Argentina capable of defending their crown

Expected starting 11 

It is not too hard to predict Argentina’s starting 11 for the tournament as Scaloni is a manager who knows what his best team looks like.  

Argentina often line-up in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation and the following team is what is expected when the defending champions kick the tournament off against Canada on June 20 in Atlanta.  

It is uncertain whether the Argentine boss will go with Man City’s Julian Alvarez up front or Inter’s Lautaro Martinez but following the campaign the Serie A striker has experienced, it would be difficult to leave the 26-year-old out of the starting 11.  

Key player 

Lionel Messi  

It goes without saying who Argentina’s key man is heading into the Copa America this summer, despite the man turning 37 during the tournament.  

Lionel Messi is still one of the best players on the planet and is more than capable of still being able to compete in Europe’s top five leagues, but having achieved everything in the sport he has decided to wind down his career in the beautiful city of Miami with his best friends by his side.   

The Argentina captain has not slowed down in the MLS this season, producing an incredible 14 goals and 11 assists across 15 matches in all competitions for Inter Miami.  

The Barcelona legend was crucial in Argentina winning the World Cup and Copa America over the last three years, with the forward producing seven goals and three assists in Qatar, while guiding his country to victory in Brazil with four goals and five assists.  

Unlike past Argentina teams, Lionel Scaloni’s men are not overly reliant on Messi anymore; but the 36-year-old is still their key player and if he performs at his best in the United States this summer, the greatest player of them all will be getting his hands on a second Copa America crown.

Can Lionel Messi win his second Copa America this summer? 
Predicted finish 

Taking all this into account, Argentina should end their Copa America campaign as champions. However, it will not be easy as there are a lot of strong teams in the competition and Scaloni’s men do not have the motivation of never winning the trophy before. 

The defending champions have a nice route to the final should everything go as planned, with Mexico, Ecuador, and Uruguay/Brazil being the possible route in the final.  

Argentina are still the best team in South America and have the biggest game-changer of them all in Messi. Should La Albiceleste play to their potential, it is hard not to see them winning back-to-back Copa America crowns this summer.  

Source link : https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/06/14/copa-america-argentina/

Author :

Publish date : 2024-06-14 15:54:34

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.