Squad for Argentina-Portugal friendly announced

Portugal and Argentina announced their squad for the friendly that will take place in Geneva on Wednesday. The match was scheduled to be held in London, at the Emirates but the venue was later changed.

The match is being looked forward for the famous Ronaldo-Messi clash but it certainly promises more than that. Superstars on both sides will look to sweat it all out after an unsuccessful world cup campaign.

its going to be more than Messi-Ronaldo!!

The most prominent names missing in Argentine squad are Manchester City’s Tevez and Marseille’s Gabrielle Heinze. Ex-Bayern Munich defender Martin Demichelis and Athletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero have also been left out of the squad while Real Madrid’s Higuain is unavailable due to injury. Though, the core of the team remains almost the same with Messi, Mascherano, Zanetti, Diego Milito and Cambiasso making it to the squad.

Announcing the team, Coach Sergio Batista said, “I have to see players, lots, and I do that in matches. I have to see if they can wear the national team shirt but I haven’t punished anyone. This is a good moment to try out some youngsters.”By youngsters, the coach points at the newcomers Winger Enzo Perez, Juan Manuel Martinez and Marcos Rojo, who have been called up for the first time.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Mariano Andujar (Catania), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmar)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Gabriel Milito (Barcelona), Nicolas Otamendi (FC Porto), Nicolas Pareja (Spartak Moscow), Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan).

Midfielders: Ever Banega (Valencia), Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Cristian Chavez (Boca Juniors), Jose Sosa (Napoli).

Forwards: Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Juan Manual Martinez (Velez Sarsfield), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Diego Milito (Inter Milan).

For Portugal, Quaresma makes a comeback following an injury break. The only big name missing is the sturdy defender Pepe who is suffering from an injury. Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga have been included in the star studded squad that also includes Nani and C.Ronaldo along with Liverpool’s Raul Meireles. Chelsea’s Bosingwa and world cup star, Fabio Coentrao will most probably start as the full backs. Coach Paulo Bento said, “We have to establish some stability in the team, create an identity, and we’re happy with how Almeida and Postiga have been playing and their attitude.”

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Genoa), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon), Ventura (Portimonense).

Defenders: Joao Pereira (Sporting Lisbon), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Carvalho (Real Madrid), Bruno Alves (Zenit St. Petersburg), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Paulo Machado (Toulouse), Carlos Martins (Benfica), Joao Moutinho (Porto), Miguel Veloso (Genoa), Raul Meireles (Liverpool), Nani (Manchester United), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).

Strikers: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St. Petersburg), Helder Postiga (Sporting Lisbon), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas).

Argentina and Portugal have faced each other just 6 times with Argentina winning 4 and Portugal winning just 1.