The Italians are still trying to process the fact that they wouldn’t be participating in this World Cup despite winning it in 2006. For the Argentines, they have Lionel Messi who scored a hattrick against Ecuador to fix a spot for Argentina in this World Cup. Argentina’s coach Sampaoli may use this match as an assessment for the entire player in his squad so that he can create the best team to support the Barcelona star and football wizard Lionel Messi. Addressing to the press he said that this match would be for assessing potential additions to his final World Cup panel in the upcoming friendly games but he has left no doubt as to what he wants from them and that is to work well with the Barcelona star. Even in a press conference he said,”Each time he plays better,” Sampaoli told reporters. “For me this is the headline: This is Messi’s team. To have the best in the world on the pitch generates different themes to develop regarding the main idea of management. We have to see, within the format that we use, which players can connect better with Messi.”
Italy vs Argentina full squad, team news, playing XI and match preview are listed here.
When and where?
This match is to be played at Etihad Stadium, Italy. The ground has a capacity of 25, 000 and it is expected to be a chilly day which would only add to the excitement of this game. The clash will take place at 1:15 AM (IST) on March 24, 2018 and this match will be available to watch on Sony LIV app.
Italy won – 2
Argentina won – 3
Not decided – 1
Italy – D L W D W L
Argentina – L W W D D D
Italy:
Argentina:
Goalkeepers: Buffon, Donnarumma, Perin
Defenders: De Sciglio, Ferrari, Darmian, Ogbonna, Spinazzola, Rugani, Bonucci, Zappacosta, Florenzi
Midfielders: De Sciglio, Ferrari, Darmian, Ogbonna, Spinazzola, Rugani, Bonucci, Zappacosta, Florenzi
Forwards: Candreva, Belotti, Insigne, Verdi, Cutrone, Immobile, Chiesa
Goalkeepers: Romero, Guzman, Caballero
Defenders: Mascherano, Rojo, Otamendi, Funes Mori, Mercado, Fazio, Tagliafico, Bustos
Midfielders: Di Maria, Banega, Biglia, Acuna, Salvio, Perotti, Paredes, Lanzini, Lo Celso, Meza, Perez
Forwards: Messi, Aguero, Higuain, Correa, Pavon, Martinez
Italy – Buffon (GK), Darmian, Rugani, Bonucci, Florenzi, parole, Jorginho, Verratti, Insigne, Immobile, Candreva
Argentina – Romero (GK), Mercado, Fazio, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Paredes, Bigila, Meza, Messi, Maria, Higuain
Our bet is on Argentina for this game because given the current situation both the teams are in Argentina is always the favourite choice whereas Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup and they are still not clear what they would be doing as of now as they are managed by their U21 team.
Disclaimer-
THIS ITA VS ARG MATCH PREVIEW IS BASED ON OUR RESEARCH AND UNDERSTANDING FROM VARIOUS NEWS SOURCES. YOU CAN SELECT YOUR OWN PLAYING 11 ON THE BASIS OF TEAM NEWS.