By Louis Smith.
This week sees the return of international fixtures for the first time since the Copa America in July.
South American sides will be taking part in friendlies in preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers kicking off in March 2020.
Due to the games being friendlies, the majority, of teams have opted to rest key names and take a look at new faces.
Argentina
Argentina, like many of the South American teams, have rested big stars in order to take a look at some of the talent elsewhere.
Argentina has called up seven players who are yet to feature for the La Albiceleste.
They are: Leonard Balerdi, Nicolás Figal, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Nicolás Domínguez, Alexis Mac Alister, Lucas Ocampos and Adolfo Gaich.
Also coming into the squad is West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini and Watford’s Roberto Pereyra.
Lionel Messi will miss out due to recent injury problems, while other big names such as Sergio Agüero and Angel Di Maria are also absent.
Lautaro Martinez will be hoping to impress Argentina fans again following his impressive Copa America performances, and is certainly a player to watch.
Alexis Mac Allister has impressed during his short spell at Boca Juniors, scoring two goals, one in the Libertadores Cup.
He is currently on loan from premier league club Brighton. One for the future maybe?
Definately one to look out for during the upcoming matches.
Argentina Fixtures
Argentina vs Chile | Kick-off – 03:00 AM (GMT) 06/09/2019
Argentina vs Mexico | Kick-off – 03:00 AM (GMT) 11/09/2019
Argentina Squad
Goalkeepers: Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada, Franco Armani
Defenders: German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Marcos Rojo, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Figal
Midfielders: Marcos Acuña, Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Manuel Lanzini, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Matías Zaracho, Nicolás Domínguez, Alexis Mac Allister, Lucas Ocampos
Forwards: Paulo Dybala, Joaquin Correa, Lautaro Martinez, Adolfo Gaich, Lucas Alario
Bolivia
Bolivia has changed managers since the Copa America, and taking charge is former Venezuela manager, Cesar Farias, who has previously managed Bolivia in a caretaker role. His first spell in charge will only contain one fixture.
The first squad Farias has selected contains just one non-domestic based player — Alejandro Chumacero who plays in Mexico.
Only two players are in contention for a first cap and they are, goalkeeper Jorge Arauz, and Defender Luis Demiquel.
Demiquel is the youngest player in the Bolivia squad at just 19 years old.
Bolivia Fixtures
Ecuador vs Bolivia | Kick-off – 01:00 AM (GMT) 11/09/2019
Bolivia Squad
Goalkeepers: Daniel Vaca, Jorge Araúz
Defenders: Marvin Bejarano, Diego Bejarano, Gabriel Valverde, Enrique Flores, Adrián Jusino, Óscar Ribera, Sebastián Reyes, Luis Demiquel
Midfielders: Jhasmani Campos, Alejandro Chumacero, Raúl Castro, Leonel Justiniano, Fernando Saucedo, Paul Arano, Rudy Cardozo, Leonardo Vaca
Forwards: Gilbert Álvarez, Rodrigo Ramallo, Juan Carlos Arce, Vladimir Castellón, Carlos Saucedo
Brazil
Brazil is due to travel to the USA during the upcoming international break. These will be their first games since they were victorious in the Copa America final in which they defeated Peru.
Manager Tite has recalled some old faces as well as bringing in some new ones.
Alisson will miss the fixtures due to an injury picked up on the first game of the new Premier League season.
Cassio, who has been Brazil third-choice goalkeeper, has been replaced Weverton, and young Ponte Preta goalkeeper Ivan has also earned a first call-up.
Like Ivan, Vinicius Junior, Samir, and Bruno Henrique will be hoping to make their debuts.
Neymar is part of the squad despite not playing any first-team football since he went off injured vs Qatar back in June.
Fabinho, who missed out on the Copa America despite having an impressive club campaign with Liverpool, returns to the squad and he will hope to make himself a regular in the team as Tite looks to ship out old faces.
With the International fixtures clashing with Brazilian Cup matches, Grêmio’s star of the show in the Copa America, Everton Soares, misses out.
Brazil Fixtures
Brazil vs Colombia | Kick-off – 1:30 AM (GMT) 07/09/2019
Peru vs Brazil | Kick-off – 04:00 AM (GMT) 11/09/2019
Brazil Squad
Goalkeepers: Ivan, Ederson, Weverton
Defenders: Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Samir, Alex Sandro, Éder Militão, Samir, Fagner
Midfielders: Philippe Coutinho, Casemiro, Fabinho, Arthur, Allan, Lucas Paquetá,
Forwards: Roberto Firmino, Richarlison, Neymar, David Neres, Bruno Henrique, Vinicius Junior
Chile
Semi-finalists at the Copa America, Chile, have opted to rest the majority of the key figures which helped them get there.
Big names such as Gary Medel, and Arturo Vidal miss out, while Jean Beausejour has called it quits on national team duties.
New Inter Milan loanee, Alexis Sánchez, will be part of the Chile squad, as will Claudio Bravo, who comes into the Chile side for the first time in two years.
Six potential debutants have been called up — Christian Bravo, Felipe Campos, Guillermo Soto, Tomás Alarcón, Claudio Baeza and Jean Meneses.
All will be keen to impress the boss, Reinaldo Rueda, and earn a place in the side when competitive action begins in March.
Chile Fixtures
Chile vs Argentina | Kick-off – 03:00AM (GMT) 06/09/2019
Honduras vs Chile | Kick-off – 02:30 AM (GMT) 11/09/2019
Chile Squad
Goalkeepers: Gabriel Arias, Brayan Cortés, Claudio Bravo
Defenders: Paulo Díaz, Guillermo Soto, Igor Lichnovsky, Sebastián Vegas, Óscar Opazo, Jose Bizama, Felipe Campos, Alfonso Parot, Francisco Sierralta
Midfielders: Charles Aránguiz, Diego Valdés, Tomás Alarcón, Claudio Baeza, Jean Meneses, César Pinares, Felipe Gutiérrez
Forwards: Diego Rubio, Christian Bravo, Ignacio Jeraldino, Ángelo Sagal, Eduardo Vargas, Alexis Sánchez
Colombia
Carlos Quieiroz and Colombia will be without vice-captain and captain James Rodríguez and Radamel Falcao as they take on Brazil and Venezuela.
Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos hasn’t made the cut despite his recent positive form for Rangers, but when Morelos has played for the Colombia national team he has looked out of his depth.
Players called up who are in line for a first national team appearance are – Aldair Quintana, Edér Chaux, Rafael Santos Borré and Yairo Moreno. All except Moreno, play their club football in South America.
David Ospina is expected to make his 100th appearance for the Colombian national team.
Colombia Fixtures
Brazil vs Colombia | Kick-off – 01:30AM (GMT) 07/09/2019
Colombia vs Venezuela | Kick-off – 02.00AM (GMT) 11/09/2019
Colombia Squad
Goalkeepers: David Ospina, Álvaro Montero, Aldair Quintana, Edér Chaux
Defenders: Jeison Murillo, Davinson Sánchez, Yerry Mina, William Tesillo, Luis Orejuela, Stefan Medina, Óscar Murillo, Cristian Borja
Midfielders: Wílmar Barrios, Mateus Uribe, Jefferson Lerma, Jorman Campuzano, Juan Cuadrado
Forwards: Luis Muriel, Duván Zapata, Orlando Berrio, Luis Díaz, Rafael Santos Borre, Yairo Moreno, Roger Martinez
Ecuador
The Ecuador national team are without a permanent manager at the moment, but are due to announce one in September.
For the time being U20s manager, Jorge Celico, will take charge, and as you would expect he has picked seven players who are age 20 or below.
With the recent success of the Ecuador national team at U20 level, winning the South American U20 tournament in Chile back in January and finishing third at the U20 World Cup in Poland, maybe it’s time to bring some of the youngsters through.
Celico has opted to pick 12 uncapped players, meaning the Ecuador starting eleven will look very different to the one which struggled in the Copa America.
One player to watch out for is forward Leonardo Campana, who in nine appearances for the U20s, found the net six times.
The key to the success at U20s level for Ecuador was their defence, and it will be interesting to see how Jackson Porozo and Jhon Espinosa perform.
Ecuador Fixtures
Peru vs Ecuador | Kick-off – 01.00AM (GMT) 06/09/2019
Ecuador vs Bolivia | Kick-off – 00.30AM (GMT) 11/09/2019
Ecuador Squad
Goalkeepers: Pedro Ortíz, Johan Padills, Brain Heras
Defenders: Xavier Arreaga, Jackson Porozo, Cristian Ramirez, Dario Aimar, Xavier Arrega, Diego Palacios, Marcos Andrés López, Félix Torres
Midfielders: Romario Ibarra, Jhegson Méndez, Fernanado Gaibor, Junior Sornoza, Jhojan Julio, Gonzalo Plata, Alexander Alvarado, Jonathan Borja, Erick Castillo, José Cifuentes
Forwards: Enner Valencia, Bryan Angulo, Leonardo Campana
Paraguay
Paraguay will head to Asia during this international break and head coach, Eduardo Berizzo, has decided to call up six players who could play for La Albirroja for the first time. The squad features four domestic-based players.
Richard Sanchez, the bull-like midfielder, we spoke about in the Paraguayan Superclasico preview, will play for the national team for the first time since moving to Mexican giants Club America.
One player you may want to watch is Ivan Franco, who at 19 provides a threat from attacking midfield thanks to his quickness and dribbling ability.
Newcastle fans will be hoping Miguel Almirón can put in some impressive performances for the national side and build his confidence for when he returns to St James’ Park.
Paraguay Fixtures
Japan vs Paraguay| Kick-off – 11:20AM (GMT) 05/09/2019
Jordan vs Paraguay| Kick-off – 16:00PM (GMT) 10/09/2019
Paraguay Squad
Goalkeepers: Antony Silva, Gatito Fernández, Marino Arzamendia
Defenders: Gustavo Gómez, Iván Piris, Júnior Alonso, Fabián Balbuena, Juan Escobar, Robert Rojas, Saúl Salcedo, Blas Riveros
Midfielders: Rodrigo Rojas, Miguel Almirón, Cristhian Paredes, Alejandro Romero Gamarra, Matías Rojas, Richard Sanchez, Ramon Martinez
Forwards: Derlis González, Óscar Romero, Antonio Sanabria, Ángel Romero, Braian Samudio
Peru
Copa America runners up Peru will travel to the US to play friendlies against Ecuador and Brazil.
Striker Jefferson Farfán will not feature for Peru after picking up an injury. Three uncapped players will be part of the squad – Gabriel Costa, Patrico Álvarez and Kevin Quvedo. The squad features only two domestic-based outfield players.
Peru Fixtures
Peru vs Ecuador | Kick-off – 01.00AM (GMT) 06/09/2019
Brazil vs Peru | Kick-off – 04.00AM (GMT) 11/09/2019
Peru Squad
Goalkeepers: Pedro Gallese, Patricio Álvarez, Carlos Cáceda
Defenders: Luis Advíncula, Carlos Zambrano, Miguel Trauco, Aldo Corzo, Alexander Callens, Anderson Santamaría, Luis Abram, Marcos Lopez
Midfielders: Yoshimar Yotún, Christian Cueva, Edison Flores, Renato Tapia, Christofer Gonzáles, Josepmir Ballón, Carlos Ascues, Pedro Aquino
Forwards: Yordy Reyna, Gabriel Costa, Kevin Quevedo, Raúl Ruidíaz, André Carrillo
Uruguay
La Celeste will be without both of their main strikers in Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez. This gives a chance for Maxi Gomez to be the main striker for Uruguay.
Coming into the squad are two exciting youth prospects in Darwin Núñez and Brain Rodríguez, who played for Peñarol before moving to Almeria and LAFC respectively. Both are in line for a first cap.
One player to keep tabs on is midfielder, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, who has scored eight times in ten matches for Flamengo, including a fantastic bicycle kick against Ceara in recent weeks.
Uruguay Fixtures
Costa Rica vs Uruguay| Kick-off – 03.00AM (GMT) 07/03/2019
USA vs Uruguay: Kick-off – 01.00AM (GMT) 11/09/2019
Uruguay Squad
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera, Martín Campaña
Defenders: Martín Cáceres, José Giménez, Sebastián Coates, Diego Laxalt, Marcelo Saracchi, Giovanni González, Gastón Silva, Matías Viña
Midfielders: Matías Vecino, Nahitan Nández, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Torreira, Federico Valverde, Brian Lozano
Forwards: Cristhian Stuani, Jonathan Rodríguez, Maxi Gómez, Darwin Núñez, Brian Rodríguez
Venezuela
Venezuela is a growing nation in football terms and are improving year on year. There is even hope that Venezuela will qualify for their first World Cup in 2022, once the qualification process starts in March.
Josef Martínez, the Atlanta United star, will be absent for this international break and will be rested.
Venezuela is the only South American side to not call up a uncapped player.
The Venezuelans will play only one match during this international break, taking on Colombia.
Salomón Rondón will be hoping to continue the form he has been showing in China scoring three goals in the same number of games.
Venezuela Fixtures
Colombia vs Venezuela | Kick-off – 02:00 AM (GMT) 11/09/2019
Venezuela Squad:
Goalkeepers: Wuilker Faríñez, Rafael Romo
Defenders: Mikel Villanueva, Luis Mago, Ronald Hernández, Nahuel Ferraresi, Bernardo Añor, Rolf Feltscher, Wilker Ángel, Jhon Murillo, Renzo Zambrano, Jefferson Savarino
Midfielders: Jhon Murillo, Darwin Machís, Júnior Moreno, Yangel Herrera, Yeferson Soteldo, Juan Pablo Añor
Forwards: Salomón Rondón,Jan Carlos Hurtado, Andrés Ponce
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