Lionel Scaloni
confirmed that he will make several changes to the starting team of the
Argentine National Team
for this Tuesday's match against
Costa Rica
, which will be played in Los Angeles starting at 11:45 p.m. (Argentine time).
The coach assured that
Angel Di María
will go from the start and that he would like to give goalkeeper
Walter Benítez
a chance .
Furthermore, laughing, he said that it is a possibility that
Alejandro Garnacho
will also be there from the start.
In the press conference he held prior to the match with the Ticos, the second of the FIFA date after the 3-0 victory against El Salvador on Friday, Scaloni did not confirm the starting team but assured: “The idea is to make several changes, but I still haven't given the team to the players.”
Regarding the goalkeeper, he stated: “I didn't decide if he would save from the entrance or by entering later.”
With these clues, Argentina would form with Dibu Martínez or Walter Benitez;
Nahuel Molina, Cuti Romero or Pezzella, Nicolás Otamendi and Nicolás Tagliafico;
Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister;
Angel Di María, Julián Alvarez and Alejandro Garnacho.
“I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WALTER BENÍTEZ” 🧤🇦🇷
🗣 Lionel Scaloni commented on the possible starting position tomorrow against Costa Rica for the current PSV goalkeeper.
🎙 #MásThanFútbol pic.twitter.com/HYA4EQMLAS
— DSPORTS (@DSports) March 25, 2024
Regarding Fideo Di María, who in the early hours of this Monday received an intimidating message in the country where he usually stays when he returns to the country, Scaloni assured: “
Di María will be the starter tomorrow
.
He is calm, I saw him well and he has our full support, we were chatting a little about everything with him."
One of the first questions they asked him was about what he liked least in these six years and the coach responded: “Leaving out players from a squad list for a Copa América or World Cup and who were out for a long time.
We have to make decisions, that's what we're here for." Then, he said what he looks for in these games and with the variations. “We always look at the collective, it's obvious, beyond the individual conditions of each one, we look at the connection. How they get along with their “My partner, how do you understand it in training, in games, which are friendly but important”
"IT IS A POSSIBILITY THAT GARNACHO PLAYS AS A START"⚡✅
🗣 Lionel Scaloni left open the chance for the Manchester United player to enter the starting XI against Costa Rica.
🎙 #MásThanFútbol pic.twitter.com/gUQmj4Oxd6
— DSPORTS (@DSports) March 25, 2024
Regarding the rival and the team's commitment, Scaloni was forceful: “We faced it with a lot of professionalism.
You have to play the games to the maximum possible and regardless of the opponent, you have to play it that way.
From there, Costa Rica is a good team, it has a World Cup tradition, it has interesting players and it has just won the last game with renewed spirit because they qualified for the Copa América.”
As the next rival has the Argentine
Gustavo Alfaro as coach and
Nelson Vivas
as sports director
, several questions from the Costa Rican journalists revolved around them.
“He is a coach who has done very well where he has been, he has always gotten results with his teams.
With Ecuador he did a very good job, setting the bar very high with a group of very young players that he has given the opportunity to play.
With time and with the good players he has, the football culture will surely give results.
That is what any coach wishes and I wish him and Costa Rica.
And regarding Vivas's contribution, he added: "First, I think that the passion that the Argentine has for football, I think he transmits it very well to his team, regardless of the country, and that is important to highlight."
Regarding the end, colleague Diego Monroig from ESPN asked him about the Copa América list, if they are all there or if someone can join: “In the end we are open to anything.
If new players come out and have to get on the list, we will do it.
Now there are 25 called up and as many due to injury.
So the quota is over but whoever is having a good season will be there."