Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has announced the team for the tour of Asia. Argentina will play two friendly matches against Australia and Indonesia in Asia tour next June. The world champions have announced a 27-member squad ahead of those two matches.
Scaloni announced Lionel Messi as captain for these two friendly matches. Most of the players who played in the Qatar World Cup in the team got a chance. Among the big names left out are Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez and Roma forward Paulo Dybala. Besides, several new faces have been called up to the team.
The two friendlies are Argentina's last games before World Cup qualifiers begin in September. So the coach is thinking anew about the plans for the next World Cup. Therefore, ahead of the match against Australia and Indonesia, Scaloni gave a chance to several new faces in the team.
Netherlands club PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez and Olympic Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi and League Lens defender Facundo Medina have been called up to the team. In addition, Serie A champion Napoli forward Giovanni Simeone has returned to the team. Manchester United's winger Alejandro Garnacho has been called up to the team again. Last time he was called up for the friendly match but was left out of the team due to a sudden injury. This may be his debut.
Lautaro Martinez's omission has come as a big surprise in the team. The striker of Inter Milan, who made it to the final of the Champions League, has been left out of the team. Coach Scaloni did not consider him for the team mainly due to an ankle injury. Manchester United's defender Lisandro Martinez is also out due to injury. Franco Armani, who was the team's backup goalkeeper in the Qatar World Cup, has also been dropped.
The players who got a chance in the team are –
Emiliano Martinez, Geranimo Rulli, Walter Benitez, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, German Pazzella, Cristian Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Otamendi, Facunda Medina, Liclas Tagliafico, Marcus Acuna, Leandro Parades, Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Ezequiel Palacio. Hey, Mac Alistair, Thiago Almeida, Giovanni La Celso, Lucas Ocamps, Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Giovanni Simeone, Alejandro Garnacho, Nico Gonzales.
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