Argentina head into Copa America as one of the favorites to win the tournament, and Alexis Mac Allister’s role in the midfield has become clear after a warm-up friendly against Guatemala. Despite manager Lionel Scaloni not revealing the final squad list, Mac Allister is guaranteed to be included as a key player for his country.
In the friendly match against Guatemala, Mac Allister was restored to the starting lineup after being unused in the previous game against Ecuador. He played alongside Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park, and both are expected to start in Argentina’s Group A opener against Canada on June 21.
Although Argentina went behind early in the game due to Lisandro Martinez’s own goal, they showed their strength by securing a 4-1 victory. Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez both had standout performances, with Messi scoring twice and Martinez adding two goals of his own.
Argentina lined up in a system closer to a 4-4-2 formation, with Mac Allister partnering Fernandez in midfield. Valentin Carboni and Giovani Lo Celso were on the wings, making it an attacking lineup. Mac Allister played a crucial role in high-pressing and denying Guatemala time on the ball, with Argentina having only 28 percent possession. He won the ball consistently and completed 91 percent of his passes, showing his technical quality.
While it wasn’t his best performance, Mac Allister’s hard work and technical ability were evident throughout the game. Argentine newspaper Ole rated his performance a six out of 10, highlighting his improvement as the minutes passed. TyC Sports’ Gaston Recondo gave him a seven out of 10, praising his effort to press high and impact possession.
Despite the mixed reviews, Mac Allister remains an important player for Argentina. It is still uncertain how Argentina will line up in the upcoming Copa America matches, with both a 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 formation possible. However, Mac Allister’s prominent role in the team is guaranteed, as he is considered one of their most important players.