Adriano shared his sad experiences living in the favelas, stating that he is “obsessed with wasting my life.”
As hosts, the Paraguayans leave nothing to chance in their preparations. One of the most notable decisions of the Paraguayan Football Association (APF) is to ban supporters in the home stands from wearing jerseys of other teams, notably that of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, who benefits from a fan base, regardless of nationality or club colors.
On the pitch, coach Alfaro has called up a squad of 27 players, who will be without Juan José Cáceres, the right back of the Argentine club Lanús, due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Paraguay’s key players include Torino striker Antonio Sanabria, who scored against Venezuela, and Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gómez, Messi’s teammate, who was Brazil’s tormentor.
Read more:
Ban on Argentinian jerseys in Paraguay: Only the Albirroja at Defensores del Chaco
‘Dibu’ back in goal: Thursday’s match will mark the return of goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez after serving a two-match suspension for an incident with a cameraman during Argentina’s 2-1 defeat in Colombia.
For the match in Paraguay, coach Lionel Scaloni will be without Germán Pezzella due to muscular discomfort, and Nicolás González, who has not fully recovered from an injury, as will Lisandro Martínez, who will also be absent.
Argentina arrive with plenty of experience and after a 1-1 draw in Venezuela, followed by a drubbing inflicted on Bolivia.
The statistics are in favor of Scaloni’s men, who in their last World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay – held in October 2023 – won 1-0 thanks to Nicolás Otamendi’s only goal.
Read more:
Scaloni Announces Team ‘Similar to Bolivia Match’
During their previous visit to Defensores del Chaco, in October 2021, Argentina and Paraguay drew 0-0 in qualifying.
Records show that in 21 World Cup qualifying matches played between these two teams since 1965, 11 ended in draws, 7 wins for the Albiceleste, and 3 for the Albirroja.
Compositions Probables :
Paraguay : Junior Fernandez Gustavo Velázquez, Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete, Junior Alonso, Diego Gómez, Andrés Cubas, Damián Bobadilla, Miguel Almirón, Julio Enciso and Antonio Sanabria.
Coach : Gustavo Alfaro.
Argentine : Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
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Ballyphehane and Grangevale reach CBL Shield quarter-finals for the first time
