Argentina continues to accumulate problems ahead of their World Cup debut against Algeria in Kansas City next week. Joining the doubts over Julián Álvarez, Paredes and Montiel are now fitness relating to Nico González and Tagliafico.

According to the latest Argentine media reports, the Atlético Madrid and Lyon players are carrying knocks and were unable to train normally in Thursday’s session. Two other significant absences, especially at left back, a position that looks set to require an alternative.

Before the World Cup gets under way, the reigning champions have already had to contend with a series of injury concerns. Both Dibu Martínez and Cuti Romero arrived in the US with little recovery margin after injuries suffered with their respective clubs. That, added to these last-minute injuries, leaves a cluster of doubts about the Albiceleste’s start in the tournament and explains the inclusions and omissions on the final squad list.

On paper, the reigning world champions should have enough depth in their squad to advance from a Group J that includes Austria, Algeria and Jordan. The outstanding form of players such as Messi, De Paul and Enzo Fernández appears to make up for the holes left by the injured players.

Natural successor or a bold move

Of the three doubts facing the starting lineup, two now seem resolved. Lautaro Martínez will be the starting striker if Julián fails to arrive in time and in holding duties, everything points to Exequiel Palacios filling Paredes’s role. However, left back is uncertain without Acuña or Tagliafico, opening up two options.

The first and most conservative is to bring in Facundo Medina in a like-for-like swap, in a more defensive role as a conventional fullback. The other option is to introduce Valentín Barco. Although he has operated further forward and in interior channels throughout the build-up, deploying him as a fullback against weaker opponents could help create numerical superiority across several lines while also adding a creative mind in key areas.

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