In the last training session prior to the crucial match against Argentina, the technical director of the Chilean team, Ricardo Gareca, made his intentions clear by making significant adjustments—almost at the last minute—to the starting lineup.
Rodrigo Echeverriamidfielder for the Argentine Huracán, stands as one of the main novelties by occupying Marcelino Núñez’s position in the holding midfielder zone.
This decision, which Gareca ratified ahead of the clash against the current world champion, aims to strengthen the midfield after a debut that left some doubts. Echeverría, known for his versatility and training in the youth ranks of the University of Chile, thus takes on the challenge of replacing one of the most questioned players after the first day.
On the other hand, the Argentine strategist maintained confidence in the rest of the starting eleven that began participation in the tournament, highlighting the confirmation of Darío Osorio in creative tasks, taking advantage of the absence due to injury of Diego Valdés. The defense, led by Igor Lichnovsky of América from Mexico and Paulo Díaz of River Plate, also remains intact after overcoming any physical inconvenience.
In this way, the Chilean lineup for the crucial match against Argentina will be made up of Claudio Bravo in goal; Mauricio Isla, Igor Lichnovsky, Paulo Díaz and Gabriel Suazo on the defensive line; Erick Pulgar and Rodrigo Echeverría in containment; Víctor Dávila, Alexis Sánchez and Darío Osorio in the creative game; and Eduardo Vargas as a reference in the attack.
The match will be refereed by the Uruguayan Andrés Matonte, accompanied by Nicolás Tarán and Carlos Barreiro as assistants, while Gustavo Tejera will be the fourth referee.
With these decisions, Gareca and his technical team seek to consolidate a tactical proposal that allows Chile to face with solidity and determination the challenge against one of the powers of world football, in a duel that promises to be decisive in its aspirations in the continental tournament.
Argentina faces Chile remembering Menotti and the first albiceleste star
The Argentine team faces its second match of the Copa América this Tuesday against the Chilean team, with the memory of the 46 years since the Albiceleste won its first World Cup led by the recently deceased coach César Luis Menotti, in the edition of 1978 that was held precisely in the South American country.
The death of Menotti on May 5 was a hard blow for Argentine football, since ‘Flaco’ was the one who restored the hope to a country that had never lifted the golden cup and had not played for more than nineteen years. metal, specifically, since the 1959 Copa América.
Under that premise, and with the hope that the team led by the historic Lionel Messi will revalidate this year the title won in the Brazil 2021 edition, social networks were filled with heartfelt tributes to the first of the World Cup titles that placed Argentina in the Olympus of international football.
“46 years after the first star. In 1978, the team led by César Luis Menotti won the World Cup after defeating the Netherlands 3-1,” commented the official Albiceleste account along with a photo of Menotti through his profile on X.
Another person who wanted to show his pride in the anniversary was the president of Argentina, Javier Milei.
“Very happy 46 years since the conquest of the first soccer World Cup,” declared the libertarian in a publication through his Instagram account.
A double from the legendary striker Mario Alberto Kempes and one more goal from striker Daniel Bertoni made an entire country vibrate, which from that moment on would garner three America’s Cups and two World Cups for its record.
Precisely, Chile would be the scene of the next continental title for the ‘Albiceleste’ in 1991, after defeating the host with a team made up of big names such as Gabriel Batistuta and Diego Pablo Simeone.
La ‘Roja’ would end up taking revenge by defeating its rival in the 2015 championship, held again in Andean lands, and in 2016; whose final took place at the Metlife Stadium in New York City, which tonight will once again host a meeting of these southern teams, for the group stage of the Copa América.
The memory of Menotti and that feat, along with the thirst for revenge for the consecutive continental finals, will be in the minds of all the Argentines who tonight will encourage the team that seeks to seal its ticket to the quarterfinals of the continental team tournament. of 2024.
