Argentina national team manager Lionel Scaloni is set to start Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez against Mexico tonight.
Albiceleste’s World Cup campaign got off to a nightmare start after they were beaten 2 goals to one by a resilient Saudi Arabian side.
To the surprise of many, Martínez did not start, with Scaloni preferring a defensive partnership of Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Nicolás Otamendi.
A poor performance made Romero replace Martínez at the hour of play.
The Mirror reports that Scaloni is now ready to go along with this change and field Martinez in an effort to bolster his defensive line.
The Mirror states: “Lisandro Martinez is set to make his first World Cup start as Argentina turn to the Premier League to keep them in Qatar.”
“Questions have been asked in Argentina why Martinez was left out of the opening match after his promising start at Old Trafford.”
“The [Martinez] He will partner former Manchester City defender Nicolás Otamendi in central defence, with other changes likely to follow.”
Alongside Martínez, it is believed that Manchester City’s Julián Álvarez could also start the game.
If Argentina loses against a defensively solid Mexican team, that would spell the end of their World Cup conquest.
The South American team led by seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi will undoubtedly seek to leave the ghosts of Saudi Arabia’s defeat behind and clinch all three points.
Based on the evidence of his exploits so far with United this season, Martinez will be invaluable in achieving this primary goal.
