Argentina go face Burkina Faso for final international friendly before Lionel Messi retirement match next week. Di game na first-ever meeting between di two sides. La Albiceleste go bid farewell to Messi for upcoming friendly with Benin, but first dem must focus on different African opponent.
Lionel Scaloni men begin post-Messi era with emphatic 4-0 win over Bolivia. Na first match since dem lose to Spain for last summer World Cup final. Lautaro Martínez open scoring before Nico Paz, Cristian Romero and José López add goals. Strong Argentina side take on Bolivia, and though changes expected against Burkina Faso, formidable core go remain.
Burkina Faso warm up for long trip to South America by drawing with Benin and beating Central African Republic for competitive Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. But Argentina go prove entirely different test. No Messi, no problem. Argentina saunter to commanding victory without retiring talisman, and chance dey say dem go deliver another routine win over inferior opposition.
Burkina Faso no be pushover. Dem get eight victories from past 13 matches. But Argentina superior options for every department and home advantage should facilitate another high-scoring win. Argentina don dey iffy for defense over past few months, conceding in six of past seven games, but that no suppose deny dem victory this weekend.
Scaloni fit make changes to team wey demolish Bolivia. One alteration fit be enforced after slight knock wey Lautaro Martínez sustain, and that one open door for López to partner Julián Álvarez up top. Santiago Simón and Facundo Medina fit earn minutes for fullback positions, while Equi Fernández fit follow up him senior debut against Bolivia with first-ever start for midfield alongside in-form Alexis Mac Allister. Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez fit be center back partnership of choice once again, while Emiliano Martínez should dey guard net. Tomás Palacios, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro go dey hope to make debuts.
Argentina predicted lineup vs Burkina Faso (4-4-2): E. Martínez; Simón, Romero, Li. Martínez, Medina; Paz, Mac Allister, Eq. Fernández, González; Álvarez, López.
For Burkina Faso side, head coach Amir Abdou dey sweat over availability of Brentford winger Dango Ouattara ahead of Argentina clash. Illness force am to miss both AFCON qualifiers this international break. But Stallions still get attacking threats in him absence, with Shakhtar Donetsk striker Lassina Traoré leading line. He don score for 14 of him 33 national team outings. Edmond Tapsoba go dey essential to Burkina Faso keeping Argentina forwards at bay, and Wrexham Issa Kaboré go join Bayer Leverkusen star for defense.
Burkina Faso predicted lineup vs Argentina (4-1-4-1): Koffi; Kaboré, Djiga, E. Tapsoba, Kouassi; Doucet; Bouda, A. Tapsoba, I. Ouédraogo, Zagré; L. Traoré.
Meanwhile, Argentina play second game of international break on Saturday, in theory against Burkina Faso for Buenos Aires. African team preparation for game don chaotic. Dem strand for Morocco for several days after last-minute cancellation of charter flight to South America. Number of players refuse alternative travel arrangements, which involve significantly longer travel and multiple connections, casting doubt whether game go hold. But Argentine sports outlet Diario Olé report say Burkina Faso team now dey on way and due to land for Buenos Aires few hours before kickoff. Several members of squad reportedly no travel, with handful youth players taking their place. Not ideal preparation for facing one of world strongest teams.
If Burkina Faso fail to make it in time, Argentina dey hope to instead face Benin on Saturday. Benin already dey Buenos Aires ahead of their participation for Lionel Messi farewell game on Tuesday. After announcing retirement from Argentina national team after World Cup, Messi go make one-off appearance for tribute game at River Plate Estadio Monumental on Oct. 6. He no go play on Saturday. In addition to Inter Miami playmaker, all members of 2022 World Cup-winning roster don receive invite, while Adidas launch special Argentina jersey to mark occasion.
As e dey with friendly games, e difficult to know which members of Lionel Scaloni squad go play from start and who go come off bench, with plenty players likely to get game time. Youngster Agustín Giay dey tipped to keep him place for right back, while Facundo Medina and Román Vega go fight to start for opposite flank. Further forward, Enzo Fernández fit return after not featuring against Bolivia, while Giuliano Simeone and Franco Mastantuono go hope to start after bench roles midweek. Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez lead line for last game, although Scaloni fit also want look at youngsters José Manuel López, Matías Soulé, Santi Castro and Leonel Flores.
Emiliano Martínez; Agustín Giay, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina or Román Vega; Giuliano Simeone or Franco Mastantuono, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Nico Paz; Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez.
For United States, ViX go show game. Canada no available. Mexico get ViX Mexico. United Kingdom get Premier Sports 2 and Premier Sports Player.
