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‘La Albiceleste’ coach has announced his 23-man squad for the Copa America 2015 in Chile. Manchester United star Angel Di Maria retains his place in the squad despite a mixed Premier League season.
Carlos Tevez, who was not included in last summer’s World Cup squad has also been included in the team. Martino preferred to overlook the likes of Palermo’s Paulo Dybala, Internazionale’s Mauro Icardi and Villarreal’s Luciano Vietto, all forwards who have been in fine form this season. He has said that this was not the time for experimenting with the line-up and that he would prefer to do it after the Copa America.
Even then they have a mouth-watering attacking lineup comprising of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez,Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi and add to that, the man himself, Lionel Messi.
Javier Mascherano’s place in central midfield is almost guaranteed, and it will be either Lucas Bigila or Ever Banega who will partnering Mascherano in midfield.Martino was quite impressed with Valencia’s Enzo Perez, but he misses out due to an injury. Tottenham’s Erik Lamela and PSG’s Javier Pastore are also included in the 23-man squad.
At the back, Manchester City duo of Zabaleta and Demichelis will be joined by Manchester United’s Marco Rojo, Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi and Zenit’s Ezequiel Garay. Santiago Vergini and Federico Fazio have been left out of the squad and Mateo Musacchio is out, after suffering a horror injury while playing for Villareal in a 1-1 draw against Getafe. Sergio Romero is almost certain to start as goalkeeper.
Lionel Messi will captain the 2014 World Cup runners-up at the tournament in Chile, with Argentina facing Paraguay on June 13 before they take on Uruguay and Jamaica in Group B.
Full Argentina squad for Copa America
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman, Mariano Andujar
Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta, Facundo Roncaglia, Ezequiel Garay, Martin Demichelis, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Lucas Biglia, Roberto Pereyra, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Gago, Ever Banega, Javier Pastore, Erik Lamela, Angel Di Maria
Attackers: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi
