Scaloni considers lineup changes for Argentina's final against Spain

Severe weather in New Jersey disrupted Argentina's final practice session ahead of their match against Spain, forcing coach Lionel Scaloni to conduct limited ball work indoors. Despite the challenging conditions, Scaloni used the session to signal potential lineup adjustments, notably the possible return of midfielder Rodrigo De Paul and right-back Gonzalo Montiel.

During the 15 minutes open to the press, observers noted Montiel receiving the right-back bibs, suggesting he may start over Nahuel Molina, who has struggled to replicate his club form during the tournament. While Julián Álvarez and Lionel Messi were present, the midfield setup included Enzo Fernández, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, and potentially De Paul, Giuliano Simeone, and Giovani Lo Celso. Scaloni often uses these open sessions to showcase his tactical options.

De Paul appears to be favored to reclaim a starting spot. Although Simeone performed admirably against England with his pressing and attacking verve, Scaloni seems inclined to trust the player with more appearances during his tenure. De Paul, who was benched for the semifinal but entered as a key player in the comeback, is seen as a crucial element.

Scaloni has not yet revealed the definitive lineup to his players and will do so during the pre-match team talk. While he had previously indicated that physical condition might influence his choices, all players trained together without apparent issues, except for Cristian Romero who managed his fatigue. The final selections will therefore be tactical, incorporating Scaloni's characteristic intuition for decisive matches.

Meanwhile, Spain is also preparing for the World Cup final against Argentina, with coach Luis de la Fuente finalizing his own starting eleven.