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Brazil national football team
International Friendlies
Nov 15, 2019 at 5pm UK
 
Argentina national football team

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Messi (13')

How Argentina could line up against Brazil

Sports Mole looks at how Argentina could line up for their international friendly against Brazil as Lionel Messi returns after a three-month suspension.

Argentina have the chance to avenge their Copa America semi-final defeat to Brazil when they take on their bitter South American rivals in a friendly in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Lionel Scaloni's side are unbeaten since being dumped out of the summer tournament by the eventual winners, whereas Brazil have not won since the final and go into this match enduring their longest winless run for more than 15 years.

Argentina will be further boosted by the return of record goalscorer Lionel Messi, who has been recalled to the squad after serving a three-month international suspension.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how La Albiceleste could line up for the glamour showdown.



Possible ARG XI vs. BRA

The return of Messi is undoubtedly the headline for Argentina as the Barcelona talisman looks to add to his tally of 68 goals in 136 appearances for his country.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is not the only returning superstar, though, with Sergio Aguero also handed a recall for the first time since the Copa America - the Manchester City marksman could earn his 97th cap in this match.

Lautaro Martinez has staked a claim for the main striking role in Aguero's absence, though, and he will be expecting to retain a place having scored nine goals in 15 appearances for his country.

Paulo Dybala adds yet more firepower to a fearsome attacking unit, although it is perhaps still not as strong as it might be with in-form Paris Saint-Germain duo Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi both omitted from the squad once again.

It is at the other end of the pitch where Argentina's problems have traditionally come, and the goalkeeper's position seems very much up for grabs with the four options selected having made just 10 international appearances between them - including uncapped Arsenal reserve shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez.

Agustin Marchesin is the most experienced of that group and so is expected to start this match, and there will at least be international knowhow in front of him too, with Nicolas Otamendi set to come up against his Man City teammate Gabriel Jesus.

Juan Foyth, Marcos Rojo, Roberto Pereyra and Giovani Lo Celso are the other Premier League players included in the squad, with the latter in line to start having overcome the injury issues which delayed his full Tottenham Hotspur debut until earlier this month.

> Click here to see how Brazil could line up for this contest

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