Paredes makes Austria a midfield test for Scaloni

Argentina's newest Austria clues have shifted from ordinary squad rotation to a more specific question: how quickly can Lionel Scaloni rebuild rhythm for the players he deliberately managed through the opener? Nicolás Tagliafico trained with the group, Gonzalo Montiel was kept off the field portion open to reporters, Lionel Messi worked normally, and Leandro Paredes is now being prepared for possible minutes against Austria. 1 2

That makes Monday's match more than a simple second group game. Austria is still a chance to tighten control of Group J, but it is also the first real test of whether Argentina can rotate without making the team less secure between the lines.

Infobae reported that Tagliafico trained alongside the rest of the squad for the first time since his left soleus injury, while Montiel worked in the gym during the 15 minutes open to journalists. The same report said Messi trained with the group and that the forward spot next to him remains unresolved. 1

TyC Sports added useful texture: Montiel has a small muscular issue but no injury, so Argentina are moderating his workload; Tagliafico has left the soleus problem behind and is aiming to get minutes against Austria; the next media-open practice comes before a closed weekend, with Argentina scheduled to train in Kansas on Sunday morning, travel to Dallas after midday, and hold Scaloni's press conference at the stadium later that day. 2

The match itself is set for Monday, June 22 at 17:00 UTC in Dallas. TyC lists it as a 14:00 Argentina kickoff for the second round of Group J. 3

The fresher development is Paredes. TyC reported that he has recovered from the right hamstring injury that kept him out of the pre-World Cup friendlies and the 3-0 win over Algeria. He had been training apart earlier in the camp, later worked with the group, was on the bench against Algeria, and was not used because the staff did not want to force him after a spell without match rhythm. 4

That is not a minor bench note. TyC's read is that, if the week keeps moving without setbacks, Paredes could play a meaningful number of minutes against Austria. The same report frames him as Argentina's most positional midfielder compared with Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Rodrigo De Paul, and says his profile could help in defensive recovery and rest-defense phases that still had some flaws against Algeria. 4

That is the reason Paredes matters here. Molina or Álvarez returning would restore two familiar starters. Paredes returning would give Scaloni a different way to slow a match down, protect central spaces and prepare a possible Jordan start if the group situation allows it.

The probable XI is still unsettled, but the uncertainty is no longer one big blur. The latest reports divide it into different kinds of decisions.

The important distinction is that only some of these are form calls. Almada versus Nicolás González, for example, is mainly tactical, with TyC reporting that Scaloni could prefer González's characteristics to hurt Austria. Tagliafico is different. Montiel is different. Paredes is different again. 2

A clean Austria night would not only mean three points. It would mean Molina or Montiel comes through without adding another right-back concern, Tagliafico either gets controlled minutes or is protected without drama, and Paredes gets enough time to test whether his legs are ready for a bigger role.

There is a standings reason to be practical. TyC reported that an Argentina win over Austria could secure first place in the group if Jordan do not beat Algeria, which would make the third match a cleaner opportunity to distribute minutes. 4

That is why Paredes is the piece to watch. Tagliafico's return is the obvious headline and Montiel's workload is the immediate worry. But Paredes could tell us more about the next stage of Argentina's tournament: whether Scaloni has his old passing anchor back in time to manage games instead of merely surviving them.