Argentina - Venezuela

International Friendly Match

This will be the first match for these 2 National teams, as part of their Copa America preparation. Argentina is set as high favorite, but just a quick look at their roster would make anyone change it's mind. This is barely even a B team... more like a C team, with all the called-up players performing in the local league, and 3 quarters of these players are debutant with the national team. The 'most experienced' player in the squad is defender Luciano Monzon, from Boca, with 4 appearances for the team, and he is also the only one with more than 1 selection. Now, if we look from what teams they come from, we see big names: Boca, Independiente, Velez, etc. But with none of these teams impressing in the league (Boca and Independiente have actually been awful recently), and with the players likely tired and with their minds somewhere else, I don't think we'll see much determination, although this could be their chance to catch the squad for Copa America. Anyway, manager Batista will probably just want to see how his players act, not expecting any magic, since this will be the first time they perform together. Some last-minute injuries (Julian Velasquez - DF from Independiente, Franco Razzotti - MF from Velez, Martinez - FW from Velez) have also left them with just 19 players, and with only 2 pure strikers: Defederico and Mouche, both with poor performances recently. Venezuela will bring a more experienced team, with most of their regulars, and I expect them to give a decent fight. And I also expect it to be hard for Argentina to score, as they will lack any individual talents like Messi, Tevez, Aguero, etc, and group unity should also be flawed. GL!

Venezuela (+1.5 AH) @ 1.88, 4/10

Result: 4-1, LOST