Messi Named in the Argentina squad to face Brazil at MCG

Argentina still don’t have a coach, but a squad has been named to go to Australia. La Albiceleste are gonna face Brazil on June 9th at the MCG.

Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain of Juventus, all have been named in the squad. Sergio Aguero will be missing the game as Mauro Icardi earns a recall in his place.

Jorge Sampaoli though still in charge of Sevilla, should be named the coach of Argentina. La Liga Santander season 2016/17 is coming to an end, so Sampaoli should do the formalities of signing up with La Albiceleste soon.

As there is a two week period of notice to call up foreign based players, Argentina’s time had come to announce their squad.

Big changes have been made to the squad that have been struggling in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers under Edgardo Bauza. So Sampaoli have named his squad, without his signature albiet his stamp on it.

Guys like Ezequiel Lavezzi have also been left out. Javier Mascherano have been called as one of the other four defenders. Some home based players will also be added to the list of 20 players named on Friday.

Mascherano will play at the back rather than his original position of central midfield. Lyon defender Emmanuel Mammana’s call is especially interesting.

Argentina at the back have been less stronger recently. West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini, Roma’s Leandro Parades & Tijuana’s Guido Rodriguez have been called for.

At forward, Messi will link up with Higuain & Di Maria, with controversial Icardi also being their.

Newcomers include, Joaquin Correa of Sevilla, who has impressed under Sampaoli at Sevilla. Another fine newcomer included is Alejandro Gomez of Atalanta.

Argentina have been less effective in the WCQ’s despite having some serious talent. The guys like Dybala should make Argentina more dangerous.

La Albiceleste, despite reaching three finals recently of major tournaments, have seldom looked a solid team.

Argentina have been depending on Messi all too much now, which is shown in their World Cup Qualification games. Messi has played six games of which Argentina have won five. While he has been forced to miss eight games, of which Argentina have won just one.

So, now Sampaoli has a task of creating a good enough team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia next year. Then should challenge to win the world cup.

Sampaoli, typically likes to press high to stangle the opponents in their half & then send plenty of players forward with quick passing.

Messi should fit well with these tactics as previously this had been a difference. Although pressing high leaves the defence vulnerable, and sides like Brazil could be dangerous on counters.

So Sampaoli era should be interesting to watch, which begins on June 9th!

Argentina squad:

Goalkeepers- Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad)

Defenders- Javier Mascherano (FC Barcelona), Emmanuel Mammana (Lyon), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City)

Midfielders- Eduardo Salvio (SL Benfica), Lucas Rodrigo Biglia (Lazio), Ever Banega (Inter Milan), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham United), Leandro Parades (Roma), Guido Rodriguez (Tijuana)

Attackers- Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus), Joaquin Correa (Sevilla), Alejandro Gomez (Atalanta), Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan), Angel Di Maria (PSG), Paulo Dybala (Juventus)