Atlanta. Messi and his world champion Argentina start this Thursday the protection of the Copa América title they received three years in the past in Brazil. Canada, one of many hosts of the 2026 World Cup, would be the thermometer that may measure the Albiceleste’s favoritism within the debut in Atlanta.
Argentina arrives on the Copa América in the US backed by an undefeated 20 video games with out defeats, since that shock towards Saudi Arabia in Qatar 2022.
“I inform folks the identical factor as at all times, that we’re going to play, to present our greatest, that we’re desperate to proceed making an attempt and proceed reaching issues,” mentioned an enthusiastic Messi, who at 36 years previous will compete in his seventh Copa América, maybe the final of his incredible profession.
“It is going to be increasingly more troublesome, as a result of the video games are going to be more durable, harder. The rivals make it increasingly more troublesome, however we’re going to strive once more,” mentioned the Albiceleste captain.
For Messi, the Copa América 2024 has a particular seasoning: as quickly because the ball rolls on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, on Thursday beginning at 8:00 p.m. native time (00:00 GMT on Friday), he’ll turn into the footballer with probably the most presences within the historical past of the event, reaching 35 video games.
Coach Lionel Scaloni has the world champion base in the US in 2022, however he has three doubts concerning the degree of aggressive parity to complete designing the beginning eleven towards the canucks.
The fights happen within the center sector, the place Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández battle for the one assured unnamed place in a line of three midfielders. Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul are the 2 mounted midfielders in Scaloni’s scheme.
Within the assault led by Messi, the competitors revolves between Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez within the heart ahead place, and Nicolás González or Ángel Di María to occupy one of many wings.
Canada, unknown and absolute newcomer
Historic debutant within the Copa América, Canada entered the 2024 United States version by the again door by beating Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in a single match within the Concacaf playoff.
Los canucks They participated within the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, accumulating defeats towards Belgium (1-0), Croatia (4-1) and Morocco (2-1) within the first part. Three setbacks that added to a different equal quantity once they made their World Cup debut in distant Mexico 1986.
The American Jesse Marsch, 50, has been the Canadian coach since mid-Might and has as his crew’s banner the versatile left again Alphonso Davies (23 years previous), a Bayern Munich determine and considered one of Actual Madrid’s targets.
“Dealing with the world champion is a privilege for any crew. We’re ready and ready for absolute excellence from Argentina,” Marsch mentioned at a press convention on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“We’re going to play towards a crew with a whole lot of high quality, a whole lot of group. We’ve got ready nicely for this match and our mentality is robust (…) Enjoying towards the world champions is a motivation for us,” he added.
One of the best of the Canadians is within the assault, with males with acknowledged worldwide expertise resembling Jonathan David (Lille), Tajon Buchanan (Inter Milan) and Cyle Larin (Mallorca).
Los canucks They confirmed two faces of their solely preparation matches for the Copa América initially of the month: a powerful 4-0 defeat towards the Netherlands and a creditable 0-0 towards France.
Possible lineups
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez – Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico – Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister or Enzo Fernández – Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez or Julián Álvarez, Ángel Di María or Nicolás González. DT: Lionel Scaloni.
Canadá: Maxime Crepeau – Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Alphonso Davies – Ismael Koné, Stephen Eustáquio, Tajon Buchanan, Liam Millar – Jonathan David y Cyle Larin. DT: Jesse Marsch.
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela).
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– 2024-06-21 12:21:36
