Lionel Messi will return to the Argentina XI as they aim to show Friday’s disappointing display against Mauritania was a one-off.
The world champions were expected to crush the African nation, who were drafted in at the last minute following the cancellation of the Finalissima against Spain due to the war in the Middle East.
It seemed to be going to script when early goals from Enzo Fernandez and Nico Paz put Argentina in control but they failed to build on that two-goal cushion and while Mauritania never seriously threatened a comeback they did grab a consolation late on through Jordan Lefort.
Boss Lionel Scaloni admitted the players knew they had under-performed and said they were self-critical in the dressing room afterwards. He is taking that as a positive ahead of tomorrow night’s game with Zambia in Buenos Aires.
“I think it’s a good sign that they realised the game wasn’t good,” he said. “It’s a sign of what we’ve seen lately: a team that competes, whether they play well or badly, always gives the impression of being a team. That’s what we didn’t do the other day.
“Besides playing well, they’re intelligent. When they don’t play well, they realise it and correct it. Now we have to play the next game, which we believe is a good opportunity to show us where we stand and show people if it was just one game or if it’s a sign of things to come. Let’s hope it was just that one game and that the team goes back to showing the side we all know.”
Messi came on at half-time against Mauritania but will start tomorrow in what is expected to be a much stronger line-up.
“I think he’ll start tomorrow,” Scaloni said of the Inter Miami forward. “Regarding the changes [at half-time on Friday night], I also wanted to give Julián [Alvarez] a rest, because he’d been playing quite a bit. Nico González, who was also coming back from an injury and had played well in the first half, needed a break and it was important to give other youngsters a chance.”
On paper, Zambia are much weaker than Argentina but Scaloni insists it will be another tough game.
He said: “All national teams have their strengths. They’re national teams, they bring together the best players from their country, and they try to make things difficult for you. I’m not taking anything for granted about them being better or worse than Mauritania; we have to be at our best, that’s the reality.
“As for the team, most of the players we know will play; it’s the final test. As the minutes tick by, we’ll make changes again and see how the players perform. But the idea is to field a much more familiar line-up, the one everyone knows. And we’ll see how it goes.”
Team news for Argentina v Zambia
Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Nicolas Otamendi will all return for Argentina.
Predicted line-ups for Argentina v Zambia
Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Simeone, Mac Allister, De Paul, Paz; Messi, Alvarez
Zambia: Mwanza; Chiboni, Chilimina, Chanda, Sinkala; Chisala, Chaiwa; Mulambia, Daka, Kangwanda; Sakala
Where to watch Argentina v Zambia: TV and online streams
Argentina versus Zambia kicks off at 00.15am UK time in the early hours of Wednesday morning. It is not available on UK TV.
In the US, you can catch the game on Fubo TV, Fanatiz, Sling and beIN SPORTS USA.
Stats for Argentina v Zambia
- Zambia failed to qualify for the World Cup
- Zambia finished last in their group at the Africa Cup of Nations
- Zambia have failed to win any of their last seven games
- Argentina have won their last four games
Prediction for Argentina v Zambia
Argentina’s struggles against Mauritania came as a shock but we think they will put that right against a Zambia team that appears to be well short of the quality required.
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