And in just two days, Argentina will be playing in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. Before facing arch-rivals Brazil, they will play another Latin powerhouse, Uruguay. Ahead of that match on March 22, the Albiceleste have received new bad news. Striker Lautaro Martinez will not play in the upcoming match due to a muscle injury.
Earlier, when the squad was announced, coach Lionel Scaloni first saddened the Argentine fans by announcing the absence of Lionel Messi. He has been ruled out of two matches due to a lower grade injury. In his absence, the leadership of the attack was on the shoulders of Lautaro and Julian Alvarez. But that strength has weakened the world champions even more. As a result, Lionel Scaloni’s worries about arranging the lineup have increased.
The Inter Milan striker came from the club with an injury discomfort. In the first leg of the last sixteen of the Champions League, he was man of the match against Feyenoord. But Lautaro did not take the field due to injury in the next leg. Although his team Inter won 4-1 on aggregate and confirmed the quarter-finals. Although the Argentine forward suffered an injury before that match, there was hope that it would recover before the qualifiers. But before the Uruguay match, Lautaro gave news of disappointment.
Lautaro also trained with the national team yesterday. He completed this task in a group-based division. However, news of his injury spread later, and it was officially announced that the winger had muscle discomfort. Although the Argentine technical staff is monitoring Lautaro’s injury every day. The entire team was waiting for today’s training to get confirmation about his performance in the Uruguay match. After that, it was learned that it was not possible for him to play that match. That means that Alvarez will be seen leading Argentina’s attack as the number nine.
In the absence of Lautaro, Scaloni has to rethink the forward lineup. In this case, the name of Nicolas Gonzalez is coming to the fore. This Juventus star can be seen playing an important role in the opponent’s defense in the qualifying match. At the same time, the Albiceleste is giving new players an opportunity to fill the void in the team after Angel Di Maria’s retirement and in the absence of Messi. At the same time, it will be a challenge for the youngsters to fill it properly.
Meanwhile, Scaloni may have to make changes to the formation to adjust the entire lineup. According to the 4-4-2 format, Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis McAllister can be joined in the midfield by Leandro Paredes, Gonzalez-Alvarez duo will be in front of them. Apart from this, young forwards Thiego Almada or Angel Correa can also be seen as the third attacker. Ultimately, Scaloni can also choose a 4-2-3-1 formation again!
