Scaloni Names Nicolás González Left‑Back for Argentina vs Puerto Rico

When Nicolás González, the 26‑year‑old left‑winger for ACF Fiorentina, was handed the Argentine shirt for Saturday’s friendly, the buzz was immediate.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni announced the decision during a press conference at the Predio Técnico Celeste y Blanco in Ezeiza on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 3:45 PM ART. The match – an international friendly between Argentina and the Puerto Rico Football Federation – will be staged at the Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona in La Plata on October 18, 2025, kicking off at 8:30 PM ART.

Background and Tactical Shift

Argentina entered the game on the back of a 1‑0 World Cup qualifier win over Peru on October 10. In that match, González featured for 68 minutes on the left wing, showcasing the attacking spark that Scaloni values. Yet the Argentine side has been juggling a defensive dilemma since Marcos Acuña suffered a Grade‑2 lateral ankle sprain in a La Liga clash between Sevilla FC and Atlético Madrid on October 12.

Acuña’s injury, confirmed by a medical report dated October 13, is expected to sideline him for 10‑14 days. Rather than rush the veteran back, Scaloni opted for a ‘strategic adjustment’, as assistant coach Martín Demichelis put it. "Nicolás has demonstrated exceptional versatility in training, covering defensive duties while keeping his offensive instincts alive," Demichelis said.

Match Details and Logistics

• Date & time: Saturday, October 18, 2025 – 8:30 PM ART
• Venue: Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona, La Plata (capacity ≈ 50,000)
• Attendance expected: 45,000 spectators
• Match fee: $1.2 million USD paid by the Argentine Football Association to the Puerto Rican federation
• Broadcast rights revenue: $350,000 USD allocated to the AFA from DirecTV Sports Argentina

The Puerto Rican side arrived in Buenos Aires on October 15 via American Airlines flight AA987, checked into the Hilton Buenos Aires in Puerto Madero, and will depart for La Plata on the morning of the 18th. Their 23‑man squad, named by head coach Nelson Cossio, mixes 18 domestic‑league players with five overseas professionals, including goalkeeper José "Koke" Vegas of San Antonio FC.

Injury to Acuña and Squad Adjustments

The loss of Acuña – a stalwart who has earned 68 caps for Argentina since his debut in 2013 – forced Scaloni to re‑evaluate his back‑line depth. Medical director Guillermo Medical confirmed that all 26 squad members underwent comprehensive medical evaluations on October 13. González topped the lateral‑movement sprint test with a 98.7 % capacity, the highest among non‑defensive specialists.

While Acuña’s pre‑injury season average was 2.8 successful tackles per 90 minutes, González registered 3.2 in the same metric during this week’s training drills. The difference may appear marginal, but it gives Scaloni a cushion to preserve his high defensive line without sacrificing transition speed.

Expert Opinions and Tactical Analysis

Dr. María Soler, director of the CONMEBOL Technical Study Group, offered a nuanced take on the switch. "González’s 3.2 successful tackles per 90 minutes exceed Acuña’s current season average, yet his defensive recovery speed of 15.7 km/h sits about 8 % below the elite full‑back benchmark. It’s a calculated risk, but one that could pay off if the team maintains possession and limits opposition counters," she explained.

From a historical standpoint, González has already proven his defensive mettle. On February 17, 2024, he filled in at left‑back for Fiorentina in a 2‑1 Serie A victory over Inter Milan, completing 120 minutes with an 87 % pass‑accuracy rate.

Implications for World Cup Preparation

Argentina sits atop the FIFA World Ranking – #1 since December 2022 – and the upcoming 2026 World Cup looms large. AFA president Claudio Tapia stressed that the friendly is an "experimental lineup" intended to test squad flexibility. "Depth matters more than ever," he said, “and having players like González who can flip between wing and full‑back gives us tactical breathing room.”

For Puerto Rico, currently ranked #146, the match is a key preparation point for the 2026 CONCACAF Nations League. Their coach Cossio hopes the friendly will expose his side to the intensity of top‑tier opposition and highlight areas needing refinement before the league campaign.

What Comes Next

After the October 18 fixture, González is slated to hop back to Italy, boarding Alitalia flight AZ392 from Ezeiza on October 19 at 10:30 AM ART. He will rejoin Fiorentina ahead of their Serie A clash with SSC Napoli on October 26.

Scaloni, meanwhile, will likely assess the left‑back experiment and decide whether to keep González in that role for the next set of qualifiers. The decision could shape the squad’s approach to the World Cup, where injuries and suspensions often force coaches to think outside the traditional eleven.