Argentina coach Scaloni to miss WCup qualifier due to virus

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is not going to journey for Thursday’s World Cup qualifying match towards Chile after testing optimistic for COVID-19.

Scaloni informed a information convention Wednesday that his assistants Walter Samuel and Roberto Ayala might be in cost for the match. Argentina has already secured a spot on the event in Qatar, whereas Chile remains to be in competition.

“I'm effectively, recovered. However the PCR stays optimistic,“ Scaloni mentioned.

Argentina famous person Lionel Messi will even be absent as he continues to get better from the virus. Paulo Dybala is anticipated to be his substitute within the crew’s beginning lineup.

“I talked to (Messi) after he examined optimistic for COVID. It affected him quite a bit, he had the roughest variant,“ Scaloni mentioned. “It is crucial that he recovers, feels match as a result of there might be necessary moments forward.”

The virus has additionally affected Chile, with defenders Mauricio Isla and Francisco Sierralta and winger Jean Meneses out.

Brazil and Argentina have each certified for the World Cup, with two extra automated spots up for grabs in South American qualifying. The fifth-place crew advances to a playoff towards an Asian opponent. Solely last-place Venezuela, with seven factors, is out of competition.

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