Argentina to Rotate Against Jordan as Scaloni Tests Options and Manages Minutes

Argentina has already secured first place in its group and will face Cape Verde in the next round, but it still plays Jordan on the night between Saturday and Sunday in what is mostly a formality. Even so, coach Lionel Scaloni plans to give minutes to some of his key players, partly because the team wants to avoid arriving rusty to the round of 32, which is scheduled for July 3 at 11:00 p.m. Israel time.

The concern is especially about match sharpness after a long gap. If Argentina’s regular starters do not play at all, they could go 11 days without a competitive match. That is why some attacking players may get minutes off the bench, and Scaloni will also use the game to evaluate alternatives such as talented Nico Paz.

There has also been talk that Argentina could line up with two strikers, which would allow Lautaro Martinez to start. Scaloni said, “I think playing time will not hurt Messi or the rest of the team. If the other players run, maybe there will be minutes for two strikers. They played well together against Bolivia, and we drew conclusions from that.”

Lionel Messi himself has been managed carefully at Inter Miami as well, with rest after three matches in a short span and one substitution at 4-4 to protect him. Goalkeeper Dibu Martinez, from Aston Villa, has recovered from a minor hand injury. The expected Argentina lineup is Dibu Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Gio Simeone, Leonardo Paredes, Exequiel Palacios, Giovani Lo Celso; Nico Paz or Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez.