Argentina are
raring to end their international trophy drought in the 2021 edition of the
Copa America. Also known as ‘La Albiceleste’, Argentina have lifted the title
14 times in their history, but have failed to add to that collection since
their last win, in 1993. And after two consecutive Copa America final losses in 2015 and 2016, Argentina will be hoping it is third time lucky for them this summer.
The world number eight side finished third in 2019. Argentina was set to host the Copa America 2021, but was stripped of that privilege due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
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Argentina have always been blessed with the best of attackers on this planet and enter Copa America 2021 with another group of world-class forwards.
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Naturally, all
eyes are on their skipper and one of the world’s greatest players, Lionel Messi.
The 33-year-old is his country’s highest-ever goal scorer with 72. Having won
everything with Barcelona, Messi is now
desperate to add a first senior trophy in national colours to his cabinet.
Sergio Aguero combines very
well with his ‘good friend’ Messi and should be raring to go in the Copa America
as well. Argentina will be riding on his smart runs, his positioning and his
exceptional finishing abilities to mount a challenge for the title. He can score goals, provide assists, can help in the buildup, and manages to score quite a few with his head despite not being the tallest player on the pitch.
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Angel di Maria has
consistently been a manager’s and fan favourite. He always remains fully
committed to the collective and has the ability to bamboozle defenders to create dangerous openings.
They also have the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Angel Correa, Papu Gomes to choose from to create and score goals.
However, Argentina are a very top-heavy side with not many players of great repute in the rest of the team sheet. Nicolás Otamendi, Germán Pezzella will likely marshall the defence, with Marcos Acuna and Nicolas Tagliafico adept in the full-back positions.
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Leandro Parades has become a regular starter as Paris Saint-Germain’s midfield enforcer, with Rodrigo de Paul coming on the back of an impressive season with Udinese.
Emiliano Martinez, who kept 15 Premier League clean sheets for Aston Villa, will be the first-choice shot-stopper.
Argentina will begin their campaign on Monday, June 14, against Chile – who beat them in both the finals in 2015 and 2016.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano
Martínez, Juan Musso, Agustín Marchesín, Franco Armani
Defenders: Cristian
Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Nicolás Otamendi, Germán
Pezzella, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Acuña, Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina
Midfielders: Guido
Rodríguez, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo de Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel
Palacios, Nicolás Domínguez
Attackers: Nicolás
González, Lionel Messi, Á. Di María, Julián Álvarez, Ángel Correa, Joaquín
Correa, Papu Gómez, Lautaro Martínez, Sergio Agüero
Argentina’s fixtures:
Argentina vs Chile (June
15, 2:30 am IST)
Argentina vs Uruguay (June
19, 5:30 am IST)
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Argentina vs Paraguay (June
22, 5:30 am IST)
Bolivia vs Argentina (June
29, 5:30 am IST)
