Having won two out of two at this summer’s Copa América, the defending champions are already through to the quarter-finals, so Lionel Scaloni is expected to heavily rotate for their final group game, making the Argentina predicted lineup tougher to call ahead of la Albiceleste’s Saturday night clash with Peru in Miami Gardens.
Argentina Predicted Lineup Vs Peru
How Argentina Have Lined up Recently
Scaloni has already used 18 different players at this tournament across two games, making three changes to his lineup for Tuesday night’s meeting with Chile at MetLife Stadium, but utilising his full complement of five substitutes both times.
Only six outfield squad members are yet to see a minute at this competition, they are: Lucas Martínez Quarta, Germán Pezzella, Exequiel Palacios, Guido Rodríguez, Valentín Carboni and Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho.
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Considering the world champions are already through to the quarter-finals, all but guaranteed to finish top, this sextet of squad players will be hoping to see some action this time.
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La Albiceleste have deployed a fairly rigid 4-4-2 in both Copa América matches so far, this is designed to get the best out of Lionel Messi, giving the captain a strike partner, whilst also providing a solid midfield-based behind.
Argentina’s Recent Form and Tactics
As alluded to, Argentina’s defence of Copa América could hardly have gone any better to date, winning both matches without so much as conceding a goal.
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First, la Albiceleste beat Canada 2-0 on opening night, with Julián Álvarez striking soon after half time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, before Lautaro Martínez secured the points two minutes from time.
Then, on Tuesday night in New Jersey, the holders were really made to work hard for their victory over Chile, with Lautaro striking late again, only this time it was a match-winner, lashing home after a corner had not been cleared, snatching a 1-0 victory at MetLife Stadium.
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As a result, Scaloni’s side will feature in the last eight, all but guaranteed to finish first, thereby travelling west to Houston for a quarter-final clash with either Ecuador or Mexico next Thursday on 4 July.
This team likes to dominate the ball, ending Tuesday night with 62% possession, just shy of their 67.27% possession average across their previous 15 fixtures since the World Cup Final, a trend we fully expect to continue at Hard Rock Stadium.
Argentina Injuries to Consider
Argentina are managing Enzo Fernández’s minutes right now, considering his most recent appearance for Chelsea came during their 5-0 drubbing at Arsenal on April 23 following groin surgery.
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Fernandez featured sporadically during the pre-tournament friendlies, before not seeing any minutes in the Copa América opener, but he did start in East Rutherford in mid-week, being replaced by Giovani Lo Celso just after the hour mark.
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The headline news however, as reported by Lizzy Becherano in ESPN, Messi will be rested, wrapping him in proverbial cotton wool ahead of the knockout stages; he has been dealing with injury issues throughout 2024, sitting out both international friendlies in March, while only featuring in 15 of Inter Miami’s 22 matches he was available for.
Three summers ago, having already guaranteed first place in their group, Scaloni made wholesale changes for their 4-1 win over Bolivia, expected to do similar in Florida.
Argentina Predicted Lineup
GK: Franco Armani
RB: Gonzalo Montiel
CB: Nicolás Otamendi
CB: Lucas Martínez Quarta
LB: Nicolás Tagliafico
CM: Exequiel Palacios
CM: Giovani Lo Celso
RM: Alejandro Garnacho
LM: Nicolás González
ST: Julián Álvarez
ST: Lautaro Martínez
