With the Copa América 2024 on the horizon, Argentina’s national team, under the guidance of coach Lionel Scaloni, has landed in Atlanta, USA, to begin their title defense. The team is working diligently to finalize its starting lineup, with key positions in the midfield and attack still undecided. Ángel Di María and Nicolás González are vying for a forward position, while Leandro Paredes and Alexis Mac Allister compete for the central midfielder role. Enzo Fernández is emerging as the preferred left-sided midfielder, showcasing the depth and talent within the squad as they prepare for their opening match against Canada on June 20th at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium with high team morale and camaraderie on display during training and their recent wins against Ecuador and Guatemala bolstering confidence. Paraguay, coached by Daniel Garnero, heads into the Copa América with renewed confidence after securing a 1-0 victory against Panama, thanks to a goal by Gustavo Velázquez. The team’s final preparations have set a positive tone as they look ahead to their first match against Colombia on June 24th. Ecuador, led by coach Félix Sánchez Bas, also enters the tournament with optimism, having secured a 2-1 win over Honduras in their final preparation match. Sánchez Bas highlighted the team’s adaptability and confidence, which they aim to carry into their opening game against Venezuela. Meanwhile, controversy surrounds the Chilean team’s selection, with the inclusion of Christian Cueva, who has not played since October 2023 due to a knee injury, drawing criticism and sarcastic remarks from the Chilean press. Despite the doubts, coach Jorge Fossati’s squad will face Peru in their first Copa América match on June 21st. As the teams converge in the United States, the stage is set for a thrilling tournament showcasing the best of South American football.
Key points
- Argentina’s national team, led by Lionel Scaloni, is finalizing its starting lineup with uncertainties in midfield and attack positions.
- Paraguay heads into Copa América with boosted confidence after a 1-0 win against Panama.
- Ecuador’s coach Félix Sánchez Bas is optimistic about the team’s chances following successful preparatory matches.
- Controversy surrounds Chile’s team selection, specifically the inclusion of Christian Cueva, who has been absent from the sport due to injury.
