Scaloni sets his sights on Australia: recovery, video session and intense training for the substitutes

High humidity seems to be here to stay here in Doha. For the past few days the weather has become a little heavier and you can feel it walking the long city blocks or simply sitting in the press box of a stadium. Not to mention that he hits players in training and in matches. Own Lionel Messi He spoke about it after the victory against Poland.

This Thursday, in the Qatari afternoon that accompanies the anxious night, the heat and dense atmosphere also made themselves felt. But, on the other side of the closed doors of the University of Qatar, the national team went to retreat to move and start preparing for the round of 16 match against Australia of this Saturday.

The substitutes and those who played fewer minutes at the 974 stadium trained more intensely physically and tactically under the watchful eye of Lionel Scaloni. Those who were beginners did gym routines and regenerative movements. Everyone is fine except angel of marythat he is undergoing kinesiological treatment for overloading his left quadriceps which keeps him in doubt for the next engagement.

Scaloni awaits ‘Fideo’. But, at the same time, he must start analyzing a plan B in case he finally decides not to risk the Juventus player in order not to expose him to an injury that could leave him out for the next few instances, if progress continues.

What alternatives do you have on campus? To begin with, the eventual departure of Di María would mean having to change the face of the team again, given that he does not have a replacement with the same characteristics as the left-footed. The natural alternative was Nicola Gonzalezwhich was not affected by a tear in the previous debut.

Variants, the same, there are all colors. It will depend, if necessary of course, on what the DT thinks he needs based on the rival and the game plan. There were videos about Australia to analyze its characteristics and diagram accordingly.

A first move could be to return the property to him Lautaro Martinezwho was on the bench and jumped onto the pitch in the second half (he had a cross and deflected shot) so that he could reach Julián Alvarez.

Alejandro Gomez It could be a suitable name to take the place of Fideo, as an outsider. Whether left or right, ‘Papu’ can be that poignant footballer to converse with Lionel Messi Y alvarez in front of three heads.

In the last leg of the match against the Poles, Scaloni made his World Cup debut at Thiago Almada, who has just joined in place of González. The former Vélez came on instead with 7 minutes to go Alexis MacAllister. Have you tried in case Fideo doesn’t arrive? Nothing is excluded because nothing has been confirmed yet and all possibilities are open.

Two that have not yet added minutes are Paul Dybala Y Angelo Correa. The first arrival in Qatar has recently recovered from a deep tear, with just a handful of minutes played in Serie A. As he learned clarionThey see him better and better from the physique and it is probable that he will begin to be a variant in attack.

Angelito, on the other hand, joined Almada at the last moment, due to the loss of Joachim Correa. That of Atletico de Madrid can easily cover that sector above as well.

Although Di María has been one of the more regular members of the squad, the national team has something to replace him with if he can’t be there. And, while once again the campus fueled its energies with the warmth of the Thursday afternoon-night visit of relatives, Scaloni and his staff continued with the study hours to make the most of the little preparation time before having to play all or nothing again.

Doha, Qatar. Special delivery.