Humberto Grondona has named his 21-player squad for the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand that will kick off on May 30th. Fresh from their South American championship triumph at the start of the year, Argentina will now try and reclaim the trophy that they have not won since 2007. Once again, Atlético Madrid’s Ángel Correa will lead the side but he is backed by a talented squad desperate to give Argentina a seventh title at this level.
Argentina start their campaign on May 30th against Panama before competing with Ghana and Austria in group B. The African sides are usually strong at this level and so Ghana will likely provide the biggest test to Grondona’s side in this first stage.
The step up will certainly mean that Argentina will need to rely less on the individual talents of Correa, who at times dragged the side to victory in Uruguay. Giovani Simeone is also less likely to have as many chances in front of goal but his role as the sides number nine will be equally important as it was when he ended leading scorer in the South American championship.
Simeone and his River teammate, Sebastián Driussi will be important in the final third for La Albiceleste and at the other end, a third River player, Emanuel Mammana will be key. Since helping the side lift the South American championship, Mammana has further enhanced his reputation with performances for the River first team and he is now said to be nearing a switch to Europe.
Grondona is likely to have angered River and rivals Boca by selecting these players as they are still all involved in their respective clubs Copa Libertadores campaigns. They face each other this week but the winning side will obviously progress to the quarter finals and if they do not join up with the national side then they would be breaching FIFA regulations.
Goalkeepers
Augusto Batalla (River Plate)
José Devecchi (San Lorenzo)
Agustín Rossi (Estudiantes)
golazo argentino 