With Lionel Messi in charge, the Argentine team will play against Venezuela and will have a farewell before its people: time, TV and formations

The Argentine team will close its home performances in the South American Qualifiers heading to the Qatar World Cup: it will host Venezuela by José Néstor Pekerman, no longer able to qualify, from 20.30 in the Bombonera in a duel corresponding to the 17th date of the qualifying competition.

“I say it's the last match because with the schedule we have it's officially the last one in Argentina. That our idea is to play before we leave is very clear. But I have to say that it is officially the last game we have on a matter of calendar. If we want to take advantage of the FIFA Date, the few that exist, to play with rivals will surely be outside the country. We will try, as people always know, that it is a pleasure for us to play here. But today I think it is so,” acknowledged coach Lionel Scaloni, accepting that this event could be the last one on local soil before traveling to the World Cup.

Among the tracks that the coach sowed at his last press conference, it was clear that Lionel Messi is no longer affected by the flu situation that separated him from the last Paris Saint-Germain presentation. “Leo is fine, he trained normally after the process that he has had the flu. It is available to play,” he warned. He also confirmed that Franco Armani will replace Dibu Martínez, although he opened the door for the three clubs to be occupied by another goalkeeper on the next date.

Another of the questions sown is that of Angel Di María, who also ended his recent stay at PSG with an injury and could now add minutes with the albiceleste: “He showed good signs of being in good condition to be able to be in the match. We will make the decision whether it will be from the start or not, but it will be available.” The question that will float in the air is about Lautaro Martinez's replacement in the attack with Joaquín Correa and Julián Álvarez as the main contenders for the role of main attacker.

El Toro is one of the many mandatory casualties of the DT, since he tested positive for COVID-19 before traveling to the country. Dibu Martínez, Giovani Lo Celso, Cuti Romero, Emiliano Buendia (the four suspended with two dates after what happened in the classic with Brazil), Marcos Acuña and Papu Gómez, both injured, will not be available either.

In relation to the players who can go to the bench, the expectation is focused on the chance that one of the different juveniles he cited will appear. “These guys, no matter how much they play with the National Team, they are not blocked. There is no blocking of any sense here. We want them to train with the U20, with the highest, and to the next call, they will follow. But until they are of an age, they cannot be blocked,” the DT clarified about the chance to make them play to prevent another country from citing them. In this context, the surnames of Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) appear, Luka Romero (Lazio), Franco and Valentín Carboni (Inter), Tiago Geralnik (Villarreal) and Nicolás Paz (Real Madrid)

The next day of the Argentine team will be with a trip to Guayaquil to face Ecuador on the 18th date of the qualifiers, with the top four places in the standings defined: Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay will go directly to the World Cup. Peru, Colombia and Chile will bid for the space of the repechage.

However, the albiceleste team will still lack a presentation in the Qualifiers since it has pending the classic with Brazil as a visitor, considering that the September duel was suspended a few minutes later by the local health authorities. The problem will be that both coaches declared that they are uncomfortable playing that match already out of the calendar and with everything defined.

While waiting for the final rescheduling of this classic, the focus will be on the “finalissima” against Italy that will take place on Wednesday 1st of June, starting at 16.45 (Argentine time), at Wembley Stadium. In that context, this presentation against Venezuela will be Argentina's last official in the country before the November World Cup and the question is still open for a friendly that will serve as the usual farewell to these lands. “I think the situation doesn't affect him (the whistles), every time he comes here he shows it. Tomorrow he has the opportunity in his country with his people, and if that is how everything goes, it will surely be the last game we can play here, he can say goodbye to Argentina in the best way hoping that the future will be even better”, Lionel Scaloni opened up about this clash in relation to a possible last game also for Messi in these lands before the contest in Qatar.

PROBABLE FORMATIONS

Argentina: Franco Armani; Nahuel Molina, German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister or Exequiel Palacios; Lionel Messi, Joaquín Correa or Julian Alvarez and Nicolás Gonzalez. DT: Lionel Scaloni.

Venezuela: Wuilker Faríñez; Ronald Hernandez, Nahuel Ferraresi, John Chancellor, Miguel Navarro; Jose Martinez, Yangel Herrera; Darwin Machis, Romulo Otero, Jefferson Savarino; Solomon Rondon. DT: Jose Pekerman.

Stadium: Bombonera (City of Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Time: 20.30 (Argentina)/19.30 (Venezuela)

Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru)

Television: TyC Sports and Public TV

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