Argentina projected starting lineup vs Egypt: Who will join attack with Leo Messi?
· Yahoo Sports
ATLANTA — After a scare against Cape Verde, needing extra time to see off the African minnow in the World Cup round of 32, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni plans to make a handful of changes to his starting XI as his team meets another African team, North African power Egypt, in the round of 16.
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They may or may not be the changes fans are hoping for. Many have advocated for more time for some of the Albiceleste's young, exciting rising stars such as Nico Paz and Giuliano Simeone, who got a start in the final group game.
Scaloni, however, noted that "we can play in a lot of ways in the same game and tomorrow the team we’ll put out will be more or less similar to what we’ve been doing."
Here's how Argentina is likely to line up against Egypt in the round of 16:
Who will join Lionel Messi in attack against Egypt?
Even after going a full 120 minutes, there is little doubt that Lionel Messi will start against the Pharaohs. The question, as it was before the previous match, is who will start with him in attack.
Lautaro Martínez couldn't add much danger to what Messi provided after getting the start, but Julian Alvarez still doesn't look to be back to 100 percent suffering an ankle issue before the tournament. Still, look for "The Spider" to get a chance to bite from the beginning as Scaloni and his staff work to provide Messi help.
What changes will Lionel Scaloni make to the Argentina midfield?
The biggest change will come in midfield with Leandro Paredes coming into the starting lineup, likely pushing Alexis Mac Allister wide in a more attacking role – though Paredes also might be asked to push forward and connect more than in past Argentina appearances after showing more attacking prowess in recent matches with Boca Juniors.
Rodrigo De Paul, Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez should keep their places, with Thiago Almada sacrificed to make room for the former PSG man.
What questions does the Argentina national team have at the back?
With Cristian "Cuti" Romero having passed the Cape Verde test in the round of 32 and going the distance after injuring his knee, the center-back pairing of Romero and Lisandro Martinez will likely repeat for the rest of the tournament unless one of the duo is injured or suspended.
Out wide, however, Nahuel Molina had a tough day against Cape Verde on the right side, while Nicolas Tagliafico continues to push for more minutes with assured performances when he does get minutes. He and Facundo Medina are locked in a battle for a starting role, while Molina has less competition on the right. Look for Molina to keep his place, while Tagliafico might earn the starting nod this time out.
Argentina projected lineup vs. Egypt:
- Goalkeeper: Dibu Martinez
- Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Cuti Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico
- Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Argentina projected starting lineup vs Egypt: Who will join attack with Leo Messi?