On the one hand, the world champions.
On the other hand, new names of talented youth appear and begin to ask for advice.
In the middle,
Lionel Scaloni
and "
the nice problem" of putting together the squad list for the Copa América
.
Only 23 places for several names that are beginning to compete with each other.
This is how
for the DT it is time to raise the bar and lower a message for all his managers
, warning that no one has their place assured, with the exception of his two greatest weaknesses.
"
Guarantee, none of those who have come here, only those who did not come and you already know
(because of Lionel Messi).
The rest, pick and shovel
.
Well, we are also going to put Fideo in
, he is also guaranteed," said Scaloni. , short at the bottom, in the press conference after the victory against Costa Rica.
It is inevitable that in the attempt to retain the continental title some names will be left out of the call
.
From the outset, there will be three less world champions.
The fact is that
26 players traveled to the World Cup, now the list allows a maximum of 23
.
The chances of possible changes occur in all lines, from goalkeepers to forwards.
In this call, the names of
Walter Benítez, Alejandro Garnacho, Valentín Carboni, Facundo Buonanotte, Valentín Barco and Nicolás Valentini
were those that resonated with strength and made a place for themselves thanks to the absence of several traditionalists.
Everything seems to indicate that the main cases that have a chance of winning a place for the Copa América, to be held in the United States, come from those youth players.
Meanwhile, a large part of the world champion team remains firmly at a good level.
The headache for the coaching staff is inexcusable.
🗣️Scaloni and the Copa América list: "OF THOSE WHO ARE HERE, NONE HAS THE POSITION GUARANTEED, ONLY THE ONE WHO DIDN'T COME AND ALREADY KNOW IT. THE REST, PICK AND SHOVEL... WELL, WE'RE GOING TO ALSO GET THE NOODLE METER, YOU HAVE IT GUARANTEED".
pic.twitter.com/9ErgyzLNqw
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) March 27, 2024
But Scaloni does not go beyond neutrality when talking about the performance of the kids either.
"
They are guys who can contribute to us and we will see in the future if they will be with us
. But I am happy, it is not easy to play with this shirt or with these rivals who make it difficult for you.
“We are fine,” he explained.
"
In the world of football nothing is known
," she added.
He also delved into the excess of variants available to him in the midfield, using this sector of the field as an excuse to lower his message again.
"The team always had many good midfielders. Exequiel (Palacios) did not come on this tour, Guido (Rodríguez) is also out, Thiago (Almada) is in the Under 23.
We are well covered and, if someone's performance drops, "There is another one to play
.
Let no one give up because the one who is best plays
," the coach warned again.
Likewise, it is not new that Scaloni chooses to use the players who are at the best level.
He already made it clear when in the days before the World Cup in Qatar he disaffected those who were not in optimal physical condition.
Now, it seems like he's back in the same game.
"Today there are 25 called here, 24 Lisandro left, and many others who did not come due to injury, so the quota is over, we would say.
Even so, some can enter because they have had a good end to the season. We have no problem
," he said. in the last days.
Scaloni, his coaching staff and a list in between: the protagonists of the months leading up to the Copa AméricaPhoto: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images via AFP.
The Copa América begins on June 20
, although the FIFA window will begin with two warm-up friendlies at the beginning of the month.
Therefore,
all signs seem to point to mid-May when the current dilemma of the world champion team will be revealed
.
Meanwhile, the protagonists will try to seduce the boss from their respective clubs.