KANSAS CITY, United States (Special Envoy).- Outside The Stella Hotel the first light blue and white t-shirts are already beginning to appear. Some fans are waiting for a photo, others are simply looking to see the players pass by before this Saturday’s friendly against Honduras, at Kyle Field. Inside, however, the climate is different. The news about Leonardo Balerdi It left a feeling that was difficult to hide. The defender arrived at the World Cup at a great moment and after having established himself as an important alternative for Lionel Scaloniand he had already organized the trip of 11 family members to accompany him to the United States. His absence still weighs on the inside and forces the coaching staff to think about alternatives to replace it.
For the third consecutive World Cup, the national team will have to modify the original listl due to a last minute injury. In 2018, Manuel Lanzini suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and was replaced by Enzo Pérez. In 2022, Joaquín Correa and Nicolás González were absent, both due to muscle problems, and their places were left for Thiago Almada and Ángel Correa. This time, the person affected was Leonardo Balerdi. The Olympique de Marseille defender suffered a tear in his right soleus during practice on Friday and, after undergoing overnight studies, he was officially removed from the list. In all cases there was a common denominator: Lionel Scaloni. First as a member of Jorge Sampaoli’s coaching staff and then as head coach, the man from Pujaoli had to participate in one of the most uncomfortable situations that a coaching staff can go through: inform a footballer that he will no longer be part of the squad. A painful decision for those who receive the news, but also for those who must transmit it.
Kyle Field, where the game against Honduras will be played (from 9 p.m. Argentina time), is located just six kilometers from the Argentine concentration, so Scaloni will have a large part of the day to analyze options with his collaborators and define not only what surname to include, but also what position the team will reinforce. In that sense, the World Cup regulations are clear: any modification to the roster of 26 players can be made up to 24 hours before the debut, scheduled for June 16 against Algeria, as long as it is an injury or illness duly certified by the team’s doctors and validated by FIFA. The replacement must be part of the pre-list of 55 players presented at the end of May and does not necessarily have to occupy the same position as the outgoing player, except in the case of goalkeepers. For this reason, and given the number of players who have physical discomfort, the coaching staff will take a few hours to consider alternatives. Even, the situation could give you room to cover more than one need with a single movement.
Until the last minute, Scaloni evaluated the possibility of adding a ninth defender to the list, one more than in Qatar 2022. The idea was to have two players per position and an extra piece capable of performing in various positions, in addition to offering an alternative for an eventual line of three defenders, either from the start or in the event of some contingency during the tournament. Finally, he was inclined to maintain eight specialists. It included Facundo Medinawho can act as a defender, stopper or left back, and opted for the usual names: Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel on the right; Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Leonardo Balerdi and Lisandro Martínez as center backs; and Nicolás Tagliafico and Medina as left backs.
Therefore, Balerdi’s departure poses an additional challenge. The main candidate to replace him is Marcos Senesione of the defenders most valued by the coaching staff. However, unlike the Olympique de Marseille footballer, he is left-footed and plays in the left sector of the defense, precisely the area of defense in which Argentina has the most variants.
Senesi, 29, has just completed a great season at Bournemouth and even appears in Tottenham’s orbit, especially if Cuti Romero ends up leaving the London club. In the selection, however, never managed to fully take hold. Even on the FIFA date in March he had a weak performance against Mauritania, although he continued to be part of Scaloni’s consideration.
The other names that appear on the list of 55 and, therefore, are legally authorized to be called are Lucas Martínez Quartaof irregular present in River, but with the advantage of being right-handed; Lautaro Di Lollowhich had a weak end to the semester in Boca; German Pezzellaalso discreetly current in the Millonario; and Zaid Romeroplayer for Getafe in Spain and one of the surprises of the March call-up, although he did not add minutes and also shares the status of left-footed with Senesi.
Another footballer who lives with the group is Ignacio Obando. The 19-year-old right-handed central marker, one of Rosario Central’s most interesting appearances, traveled to the United States as a sparring partner and works under Scaloni. However, he is not part of the pre-list of 55 players, so an eventual inclusion would require exceptional management.
If the physical situation of the rest of the squad were different, Senesi’s call-up would probably be a formality. But the reality is that The national team arrives at the World Cup with several players physically at their limit and Scaloni could take advantage of the vacant spot to reinforce another sector of the team. Without going any further, both Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are still not fully recovered from their lacerations. The most complicated is River’s side and, if he fails to evolve in the coming days, he could even be left off the list. In this context, Scaloni will take advantage of the friendlies to closely observe two players who made up the pre-list and traveled to the United States as backup: Agustín Giay and Nicolás Capaldo.
Both could even become alternatives to fill the vacant place left by Balerdi. The former San Lorenzo has acted as a stopper in Palmeiras, while Capaldo adds versatility: he has been playing in Germany for a long time as a libero, inside on the right or central midfielder. Giay only added 21 minutes against Mauritania and Capaldo has not yet made his senior debut.
At the back there are also questions. Nicolás Otamendi benefited from the FIFA amnesty and may be available despite the expulsion suffered on the last date of the qualifiers, but at 38 years old he will be the third oldest footballer to play in a World Cup with the Argentine team. And at his side appears Cristian Romero, who, although he has already left behind the sprain in his right knee, would arrive at his debut with almost two months of inactivity.
Montiel is not the only one still under observation: Nicolas Pazwho has pain in his left knee as a result of a blow and has not yet been able to train alongside the group. He didn’t do it normally either. Leandro Paredeswho continues to recover from a micro-tear in his right hamstring.
Another that alternates work with the group and differentiated tasks is Julian Alvarezalthough in his case the consequences of the sprained left ankle do not seem to put his presence in the World Cup at risk. The scenario is different Emiliano Martínez: The goalkeeper suffers from a fracture in the ring finger of his right hand and, since he did not undergo surgery, the treatment involves giving the injury time and avoiding impacts on the affected area. Those who did bring peace of mind were Lionel Messi and Romero: They train alongside their teammates and could add minutes in friendlies.
Balerdi’s disaffection hit the team hard and opened a new scenario a few days before the World Cup, in the midst of the excitement of fighting for the title again, but also a more eventful preparation than expected.
