Rio de Janeiro: Argentina will start their Copa America 2021 campaign against Chile on Tuesday with an with an aim to end their medal drought at the continental showpiece. The competition was originally scheduled to be held jointly by Argentina and Colombia but had to be shifted to Brazil due to the COVID-19.
Tuesday’s encounter is a rematch of the 2015 and 2016 edition finals with Chile triumphing on both the occasions. Although the La Albiceleste drew their last two internationals at the World Cup qualifiers, Lionel Scaloni’s men will aim for full three points at the Olympic Stadium. Argentina also enters the tournament on the back of 14-game unbeaten run in the competition.
On the other hand, Chile do not have much to their praise except the last meeting between these two teams which ended in a 1-1 draw in the World Cup qualifiers just a few days ago. Alexis Sanchez scored the equalizer after Lionel Messi put his team in the lead from the spot.
In the last 13 clashes, Chile have managed to win just three matches. Although after Martin Lasarte took charge, the team looked much better on the field winning one match and the other ending with no result.
For the squad selection Scaloni did not offer much of a surprise as he left out Juan Foyth, Emiliano Buendia and Lucas Alario. Although Emiliano Martinez is set to be seen at the goal mouth instead of Armani, Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero are supposed to be at the heart of the backline with a star-studded attack for the Argentines.
Lasarte also did not offer any element of surprise in his squad selection for the tournament. With Claudio Bravo about to guard the goal, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez are about to play a big role for their team. Vidal will be tasked with cutting off supplies to Messi and Sanchez in a pivotal role.
Argentina:
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; Lo Celso, Paredes, De Paul; Messi, Martinez, Di Maria
Chile :
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Bravo; Isla, Medel, Maripan, Mena; Pulgar, Vidal, Aranguiz, Meneses; Vargas, Sanchez
Recent Form
Argentina: DDWDW
Chile: DDWLW
