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Argentina team news: Predicted 4-3-1-2 line up vs Brazil – Messi in support of Aguero
ARGENTINA will hope Lionel Messi is on the top of his game when they face Brazil in the semi-finals of the Copa America.
Copa America: Messi is a 'big talking point' says pundit
La Albiceleste have had an inconsistent tournament so far, slipping to a shock defeat against Colombia in their opening match and drawing with Paraguay before bouncing back against Qatar.
Lionel Scaloni’s side then comfortably saw off Venezuela in the quarter-finals to set up a meeting with arch-rivals Brazil in Belo Horizonte.
However, Argentina and their talisman Messi will need to be at their best to overcome the Copa America hosts who are unbeaten so far in the competition.
Manager Scaloni will be tempted to name an unchanged side against the Selecao, with Tottenham defender Juan Foyth likely to deputise at right-back once more.
German Pezzella should continue in central defence alongside Nicolas Otamendi while Nicolas Tagliafico is a certain choice at left-back.
Rodrigo De Paul will hope to keep his spot in the midfield trio next to Leandro Paredes and Marcos Acuna, meaning Giovanni Lo Celso will have to watch on from the bench once more.
And in attack, Messi should be deployed as a No 10 supporting Sergio Aguero and Lautaro Martinez after the latter hit the target last time out against Venezuela.
Speaking about his line-up after the win on Friday, Scaloni said: “We made the goal quickly, we settled in. There were 10, 15 minutes that they handled the ball but without complicating us.
"You analyse the game according to what you need, and everyone is there to play.
"That Messi is on the field is an essential contribution for us."
Messi took an indefinite hiatus away from international football following the 2018 World Cup, but returned to the fold earlier this year.
The 32-year-old was on target from the penalty spot against Paraguay in the group stages and could be facing his final chance to secure a Copa America winner’s medal – with Argentina having failed to triumph in a major international tournament since 1993.
Copa America: There's a lot of pressure on Brazil says pundit
Argentina predicted line-up vs Brazil – Copa America semi-final
(4-3-1-2): Armani; Foyth, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Acuna; Messi; Martinez, Aguero