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Argentina vs Peru : Expected Starting XI

By Chiranjib Ghosh

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - AUGUST 31: (L-R) Nicolas Otamendi, Mauro Icardi, Paulo Dybala, Lucas Biglia and Federico Fazio of Argentina line up for the National Anthem prior to a match between Uruguay and Argentina as part of FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at Centenario Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images)
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - AUGUST 31: (L-R) Nicolas Otamendi, Mauro Icardi, Paulo Dybala, Lucas Biglia and Federico Fazio of Argentina line up for the National Anthem prior to a match between Uruguay and Argentina as part of FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at Centenario Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images) /
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Argentina will be taking on Peru in a crucial qualifier tie at the La Bombonera

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – OCTOBER 01: Dario Benedetto of Boca Juniors drives the ball during a match between Boca Juniors and Chacarita as part of Superliga 2017/18 at Alberto J. Armando Stadium on October 01, 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – OCTOBER 01: Dario Benedetto of Boca Juniors drives the ball during a match between Boca Juniors and Chacarita as part of Superliga 2017/18 at Alberto J. Armando Stadium on October 01, 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images) /

Jorge Sampaoli has named an odd squad for the match against Peru, considering its importance. He has left out Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín and Javier Pastore. All three have been performing well for their respective clubs.

In fact, Sergio Agüero is in red-hot form for Manchester City, having scored 7 goals in 8 appearances. But Sampaoli has sought out talent from the Argentine Primera División. He has selected the unheralded trio of Darío Benedetto, Lautaro Acosta and Emiliano Rigoni.

But Sampaoli is not a fool. He will have to name a strong starting XI if he is to ensure automatic qualification for Argentina.

Expected Starting XI(4-2-3-1) :-


Sergio Romero has to start in goal, obviously. The alternatives are not near to being good enough to play for Argentina. He should get a four man defence to shield the defence instead of a three man defence comprising only centre-backs.

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Sampaoli used the 3-4-2-1 formation to maximise the threat the side would pose from attacks due to the number of attackers in the squad. But he failed miserably. The team relied on an own-goal to save the day while conceding one goal.

But a 4-2-3-1 would better balance the team. The centre-back pairing would be Javier Mascherano and Nicolás Otamendi with Gabriel Mercado as right-back and Milton Casco as left-back.

The midfield should consist of an out-and-out defensive midfielder like Fernando Gago to cushion the defence and a playmaker like Éver Banega to lead the transition from defence to attack. The central attacking midfield spot can go to none other than Paulo Dybala, who has scored 12 goals in that position for Juventus this season. Lionel Messi picks himself on the right hand side and likewise with Ángel Di María on the left.

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But Sampaoli will face a dilemma with the centre forward position. A tall, strong forward is the ideal strike partner for Dybala, like with Mario Mandžukić at Juventus. Darío Benedetto fits the bill and is in prime form for Boca Juniors. But Mauro Icardi is even more suitable for that role, and is also in top form. So, Sampaoli should go for him.

Overall, the team should be strong enough to topple the Peruvian defence and pump in a few goals while minimizing the number of goals conceded with a 4 man defence.