Argentina starting prediction: Messi s truce is doubtful? Who will partner in defense? Nico Paez or start?

Scaloni made it clear that the next two friendly matches of the Argentina national team are crucial to determining the 2026 World Cup roster. Although there are still 244 days until the start of the World Cup, the team has very little time to practice together. Therefore, the coach will make full use of the opportunities in the schedule to examine new lineup combinations on the one hand, and on the other hand, continue to maintain the competitive shape of the main lineup that has qualified for the United States, Canada and Mexico World Cup.

Therefore, in the game against Venezuela, the Argentine national team coaching staff will continue to use the team’s usual tactical system – Scaloni has always emphasized the need to maintain the stability of this system – but will make some adjustments to give players who have had fewer playing opportunities (or, compared to the main players, significantly insufficient playing time) opportunities to show off. And that will be one of the goals of this game.

In the latest training session at the Miami International Training Center, Scaloni was still analyzing the game situation. One possibility is not to play Messi: considering the need to examine emerging players, captain Messi may be rested in order to play in Argentina's game against Puerto Rico. As for whether Messi will be included in the substitute list or not included in the game list, it will be determined as soon as possible. Likewise, whether he will take the opportunity to feature in Inter Miami's match at the weekend is yet to be determined.

One certain information is that Martin will start: Although he was slightly unwell when he arrived from Aston Villa, he will still enter the starting lineup. Together with him, Nahuel Molina (playing for Atletico Madrid) and Romero (playing for Tottenham Hotspur) will be selected. However, there are still suspense in the other two positions of the defense.

The first suspense lies in the choice of central defender partner. Scaloni needs to decide whether to start Marcos Senesi (playing for Bournemouth), who has just returned to the national team squad, or continue to arrange Otamendi to start. The Bournemouth defender has been called up again by the national team this time and is likely to get playing time; in addition, River Plate's Lautaro Rivero is also expected to appear during this international break (two friendly matches).

On the other hand, at the left back position, it is not ruled out that Nicolas Gonzalez can start - he has held this position during the previous Scaloni coaching cycle - thus replacing Nicolas Tagliafico. This attempt is also due to the limited personnel reserves at the left back position: the coaching staff has previously inspected Valentin Barco (not selected this time and currently playing in Ligue 1), Julio Soler (currently playing for the U20 national team) and Facundo Medina (currently injured), but so far, Tagliafico, who plays for Lyon, is still the first choice for this position in important games.

As for the midfielder, it is expected that the "Trident" combination familiar to fans will be used - DePaul, Alexis McAllister, and Enzo Fernandez, while the candidate for the fourth midfielder/winger has not yet been determined. The competition for this position will be between Nico Paz (who has excelled in Serie A this season) and Franco Mastantono, who has played time in three of Argentina's last four games (against Chile, Venezuela, Ecuador).

In terms of the forward line, it is expected that the regular starting combination will be sent: Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez will appear together. But this does not mean that Jose Manuel Lopez has no chance to play in the second half of the game - Scaloni was full of praise for him in previous interviews.