With the 2024 Copa America drawing nearer, both Argentina and Ecuador are already in the US to prepare for the tournament. Today, La Albiceleste and La Tri face off in an international friendly at Soldier Field in Chicago. Lionel Messi, in the end, will not start.
Argentina will be looking to defend their crown this year, having lifted the last Copa America played in Brazil three years ago. Besides, they have a reputation to uphold as they’re the reigning world champions as well.
But it will be interesting to see what Ecuador have in store for this year too, as the country has never lifted the Copa America so far. But before they get into this competition, they’ll use this friendly as a measuring stick for their aspirations.
Argentina’s lineup
Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni will give playing time to those who haven’t played that much with their clubs recently. Julian Alvarez and Lisandro Martinez, for instance, will be starters.
Lionel Messi, on the other hand, will start on the bench. In his pre-match press conference, Scaloni said the Inter Miami star will play but suggested it may not be for the full 90 minutes. Finally, Messi will not be there from the start, but he could enter in the second half
Argentina’s lineup: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuña; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso; Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria.
Ecuador’s lineup
Felix Sanchez Bas is creating a lot of expectations in Ecuador, who hope the new manager to replicate the success achieved by Gustavo Alfaro en route to Qatar 2022. This will only be a friendly, but it could be very telling for La Tri.
Ecuador’s starting XI: Hernan Galíndez; Felix Torres, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Angelo Preciado; Moises Caicedo, Julio Ortiz, Kendry Paez; Alan Franco, Alan Minda, Jeremy Sarmiento.