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Pedri against Argentina | The mail

Tokyo 2020 / Football

The match promises an exciting duel between two good teams with goal problems, as they have insisted on showing in the first two days, that they cannot conceive of staying in the first phase

Aser Phalagan

The two favorites of Group C, two of the candidates for the Olympic gold, meet today, Wednesday, at 1:00 p.m. (Spanish time) in a match that should be a procedure for both, but that can end – it is most likely – with one of them removed. Argentina has all the ballots, which is not worth a draw, but any outcome is possible. The Saitama stadium thus promises an exciting duel between two good teams with goal problems, as they have insisted on showing in the first two days, that they cannot conceive of staying in the first phase.

Spain arrives vindicated and in franchise. Football is cyclothymic and a solitary goal from Oyarzabal after 80 minutes of the game against Australia has transformed doubts into confidence. That is the atmosphere that is breathed outside, but it remains to be seen if it has also reached the locker room. At least the tie serves the interests of the Red, which defensive solidity has shown. The point is that the albiceleste is neither Egypt nor Australia, as much as it has not shown too much arrival at the moment.

Spain is the leader with four points and Argentina, third with three, the same as Australia. Consequently, a draw guarantees the pass, as the leader if the Aussies do not prevail over Egypt in the last game, and a victory secures it. However, both Spaniards and Argentines will pay for their setbacks on the first day, because having won their respective duels a draw would ensure the pass of both. Now, however, Argentina needs to win. A draw leaves it at the expense of Egypt beating Australia and a loss eliminates it.

Unai Simón is indisputable in goal and the defense seems stabilized with Óscar Gil, Eric García, Pau Torres and Cucurella. The midfield raises more doubts, especially while waiting to see if Luis de la Fuente lifts the punishment to Mikel Merino or not. With Ceballos ruled out at least until, in the best of cases, a hypothetical semifinal, Pedri will have to continue adding minutes and Zubimendi did not out of tune on Sunday. Carlos Soler was the third midfielder against Australia and aims to keep the position, although De la Fuente has alternatives.

Up front, Asensio’s good minutes on Sunday can give him back a title that Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo seem to have secured, while Mir will have, except for surprise, wait for his chance on the bench.

In Argentina Fernando Batista can bet on the same eleven that he lined up against Egypt, which improved the performance offered against Australia, with Colombatto and Valenzuela as major victims. It remains to be seen if Ponce will have a chance to try to give the albiceleste more flavor.

– Probable lineups:

  • Spain:
    Unai Simón, Óscar Gil, Eric García, Pau Torres, Cucurella, Zubimendi, Pedri, Carlos Soler or Miker Merino, Asensio, Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo.

  • Argentina:
    Ledesma, Nehuen Pérez, De la Fuente, Vera, Medina, Bravo, MacAllister, Payero, Barco, Gaich and De la Vega.

  • Stadium and time:
    Saitama Stadium, 13:00 (Spanish time).

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