Javier Mascherano, second captain of the Albiceleste, is once again set to start in the Argentine national team for the match next Tuesday against Venezuela, in the sixteenth round of the South American qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Barcelona player will take the place of the suspended Gabriel Mercado, who on Thursday reached the limit of cautions by receiving a yellow card in the goalless draw with Uruguay at the Centenario stadium.
Mascherano will be one of the three changes prepared by Jorge Sampaoli for the crucial match against the Vinotinto.
According to the last two morning rehearsals, the other two would be the return of Ever Banega, after serving a suspension, replacing Guido Pizarro, and the entry of Lautaro Acosta for Marcos Acuña.
The good news from this morning's training session for the Argentine national team was the recovery of Nicolás Otamendi from his ankle injury, which means he will be able to start on Tuesday against Venezuela.
Thus, the probable Albiceleste team would be formed by Sergio Romero; Javier Mascherano, Federico Fazio, Nicolás Otamendi; Lautaro Acosta, Lucas Biglia, Ever Banega, Ángel Di María; Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, and Mauro Icardi.
The Argentine national team currently occupies fifth place in the South American qualifiers and, for the moment, would have to play the playoffs against an Oceanian team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Sampaoli's team will train again on Sunday morning, while on Monday they will have a double session to finalize their preparations for the match on Tuesday. EFE
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