Ole newspaper: Argentina vs Venezuela, Messi will rest, Paz and Mastantono will compete for the starting spot

At 8 o'clock in the morning on October 11, Argentina will play a national team warm-up match with Venezuela. "Ole" predicted the Argentine national team's starting lineup.

Argentina has qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and its next two warm-up match opponents are Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Argentina national team coach Scaloni said that the next two warm-up matches are very important and will be used to examine the performance of some newcomers. "Ole Daily" believes that in Argentina's match against Venezuela, the Argentine national team will continue to maintain its consistent formation and tactics, but will also give some opportunities to players who have not played much before.

Captain Messi may take a rest in this game and wait until the next warm-up match between Argentina and Puerto Rico before returning. However, whether Messi will be included in the roster for this game has not yet been finalized. Goalkeeper Martinez suffered a minor injury at Villa, but it is not serious and can continue to start this game. At the central defender position, Romero will start, and at the other central defender position, Bournemouth defender Senesi is more likely to start than the veteran Otamendi.

At the left back position, Scaloni may try to start with Nicolas Gonzalez instead of Tagliafico. The Argentine national team does not have many available players at this position. Many left backs that have been inspected before have not performed satisfactorily. Tagliafico is still the first choice, but Nicolas Gonzalez can also be an alternative.

Two young players, Nico Paz and Mastantono, will compete for a starting position. Alvarez and Lautaro will be paired up front, and Lopez may get a chance to play in the second half.

"Ole News" predicts the starting lineup of the Argentine national team in this warm-up match:

Martinez; Molina, Romero, Senesi, Nicolas Gonzalez (Tagliafico); De Paul, Enzo, McAllister; Nico Paz (Mastantono), Lautaro, Alvarez