Acuña and Montiel are sanctioned; De Paul and Di María drag discomfort
Argentina will train this Sunday from 6:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. on the peninsula) behind closed doors at the University of Qatar
The Argentine team is already preparing for the first semifinal of the World Cup, which will face Croatia, with two confirmed casualties due to suspension and three doubts.
Argentina and Croatia will meet at the Lusail stadium next Tuesday, starting at 8:00 p.m. (10:00 p.m. in Qatar) in search of a place in the final.
Scaloni, the Argentine coach, already knows that he will not be able to count on two players who were booked in the quarterfinal match, Acuña and Montiel. They have two yellow cards in the tournament and will be out against Croatia, but they could play the final if Argentina plays it.
Montiel did not start against the Netherlands, but Acuña started as a left-back: his position will be occupied, except for surprise, by Nicolás Tagliafico.
De Paul, Di María and ‘Papu’, headdresses
In addition, Scaloni is very aware of the physical evolution of two very important players in his scheme, Rodrigo de Paul and Ángel di María.
The Atlético de Madrid footballer has muscular discomfort and was already a doubt against the Dutch team in the quarterfinals, although he could have started. After the game, he admitted that he had to make an effort to play the match.
Di María, for his part, seems to be doing well from the contracture he is suffering from in his right quadriceps. He did not play against Australia, but he had minutes against the Netherlands.
‘Papu’ Gómez has been dealing with a sprained ankle since the round of 16 match: he had to be substituted in the 50th minute against Australia and was unable to play against the Netherlands.
Argentina will train this Sunday from 6:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. on the peninsula) behind closed doors at the University of Qatar.
On Monday, the day before the game, the albiceleste will also work at 6:00 p.m. (Doha time). Scaloni and a player will appear before the press at 3:30 p.m.
The most probable eleven for Argentina against Croatia would be the one formed by ‘Dibu’ Martínez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Julian Alvarez and Di Maria.