Lo Celso is irreplaceable says Scaloni as Argentina sweat on midfielder’s injury

Coach Lionel Scaloni has expressed concerns about Argentina’s lack of a ready replacement for midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who is at risk of missing the World Cup due to a hamstring injury. The team is already grappling with injuries to Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria, and losing Lo Celso, a pivotal figure in their Copa America triumph and World Cup qualification, would be a significant setback.

Lo Celso plays a crucial role in Scaloni’s midfield setup alongside Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo de Paul. While there may be numerical replacements, Scaloni emphasized that there is no direct football-wise substitute for Lo Celso, given the unique contributions he brings to the team.

The 26-year-old Lo Celso sustained a muscle rupture injury during Villarreal’s LaLiga match against Athletic Bilbao, and the severity is under assessment. Scaloni mentioned that bringing him to Argentina for evaluation seems unnecessary, preferring that he undergoes treatment with the trained staff at Villarreal.

Scaloni also raised concerns about the challenges of playing the World Cup amidst the club season and criticized the demanding schedule of club matches in October. He emphasized the need for players to arrive fit for the World Cup, considering the constraints of the schedule.

Argentina is scheduled to play a warm-up match against the United Arab Emirates on Nov. 16 before their World Cup Group C opener against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 22. The group stage also includes matches against Mexico and Poland.