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Argentina team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Germany – Lionel Messi to miss friendly
Argentina will be without Lionel Messi and a host of other star names when they face Germany in Dortmund this evening (7.45pm BST).
Argentina vs Germany: Serge Gnabry practices goalkeeping
Lionel Messi is once again unavailable for Argentina when Lionel Scaloni’s side face Germany in an international friendly at the Signal Iduna Park.
The Barcelona talisman continues to serve a suspension following his comments in the wake of this summer’s Copa America.
Messi was given a straight red card after just 37 minutes of the third-place play-off against Chile in July following an altercation with Gary Medel.
The 32-year-old was then hit with a three-month ban from international football and a $50,000 fine for subsequently alleging the competition, won by hosts Brazil, was fixed.
Messi is not the only star performer unavailable this week with both Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria not included in the squad.
Meanwhile, a host of players are also missing due to the upcoming second leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-final between River Plate and Boca Juniors.
Esteban Andrada, Franco Armani, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Exequiel Palacios have all stayed at home for the clash, with River Plate currently holding a 2-0 advantage.
Scaloni is also without Giovani Lo Celso due to a hip injury while Joaquin Correa has a muscle problem and is sidelined.
Therefore Premier League stars Erik Lamela and Roberto Pereyra will hope to feature while Paulo Dybala should start in support of Lautaro Martinez.
Marco Acuna could occupy the left flank while Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo de Paul are the most likely combination in central midfield.
Juan Foyth and Renzo Saravia are in contention for the right-back slot while Manchester United ace Marcos Rojo should join Nicolas Otamendi in central defence.
Nicolas Tagliafico is expected to line up at left-back while Agustin Marchesin should start in goal ahead of Emiliano Martinez with Armani and Andrade not selected and Sergio Romero overlooked again.
Argentina predicted line-up vs Germany – International friendly
(4-3-3): Marchesin; Foyth, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Paredes, De Paul, Pereyra; Dybala, Acuna, Martinez