Aguero or Falcao: Picking a Combined Argentina-Colombia Best XI
Neither Argentina nor Colombia have shown their best sides so far in the Copa America. But the pair are safely through to the quarter-finals of the tournament nevertheless, and Friday's clash promises to be a fascinating encounter between two teams packed with talent.
Interestingly, both head coaches for the game in Vina del Mar, Gerardo Martino and Jose Pekerman, come from Argentina. If the pair were to oversee a mix of the best of both nations, who would make it into the first team out of the 46 men included in both squads?
From the battle between Sergio Romero and David Ospina between the posts to the headache of trying to accommodate James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao and Carlos Bacca alongside Argentina's all-star attacking lineup, here is the best XI the Albiceleste and the Cafeteros could put out right now.
One thing is certain: This team would not be short of goalscoring potential.
Goalkeepers
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With 56 and 62 appearances in national colours respectively, there is no shortage of experience between the posts for both Colombia and Argentina. David Ospina and Sergio Romero both took over the No. 1 jerseys for their respective countries a relatively young age, and despite a few wobbles, they have gone on to make them their own.
Having faced serious questioning since taking control of the position, Romero answered his critics in emphatic fashion during the World Cup. A string of impressive clean sheets and heroics in the semi-final shootout against Netherlands made Chiquito a cult hero for the Albiceleste.
But here, the towering 'keeper will have to watch from the bench. Arsenal's Ospina has been an unwavering performer for Colombia since breaking into the first team, and despite several injuries holding him back, his consistency makes him a worthy candidate for this team's last line of defence.
Defence
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For the last few years, it has been the attacking force of each nation that has taken most of the headlines. However, both Argentina and Colombia have proved that those at the back are no pushovers—particularly the Albiceleste, whose run to the World Cup final in 2014 was built on the back of clean sheets.
Two members of the back four that lost out to Germany make the cut here. Pablo Zabaleta has a wealth of experience, and with the rest of the team taking on a distinctly offensive tone, his merits as a pure defender win out over Juan Cuadrado. Inside him will be the marshal of Brazil 2014, Ezequiel Garay.
Colombia's bruisers, however, are not far behind. Jeison Murillo's goalscoring heroics and rapid climb up the footballing ladder are recognised with a place in the centre of defence, beating out Cafetero partner Cristian Zapata and Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi. Pablo Armero, meanwhile, beats out the feisty Marcos Rojo by a hair to line up at left-back.
Midfield
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By choosing to emulate Argentina's 4-3-3 formation with this XI, the midfield choices must be appropriately balanced. The Albiceleste have taken two straight wins using a pair of holding men alongside a more offensive-minded player to link up with the attack.
With that in mind, two of the spots almost fill themselves. Anchoring the team will be Argentina's shaven-headed pit bull Javier Mascherano, sitting in front of the back four and constantly biting and harrying from deep. In the more offensive role is a player from the other side of the Barcelona-Real Madrid divide.
James Rodriguez has only shown his true talent in fits and starts at the Copa America so far. But the Colombia No. 10 is a wonderful playmaker who also knows Argentinian football well, having triumphed in the 2009 Apertura as a teenager at Banfield.
The last place in midfield is occupied by one of his Cafetero companions. Carlos Sanchez wins out over Lucas Biglia by a tiny margin. Sanchez has been rewarded for his unstinting efforts to keep an off-colour Colombia side together in the competition to date.
Attack
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With two of the best strike forces in the world to choose from, it is extremely difficult to form the best attack. Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Carlos Tevez line up on the Argentina side; while for the Cafeteros, Radamel Falcao, Carlos Bacca and Jackson Martinez all have proven goalscoring potential.
To make the choice a little more straightforward, the forward trident will be heavily influenced by current form. In that case, there is at least one automatic selection: Messi. The Barcelona man has enjoyed a sparkling 2015 and will take up the right-hand side position he plays at club level.
Albiceleste team-mate Aguero may not have the same physical presence as Falcao up front, but with two goals so far in the Copa America, El Kun more than deserves to pull on the No. 9 shirt at centre-forward. Completing the line-up is Di Maria, who has the pace and talent to stretch any defence out wide.
The Best Combined Argentina-Colombia XI
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