With the return of Sergio Agüero and Nicolás Otamendi to the Argentina ranks coach Gerardo Martino has the luxury of picking a full-strength team for the crunch Copa America quarter-final this Friday, which will take place against Colombia in Viña del Mar.
In today’s training session the pair, who were rested for the final Group B game against Jamaica, replaced Martín Demichelis and Gonzalo Higuaín in the first team. Martino carried out tactical exercises and decided on his best XI for the clash.
It was also confirmed that Javier Pastore and Pablo Zabaleta will continue among the starters for Friday’s game.
During the week there was speculation that the midfielder could be replaced by Ever Banega, with Facundo Roncaglia coming in for Manchester City’s Zabaleta. Martino, however, ultimately opted against the more defensive line-up to keep the two players, who offer more going forward, in the team.
Barring injuries or other unforeseen events, Argentina will start with Sergio Romero; Zabaleta, Ezequiel Garay, Otamendi, Marcos Rojo; Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Pastore; Lionel Messi, Agüero, Angel Di María.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald