Expert Picks And Best Bets: Analysis On Pereira-Prochazka 2, PFL And More
June 28 (Reuters) - Argentina will be without talisman Lionel Messi as they head into the final match of Group A against Peru in the Copa America on Saturday.
The eight-times Ballon d'Or winner sustained a thigh injury in Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile.
While he did not participate in Thursday's training, reports suggest he could be fit for Argentina's quarter-final fixture on July 4.
"We will go day-to-day awaiting his evaluation. We also had a matter of overload so in order to avoid questions on that topic, we won't have him for the next match," assistant coach Walter Samuel told reporters on Friday through a translator.
Samuel stood in for head coach Lionel Scaloni at Friday's press conference, as Scaloni is suspended for the Peru match due to Argentina's tardiness after halftime in their two previous matches.
Messi's absence may disappoint fans in Miami, as another sellout was expected.
However, with Argentina already securing a spot in the quarter-finals and looking likely to top the group, precautions are being taken for the Inter Miami star.
Argentina could only lose the top spot to Canada if they suffer a defeat against Peru and Canada clinch a significant victory over Chile.
Argentina are expected to rest several other key players for the Peru match, possibly introducing 19-year-old talents Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) and Valentin Carboni (Inter Milan) to the field.
"We are not underestimating our opponent," Samuel said. "We are always playing to win."
Peru, on the other hand, need to secure a win against Argentina and hope for Canada to lose to Chile to keep their chances of qualification alive.
Peru's campaign so far has seen them draw 0-0 against Chile and lose 1-0 to Canada, the latter after Miguel Araujo received a red card.
Despite the results, Peru coach Jorge Fossati remains upbeat.
"In the first half, we challenged Canada more than Argentina challenged them and I am talking about Argentina, the current world champions," he said. (Reporting by Field Level Media; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Forza Horizon 4@2000x1270 Forza Horizon 4 Cover 768x1024 A12GVg5iNxL. AC SL1500 Forza Horizon 2024 Car Collection Screen FH5 Forza Horizon 4 2024 01 12 23 42 32 Forza Horizon 4 LEGO Fh5 Hotwheels Expansion Presskit 07 16x9 Wm 044c42bf9896f809049e Feature Forza Horizon 5 1 71e0 LQYlOL 984455 Maxresdefault Forza Horizon 4 01 Forza Horizon 5 1200x675 Forza Horizon 5 Trailer Image 1536x975 Forza Horizon 2024x3600 V0 4ikcz3snkgha1 ?auto=webp&s=8feee593a8117017cbd342f065f07ca7f5f16cb0Forza Horizon 4 RTR Mustang Forza Horizon 5 1 89760d0772c1a89ead5269f99d488905 Maxresdefault Forza Horizon 5 Sign Language Features Forza Horizon 5 530x298 1 19 Maxresdefault Maxresdefault Forza Horizon 5 PS4 Maxresdefault 1687543041 Forza Horizon 2 Story Forza Horizon 5 10 09 2023 2 30 09 Maxresdefault FullMaxresdefault Forza Horizon 5 Spring Season Challenges CW08 2023 Maxresdefault Maxresdefault
Expert Picks And Best Bets: Analysis On Pereira-Prochazka 2, PFL And More
June 28 (Reuters) - Argentina will be without talisman Lionel Messi as they head into the final match of Group A against Peru in the Copa America on Saturday.
The eight-times Ballon d'Or winner sustained a thigh injury in Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile.
While he did not participate in Thursday's training, reports suggest he could be fit for Argentina's quarter-final fixture on July 4.
"We will go day-to-day awaiting his evaluation. We also had a matter of overload so in order to avoid questions on that topic, we won't have him for the next match," assistant coach Walter Samuel told reporters on Friday through a translator.
Samuel stood in for head coach Lionel Scaloni at Friday's press conference, as Scaloni is suspended for the Peru match due to Argentina's tardiness after halftime in their two previous matches.
Messi's absence may disappoint fans in Miami, as another sellout was expected.
However, with Argentina already securing a spot in the quarter-finals and looking likely to top the group, precautions are being taken for the Inter Miami star.
Argentina could only lose the top spot to Canada if they suffer a defeat against Peru and Canada clinch a significant victory over Chile.
Argentina are expected to rest several other key players for the Peru match, possibly introducing 19-year-old talents Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) and Valentin Carboni (Inter Milan) to the field.
"We are not underestimating our opponent," Samuel said. "We are always playing to win."
Peru, on the other hand, need to secure a win against Argentina and hope for Canada to lose to Chile to keep their chances of qualification alive.
Peru's campaign so far has seen them draw 0-0 against Chile and lose 1-0 to Canada, the latter after Miguel Araujo received a red card.
Despite the results, Peru coach Jorge Fossati remains upbeat.
"In the first half, we challenged Canada more than Argentina challenged them and I am talking about Argentina, the current world champions," he said. (Reporting by Field Level Media; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
