentina beat Algeria 3-0, on June 16, in Kansas City
- Second clash: Argentina beat Austria 2-0, on June 22, in Dallas
- Last game: Jordan faces Argentina, on June 27, at 11pm, in Dallas