Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza thinks Sergio Aguero will have no trouble in taking over responsibilities for the injured Paulo Dybala in the match against Chile. Aguero joins Argentina’s roster of strikers that also includes Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi.
Aguero’s recent performances have convinced coach Edgardo Bauza to recall the striker for international duty. The Manchester City player has scored seven goals in his last seven appearances for the English side. Aguero’s call-up is also the result of an injury for Juventus player Paulo Dybala.
Bauza believes Aguero will have no trouble adapting to his duties. According to the manager the player is back on form and ready to use this opportunity.
“For me, [Aguero] is the best we have as Dybala isn’t available,” Bauza said ahead of Thursday’s World Cup qualifying clash. “I think he is going through a good patch; he’s got back to his best level and won his place back in the [City] team. Alongside Messi, Higuain and Di Maria, he can be a very harmful attacking forward.”
“It’s that simple, with no twists, and he [Aguero] is simply having a better time of things at the moment than the others.”
Bauza has opted to bring in familiar faces such as Aguero and Ezequiel Lavezzi. However, Mauro Icardi is again out of the squad despite good performances for Inter this season. The coach is known to show support for his players even at difficult times. And his roster of players usually involve rather conservative choices. Bauza talked about the trust he offered Higuain after defeats in 2014’s World Cup and at the Copa America tournament.
“I gave [Higuain] all my trust and he knows that,” the coach added. “For me, he was the starting striker and he still is. I’m very confident with him, very.”
Bauza also spoke about the role Messi’s to have against Chile. Higuain and Aguero will most likely start in attack for Argentina. This will leave Messi with a role offering the Barcelona player more freedom on the pitch.
“[Messi] starts playing in a position, but is not a fixed one and then, obviously, according to what the opposition does, this position could change,” he said.
“But the last time hardly anyone got the better of him. So he will start in a position, but he has all the freedom to move as he always does, and then we will see how the opposition reacts to that.”
Argentina are hopeful they can secure the points against old rivals Chile. Previously, Chile came out victorious against Argentina in the last two Copa America finals. The teams are now fighting for one of the top four spots and a place to next year’s World Cup.