Argentina and Brazil search for Messi and Neymar replacements ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers
SAO PAULO (AP) — There will be no Lionel Messi for Argentina and no Neymar for Brazil in two decisive rounds of South American World Cup qualifying. Ahead of games against tough rivals, coaches Lionel Scaloni and Dorival Júnior are still wondering who will replace their stars.
Leader Argentina has 25 points after 12 matches and could secure its place in the next World Cup within days, helped by a win at second-placed Uruguay on Friday.
On Thursday, fifth placed Brazil faces Colombia, who is one position ahead in the standings. Next Tuesday, the two South American powerhouses will clash in Buenos Aires. Argentina won their previous encounter at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro 1-0.
Also this week, Paraguay will host Chile, Peru will take on Bolivia, and Ecuador plays host for Venezuela. The top six teams in South American World Cup qualifying will secure direct berths to the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The 7th-placed team among the 10 of the region will still have a chance to qualify in an international playoff.
Brazil vs. Colombia
Brazil could end this month securing its spot in the next World Cup or lagging in the 7th place. And that means pressure on coach Júnior, who could still lose his job before the tournament.
Neymar's absence led Júnior to try out Savinho up front alongside Rodrygo and Vinicius Júnior, with Raphinha behind them. Brazil's coach has hinted that would be the most likely lineup against Colombia on Thursday at the Mané Garrincha stadium in Brasilia.
If Savinho doesn't work, Júnior could move Raphinha up front or try out teenager Estêvão, one of Brazil's biggest prospects.
Brazil drew against Venezuela and Uruguay in its two latest World Cup qualifying matches, with coach Júnior arguing he was 'starting a recovery process' by testing several players in different positions.
'We hope we will continue to develop, with the team getting more ready,' he said in early March after announcing his squad for the two upcoming clashes. 'We need special care at this moment against two excellent rivals, we will surely have two great matches.'
Uruguay vs. Argentina
With Messi out due to a muscle injury, Scaloni could field a powerful duo up front in Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez if he is confident in winning at the Centenario Stadium, Montevideo. A win would make Argentina the first South American team to qualify for the World Cup. So far, Álvarez has scored 23 goals for Atletico Madrid this season, while Martínez has 11 for Inter Milan in Serie A.
But if Scaloni wants a more careful approach, midfielder Thiago Almada could be placed in Messi's role and force either Álvarez or Martínez out of the team. Earlier on Wednesday, local media said the Inter Milan striker could be rested on Friday as he is fatigued.
Messi injured his left thigh adductor muscle in Inter Miami 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Sunday in the MLS.
Argentine players might want to be cautious in Montevideo to avoid risking suspension for the match against Brazil. Defender Nicolás Otamendi, midfielders Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo de Paul, and Alexis Mac Allister, and striker Martínez could miss the clash if they get a yellow against Uruguay.
After facing Uruguay and before hosting Brazil, Argentina will play a friendly on Saturday against a local U-20 team at Huracán Stadium in Buenos Aires in a fundraiser for the reconstruction of a hospital damaged by a storm that killed 16 people in the region of Bahía Blanca two weeks ago.
'We needed to do something within the international window,' Scaloni said.
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