Four years ago, Argentina lost goalkeeper Sergio Romero and midfielder Manuel Lanzini within a few days of opening the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
At the 2022 World Cup, the team is again without two squads. This Thursday (17), coach Lionel Scaloni cut strikers Nicolás González, 27, and Joaquín Correa, 28. Both were removed from the team a few hours after arriving in Qatar.
González’s replacement will be Ángel Correa, 27. He was part of the waiting list presented by the AFA (Argentine Football Association) to FIFA. In Correa’s place, Thiago Almada was chosen.
According to a statement from the association, González suffered a muscle injury in training held this Thursday at the University of Qatar, where the delegation is staying. Joaquín Correa’s problem has not been confirmed. But the changes were already speculated among members of the technical commission and directors.
González had physical problems and was not even used in the friendly against the United Arab Emirates, in Dubai, on Wednesday (16). Argentina thrashed 5-0. The original injury occurred last month, in a match for Fiorentina, in the Italian Championship.
Joaquín Correa not only entered the pitch but scored one of the winning goals.
Scaloni had opened up the possibility of roster changes by declaring that “several players called up” did not turn up 100%.
“There is a chance of changing the ratio of the 26. It depends on the evolution of the injured players. The others played, and there is not much more to say. They are very big and can say if they are in condition or not”, said the coach after the match. friendly win.
Defender Cuti Romero and winger/midfielder Marcos Acuña also had injuries at the start of training.
With the departure of González, Scaloni loses the name that was a kind of joker of his period in charge of the national team when acting in different functions. He was part of last year’s Copa América champion squad.
Up to 24 hours before the first game, a selection can inform FIFA of the need to change the list of 26 squad due to injury. The substitute must leave the previous list of 55 names previously presented.
Argentina will debut next Tuesday (22), against Saudi Arabia.
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