Argentina arrives at the 2024 Copa America with high aspirations, aiming to bounce back after winning in Brazil three years ago. But alas, Paulo Dybala will have to watch from home again.
The AS Roma star, who was not called up in 2021, has been dropped from Argentina’s roster in 2024. As in the previous year, Dybala is not playing in this year’s Copa America due to a tactical decision by coach Lionel Scaloni.
The former Juventus playmaker never played much on the international stage and that didn’t change when Scaloni took over in 2018. Unfortunately, Argentina always had too many options in Dybal’s position and his style of play never seemed to fit. to Lionel Messi, who also acts as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers.
In a press conference ahead of the Copa America, Scaloni admitted that leaving out Dybala was a difficult decision, but one he felt was necessary for the best of the national team.
“Not just him. When you leave a player out, especially in the conditions we had to do, it’s always difficult. We have a special affection for him, but we always say the team comes first,” Scaloni said. “Given the circumstances in the positions, especially in which we had some problems. We know what he gave us. There are decisions and we left Dybala out with all the pain in the world.”
Why is Paulo Dybala not play Copa America 2024?
While Messi’s presence already gives Dybal little space in the lineup, Scaloni has many other options that make Paul’s presence a difficult task. When Messi is not on the pitch, Argentina usually play with three midfielders and two wings along with a striker.
The center of the park is usually occupied by the likes of Rodrigo de Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister or Enzo Fernandez. Up front, Scaloni can count on Messi, Angelo Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez and now Valentino Carboni.
Ultimately, Argentina can only take the field with 11 players, and although there is room for 26 in the Copa America squad, the coach felt Dybala would not get many opportunities to make an impact.
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