With the Copa America just three months away from kicking off in La Plata, time is running out for Argentina hopefuls to secure their positions in Sergio Batista’s 22-man squad. <\/p>\n
Competition is fierce in almost every position, and no matter how ‘El Checho’ picks his team there will almost certainly be world-class players left disappointed as the Albiceleste take the field in a home Copa America.<\/p>\n
The Argentina coach is still taking the chance to rotate his squad, with the result that for Saturday’s clash against the United States and Tuesday’s encounter with Costa Rica there are several prospects aware of the fact that this could be their last chance to shine. As the arduous task of slimming the squad down looms large on the horizon, Goal.com predicts who has already secured their place, who still have high hopes and who can expect to be watching the Copa on TV.<\/p>\n
GOALKEEPERS:<\/p>\n
Copa Certainties: Sergio Romero (AZ), Mariano Andujar (Catania)<\/p>\n
Copa Hopefuls: Juan Pablo Carrizo (River Plate), Agustin Marchesin (Lanus), Oscar Ustari (Getafe).<\/p>\n
Fighting For The Final Spot<\/p>\n
With the two primary goalkeeper places seemingly set in stone, the fight is on to grab the third jersey and join Batista’s squad. Sergio Romero has been solid if unspectacular in his 20 caps for the Albiceleste, and although he will miss this week’s action it would take either a stunning performance from Andujar or a disaster on the AZ man’s part for that to change.<\/p>\n
There are several hopefuls to join the two shot-stoppers, and the most likely outcome is that ‘Checho’ will plump for a domestically-based players to drive up the numbers of local participants. Juan Pablo Carrizo looks favourite if he can continue his excellent River form in 2011, while Lanus’ Marchesin is a talented young goalkeeper who is clearly rated by the Seleccion coach and could be an outside bet.<\/p>\n
DEFENDERS:<\/p>\n
Copa Certainties: Javier Zanetti (Inter), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Gabriel Milito (Barcelona)<\/p>\n
Copa Hopefuls: Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Pablo Zabaleta (Man City), Walter Samuel (Inter), Nicolas Otamendi (Porto),<\/p>\n
In with a chance: Marcos Angeleri (Sunderland), Federico Fazio (Sevilla), Ivan Pillud (Racing Club)<\/p>\n
Outsiders: Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)<\/p>\n
The fact that at least 12 players are fighting to be included in the Argentine defensive contingent either speaks volumes for the depth of talent Batista can call on, or highlights that the Seleccion has failed to find a consistent, settled back four in the last four years.<\/p>\n
The team’s elder statesmen Zanetti, Burdisso and Milito should all make the cut with ease, but Walter Samuel’s long injury lay-off may outweigh his obvious defensive talents. Demichelis and Coloccini have been discarded by the new regime and seem certain to miss the boat. With ‘Checho’ determined to play traditional, attacking wing-backs, the big battle looks to be to occupy the left hand side; Marco Rojo fits this role perfectly, and if he shines in the final friendlies could usurp the more experienced Gabriel Heinze to start in the Copa.<\/p>\n
On the other side Angeleri and Zabaleta both have a chance to be ‘El Pupi’s deputy, while Ivan Pillud is another interesting proposition as an attacking full-back.<\/p>\n
MIDFIELDERS:<\/p>\n
Copa Certainties: Esteban Cambiasso (Inter), Ever Banega (Valencia), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Javier Pastore (Palermo)<\/p>\n
Copa Hopefuls: Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht), Mario Bolatti (Internacional), Jose Sosa (Napoli), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid),<\/p>\n
In with a chance: Andres D’Alessandro (Internacional), Fernando Belluschi (Porto), Cristian Chavez (Boca), Claudio Yacob (Racing)<\/p>\n
The wildcard: Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors)<\/p>\n
Outsiders: Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle United), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes)<\/p>\n
Close To Completion<\/p>\n
The midfield appears to be the most settled part of the Argentina line-up, with Batista ready to form a three-man combination from Mascherano, Banega, Cambiasso and Pastore. The question is who will travel with the squad as understudies and look to spring a surprise as the tournament progresses.<\/p>\n
The reserves will complement the first team players and the coach’s preferred playing style, which means cultured central midfielders like Bolatti, Sosa and D’Alessandro have an excellent chance. World Cup flops Maxi Rodriguez and Jonas have not figured for almost a year and can write off their chances now, while domestic-based duo ‘La Flaca’ Yacob and ‘Pochi’ Chavez are interesting outside bets. Watch out for Riquelme; his 2008 Olympic Games coach is a confirmed fan, and has stated that if Roman finds form with Boca he has a great chance.<\/p>\n
FORWARDS:<\/p>\n
Copa Certainties: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Angel di Maria (Real Madrid)<\/p>\n
Copa Hopefuls: Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Diego Milito (Inter),<\/p>\n
In with a chance: Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Juan Manuel Martinez (Velez Sarsfield), Enzo Perez (Estudiantes)<\/p>\n
Hanging by a thread: Carlos Tevez (Man City), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)<\/p>\n
Many great players, and few places to accommodate them: this is the not unwelcome dilemma that Batista faces in choosing five players to lead the frontline for Argentina in July. Messi and Di Maria can be considered automatic choices, and ‘Pipita’ Higuain will almost definitely join them if he can recover match fitness; which leaves current outsiders Tevez and Aguero in serious danger of missing out.<\/p>\n
The pair were the closest to Diego Maradona in the current Argentine generation – Aguero of course being the legend’s son-in-law- and also pulled out of November’s Brazil friendly, a combination of events which, although ‘Checho’ denies claims, seems to have at least a part in their subsequent exclusion. For now Ezequiel Lavezzi holds the inside track and will have the chance to further his claim this week, as will promising ex-Lanus youngster Eduardo Salvio.<\/p>\n
As for ‘El Kun’ and ‘Carlitos’, they will face an agonising two months before finding out if all is forgiven and they are included in the trainer’s elite 22. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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