New Argentina coach Gerardo Martino sprung no surprises as he named his first squad as head of the national team, picking the same players who reached the final of the World Cup last month for an upcoming friendly against winners Germany.
Martino, who last week was confirmed as Alejandro Sabella’s successor, had already pledged to maintain the same 23 players who went to Brazil in the squad. Today, the ex-Newell’s Old Boys, Barcelona and Paraguay coach stayed true to his word as he picked 20 players who had taken part in the international tournament.
The squad, which due to FIFA regulations only includes foreign-based players for the present time, will be completed later on by Boca Juniors pair Agustín Orión and Fernando Gago, and Newell’s star Maxi Rodríguez, the only players in the Albiceleste squad currently active in the domestic league.
Germany, who downed Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final after extra time, will welcome the nation for a repeat of that clash on September 3, in the city of Dusseldorf.
Argentina call-ups to face Germany:
Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Ángel Di María, Augusto Fernández, Hugo Campagnaro, Rodrigo Palacio, Ricardo Álvarez, Gonzalo Higuain, Federico Fernández, Marino Andújar, Lucas Biglia, Sergio Agüero, Pablo Zabaleta, Martín Demichelis, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo, Enzo Pérez, Ezequiel Garay, José María Basanta.
buenosairesherald.com