Lionel Scaloni has dropped significant hints regarding his starting line-up following Argentina’s final training session ahead of the highly anticipated grand finale. The reigning world champions completed their tactical preparations under challenging conditions, arguably gaining a psychological and physical edge over their opponents, Spain, who chose a vastly different approach to the disruptive weather.
Weather Disruption and Tactical Advantages
The final training session, held on Saturday afternoon at the Red Bulls Performance Centre in New Jersey, did not go strictly to plan. Inclement weather, characteristically heavy rain and severe storms, delayed the squad’s scheduled pitch time. Whilst Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish side opted to cancel their outdoor training entirely—adhering strictly to the United States’ stringent storm safety protocols—the Argentine coaching staff chose to wait out the worst of the deluge.
Once the elements subsided slightly, Scaloni’s men took to the field. Before emerging onto the pitch, the players spent extended time in the gymnasium, a deviation from the initial schedule. The first 15 minutes of the session were open to the media, revealing a squad highly focused despite the logistical hurdles. By braving the damp conditions, Argentina managed to log crucial minutes on the grass, a luxury denied to the Spanish squad who were confined to indoor recovery work.
Formations and Selection Surprises
The core talking point of the afternoon revolved around Scaloni’s distribution of the training bibs. As is standard practice for the manager, 13 bibs were handed out during the tactical drills, but the selection offered several surprises that could dictate the blueprint of the final.
The most notable alteration was at right-back. Gonzalo Montiel was handed a starting bib ahead of Nahuel Molina, suggesting a potential defensive reshuffle designed to neutralise Spain’s pace on the flanks. Montiel, renowned for his defensive resilience and big-match temperament, remains a strong candidate to start, though Scaloni kept his final decision close to his chest.
In addition to the ten players who formed the core of the side that faced England, both Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo De Paul were heavily involved in the primary tactical shapes. De Paul, the Inter Miami midfielder, appears to be locked in a direct battle for a starting berth with Giuliano Simeone. Meanwhile, Real Betis midfielder Lo Celso is firmly in line to replace Leandro Paredes, who has been struggling to regain full match fitness ahead of the clash.
Scaloni’s Scheduling Frustrations
The chaotic nature of Saturday’s session followed a tense Friday, where Scaloni publicly voiced his displeasure regarding the tournament’s official scheduling and media obligations. The manager did not hide his frustration at how administrative requirements disrupted his team’s momentum.
“We were forced to train at a time we simply did not want,” Scaloni told reporters during his official press conference. “Because of the media commitments, we had to rush through our routines in a very strange manner, which prevented us from properly testing our tactical variations.”
Despite these logistical grievances and the unpredictable New Jersey weather, Argentina head into the final with grass sessions under their belt, leaving Spain to rely heavily on indoor briefings and theoretical preparation. Whether Scaloni’s hinted selection gambles will pay off remains to be seen when the first whistle blows.