Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni will not be available for Thursday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chile after testing positive for COVID-19. (More Football News)
Scaloni told a news conference on Wednesday that his assistants Walter Samuel and Roberto Ayala would be in charge of the match. Argentina has already secured a berth in the tournament in Qatar, while Chile is still in contention.
“I’m fine, I’ve ed. But the PCR is still positive,” Scaloni said. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will also be absent as he continues with the virus. Paulo Dybala is expected to update him in the team’s starting lineup. up.
“I spoke to (Messi) after he tested positive for COVID. It affected him a lot, he had the hardest variant,” Scaloni said. “It’s that he recovers, that he feels that he has compatibility because there will be moments ahead. “
The virus has also affected Chile, with the absence of defenders Mauricio Isla and Francisco Sierralta and winger Jean Meneses. Brazil and Argentina have qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with two more places up for grabs in the South American qualifiers.
The fifth-seeded team qualifies for the playoffs against an Asian opponent. Only Venezuela, last with seven points, is out of contention.