Injury-plagued Germany to host Argentina sans Messi

by IANS |

Dortmund (Germany), Oct 9 (IANS) Argentina will be playing without captain Lionel Messi in a friendly against a German team which is also decimated by injury, here on Wednesday.

Messi is serving a three-month international suspension imposed by the South American Soccer Confederation (Conmebol) after the FC Barcelona superstar criticised the organisation during the Copa America tournament in Brazil, reports Efe news.

Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni, on Tuesday, also decided against calling up players from Boca Juniors and River Plate -- Argentina's two top clubs -- as those squads are preparing for an October 22 Copa Libertadores semifinal clash.

Even so, Scaloni can rely on proven performers such as Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Paulo Dybala and rising star Lautaro Martinez.

"Germany is a power," the coach said in an interview posted on the website of the Argentine soccer federation. "It's an important test to know where we are at the moment."

The German coach, Joachim Low, faces a much stiffer challenge in putting together a starting 11 for Wednesday's contest in Dortmund with Argentina, especially as its comes days before a key Euro 2020 qualifier.

Leroy Sane, Antonio Rüdiger, Leon Goretzka, Kevin Trapp, Nico Schulz, Julian Draxler, Thilo Kehrer, Toni Kroos, Jonas Hector, Matthias Ginter, Jonathan Tah and Ilkay Gündogan are on the injured list for Germany.

And Marco Reus, who was expected to play against Argentina, complained of knee problems on Tuesday.

"It's an emergency team, yes," Low acknowledged at the pre-match conference, while emphasizing that the situation also creates opportunity for new faces to get playing time.

Asked about the opposition, he described Argentina as a "dangerous team, with or without Messi."

The coach has named the Barcelona man as the starter against Argentina, while Bayern Munich's Neuer will be in the net for Sunday's Euro qualifier with Estonia.

Germany and Argentina have faced each other in three World Cup finals. Argentina triumphed in 1986, while the Germans won in 1990 and 2014.

Latest News
Sensex crosses 74K mark in 1000 points rally Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 03:42 PM
Man stabbed to death during fight over drinking water Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 03:41 PM
Actor Mukesh, BJP candidate Ashwini file nominations in Kerala Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 03:22 PM
Gillespie resigns from his role as South Australia, Adelaide strikers' head coach Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 03:15 PM
'No scope for individuality in party', Karnataka DyCM Shivakumar warns warring leaders Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 03:10 PM
Ukrainian FM arrives in India to build on talks between PM Modi, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 03:02 PM
Political conspiracy, claims Kejriwal while being taken to Rouse Avenue Court Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 02:47 PM
NXP Semiconductors unveils industry-first platform for software-defined vehicles Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 02:41 PM
CM Vijayan & CPI(M) tread cautiously after ED case against Veena Vijayan Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 02:37 PM
IPL 2024: 'They opened for Australia...', says Ganguly on DC's opting for Warner, Marsh as opening pair vs PBKS Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 02:28 PM
India's trade policy is calibrated with economic growth path: Piyush Goyal Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 02:17 PM
Holi brings cheer to UP excise dept as sales soar Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 02:11 PM
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann blessed with baby girl Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 02:10 PM
New AI tool can predict fatal heart rhythm with 80 pc accuracy Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 12:41 PM
IPL 2024: 'Perplexed, beyond my understanding', Smith, Pathan slam Hardik's tactics of using Bumrah vs SRH Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 12:27 PM