Selection: the surprise that will be the starter vs. Guatemala and bid to be in the Copa América :: Olé

After consecration in the World Cup, It gives the feeling that the Argentine National Team could come from memory. Or, at least, between 20 and 21 of the 26 names that will be chosen to be in the Copa América in the United States. This Friday night there will be a lot of movement in this regard: after the Albiceleste’s friendly against Guatemala, Lionel Scaloni is expected to reveal the final roster for the continental event. AND surprises, like Thiago Almada in Qatar, could say present.

One of the candidates to enter this select group is Valentín Carboni. The 19-year-old hitter, from his last season at Monza, but who belongs to Inter, had an outstanding performance in the Under 20 World Cup and even had the opportunity to make his debut in the Major League, in March, against Costa Rica. In training, the young man proved to be up to the task and earned the good regard of Scaloni, Roberto Ayala, Pablo Aimar and Walter Samuel.

“Both he and (Alejandro) Garnacho make us very excited. It’s reality. “We have a lot of hope for the future with them.”, Scaloni had stated, in the press conference after Costa Rica. “We cannot burden them with so many expectations right now. They understand the pace at which the game is played, sometimes a break is good,” said the coach, always prioritizing gradual development.

How could Carboni get on the Copa América list? The truth is that there are few places for surprises, but Scaloni has shown that he has never had a problem calling out those who are not well, from a physical or football perspective. Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María, immovable. Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, the center forwards. Nico González is the natural replacement for Fideo, while Garnacho is the disruptive factor.

Therefore, The remaining place among the forwards will be disputed by Ángel Correa and Carboni. And as the Atlético de Madrid man had minutes against Ecuador, this Friday the Monza player will have the opportunity. The National Team’s forward line in Washington would be made up of Messi and Lautaro, and the young striker will be in the line of midfielders along with Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Giovani Lo Celso.

During his last season, at Monza, Carboni played 32 games, scoring two goals and giving four assists., earning a place as a key piece for his team. However, Inter would not have plans to keep him within the Nerazzurri squad, so they would be looking for suitors.

And he doesn’t lack them… Raffaele Palladino, who directed him at Monza, intends him for the Fiorentina. Another interested institution is Atalanta, recent Europa League champion. In addition, several Premier League teams are interested. How much money is it valued at? 30,000,000 euros.

“I imagine that Leo (Messi) will play, I don’t know how many minutes, but people will be able to see him, which is the most important thing. He is going to play for a while,” the Scaloneta coach had anticipated, before facing La Tri. The truth is The DT sought to dose the efforts of Leo, who arrives at the Copa América with a large flow of matches between Major League Soccer and the Champions Cup. That is why he entered the 11’ST at Soldier Field in Chicago. However, against Guatemala, he will go from the start.

In addition to the inclusion of 10, there were further modifications within 11. Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Otamendi, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández entered the starting team, in the places of Gonzalo Montiel, Cuti Romero, Leandro Paredes and Ángel Di María. These changes would represent the return of the starting right back for CT, the key central defender during the process and the two young midfielders who gave freshness to the team during the World Cup and throughout 2023.

This is how the 11 of the National Team was defined to face Guatemala: Dibu Martínez, Otamendi, Lisandro, González; Carboni, Mac Allister, Enzo and Lo Celso; Messi and Lautaro.

Once the game in Maryland ends, attention will focus on two things: how Messi will finish the game and the imminent publication of the list of 26. Taking into account the 90′ ​​against Ecuador and the probable 11 against Guatemala, the only players from the preliminary list who would not yet participate in the tour are Leonardo Balerdi, Valentín Barco, Guido Rodríguez, Valentín Carboni and Alejandro Garnacho, as well as Franco Armani and Gerónimo Rulli. They are precisely the ones who bid for the last tickets. Will Scaloni give them the opportunity?