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Argentina will face Colombia in the semi-final of Copa America 2021 tonight, with the winner to face Brazil in the final.
Argentina are the favourites to win the game, but Colombia have the quality to cause the Albiceleste a few problems. Manager Lionel Scaloni has not shied from rotating his first XI at Copa America 2021, but he is expected to play an unchanged XI that started against Ecuador in the quarter-final.
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Lionel Messi has been the best player in the tournament and will be keen to win a long-overdue international trophy with the national team. Argentina have done well so far, but will have to be at their very best against Colombia.
On that note, let's take a look at the best possible starting XI for Argentina in the Copa America 2021 semi-final.
Argentina Goalkeeper - Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
Emiliano Martinez has been the first-choice goalkeeper for Argentina at Copa America 2021, and he looks set to the start in the semi-final against Colombia.
Martinez was one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League last season. After a plethora of loan spells while at Arsenal, the 28-year-old flourished last season at Aston Villa, featuring in every league game for Dean Smith's men.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man was crucial in helping Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2019-2, and will be keen to make his mark at Copa America 2021. Featuring in the semi-final of a major international tournament, Martinez has had an impressive rise, as he only made his Argentina debut this year.
Other options: Franco Armani (River Plate), Agustin Marchesin (Porto), Juan Musso (Atalanta).
Also Read: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Updates on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's futures, Arsenal active in the transfer market. and more.
Right-back - Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate)
Argentina's Gonzalo Montiel has spent his entire career with River Plate and is now slowly establishing himself as a regular in the La Albiceleste setup.
Montiel will be competing with Udinese's Nahuel Molina for the right-back spot in the semi-final of Copa America 2021. The RIver Plate right-back is a highly-rated player who has won nine caps for his national side, but both Molina and Montiel are not much experienced.
The 24-year-old Montiel has been linked with moves to Lyon and West Ham United in recent weeks. So a strong showing in the remainder of Copa America 2021 could increase interest in him.
Centre-back - Cristian Romero (Atalanta)
Cristian Romero's fitness remains a big question after the centre-back missed Argentina's Copa America 2021 quarter-final against Ecuador.
Fiorentina's German Pezzella took his place, but Argentina would benefit with the return of Romero. The 23-year-old is regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in Serie A. His performances have piqued the interest of clubs like Manchester United.
Romero is good on the ball and strong defensively and will likely start if he is fully fit. Colombia's attack could cause fewer problems with Romero in Argentina's defence.
Centre-back - Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica)
Nicolas Otamendi has been the first-choice centre-back for Argentina for some time now. He will likely start the Copa America 2021 semi-final, barring any unfortunate injury.
Otamendi's style of defending has often raised question marks, but it is difficult to deny the centre-back's quality. Otamendi was a crucial cog in Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, making 210 appearances in all competitions before joining Benfica last summer.
The 33-year-old has won 78 caps for Argentina and is one of their more experienced players in their Copa America 2021 squad.
Left-back - Marcos Acuna (Sevilla)
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni will have to choose between Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico and Sevilla's Marcos Acuna for the Copa America 2021 semi-final; Acuna is likely to get the nod.
Tagliafico did not enjoy the best of seasons with Ajax and has struggled in Copa America 2021 as well. Acuna, meanwhile, enjoyed a decent debut season with Sevilla, making 26 league starts as a left-back.
The 29-year-old, who joined Sevilla from Sporting CP last summer, is a good crosser and a consistent performer. Acuna started in the quarter-final and should be in Argentina's first XI for the semi-final.
Other options: Nahuel Molina (Udinese), German Pezzella (Fiorentina), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina), Lisandro Martinez (Ajax), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax).
Also Read: Copa America 2021: 5 best defenders in the tournament so far.
Central Midfielder - Rodrigo De Paul (Udinese)
Rodrigo De Paul scored his first goal for Argentina in the Copa America 2021 quarter-final against Ecuador. There is more good news on the way for him if reports are to believed.
De Paul is closing in a move to Atletico Madrid amid intense transfer speculation in recent seasons. The 27-year-old was Udinese's star last season, with his creativity and dribbling from midfield key to his club's performances.
The former Valencia man will be tasked with providing Argentina some much-needed creativity from midfield in the Copa America 2021 semi-final.
Central Midfielder - Leandro Paredes (Paris Saint-Germain)
Like Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes started for Argentina in the Copa America 2021 quarter-final, and it is likely that he will keep his place in the XI for the semi-final too.
Paredes has done well at Paris Saint-Germain, with his quality evident, especially during Champions League games. A good passer, Paredes is also capable of operating as a defensive midfielder. The 27-year old looks to set the tempo of games with his excellent vision and passing prowess.
The former Zenit Saint Petersburg man made 16 starts in Ligue 1 last season, scoring one goal and providing two assists. Paredes' influence in midfield could prove to be crucial for Argentina in the Copa America 2021 semi-finals.
Central Midfielder - Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)
Exequiel Palacios' career has not gone according to plan so far, with the midfielder barely featuring for Bayer Leverkusen since joining the club in January 2020.
Palacios made just seven starts in the Bundesliga last season for Bayer Leverkusen due to injury. The 22-year-old was highly rated during his River Plate days and was even linked with Real Madrid before he joined the Bundesliga side.
Giovani Lo Celso started in midfield for Argentina in the Copa America 2021 quarter-final, with Palacios an unused substitute. The youngster could get his career back on track with a good performance in the Copa America 2021 semi-final, though.
Other options: Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Dominguez (Bologna), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis)
Also Read: Copa America 2021: 5 best forwards in the tournament so far.
Right Winger - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Arguably the greatest player to have ever played the game, Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been the best player at Copa America 2021 so far.
The Barcelona superstar has four goals and as many assists at the tournament so far and has led his team from the front. There is little to criticise as far as Messi's Copa America 2021 performances are concerned as he continues to be the talisman for club and country.
The 34-year-old is currently negotiating a new deal with Barcelona, with his current deal having expired a few days ago. There is hope that the forward will sign a new deal with the Camp Nou outfit.
Centre Forward - Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Lautaro Martinez got a goal in Argentina's Copa America 2021 quarter-final and should start ahead of Barcelona's Sergio Aguero in the semi-final.
One of the best young forwards in the game, Martinez was in stunning form for Inter Milan last season. He made 30 Serie A starts, scoring 17 goals and providing six assists as Antonio Conte's men won the league title.
The 23-year-old is seen as the present and the future of the Argentina national team. His performances have seen Aguero reduced to a bench role. Martinez could cause immense problems to the Colombian defence.
Left Winger - Papu Gomez (Sevilla)
Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez could start ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's Angel Di Maria and Fiorentina's Nicolas Gonzalez on the left wing in Argentina's Copa America 2021 semi-final.
Gomez is a legend of Atalanta but made news in December last year after an ugly spat with manager Gian Piero Gasperini. He subsequently joined Sevilla in January and made 11 La Liga starts, scoring three goals and providing an assist.
A highly creative forward, Gomez can play anywhere across the forward line. The 33-year-old is a diminutive player who can cause great damage with his passing and playmaking abilities in the Copa America 2021 semi-final.
Other options: Sergio Aguero (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Joaquin Correa (Lazio), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Julian Alvarez (River Plate)
Also Read: Argentina vs Colombia- 5 key battles | Copa America 2021 semi-final.
