Hauchipato (Chile), July 2 (IANS) Defender Ezequiel Garay was forced to miss Argentina’s training session due to the stomach complaint which kept him out of the semi-final victory over Paraguay.
The defender was taken ill hours prior to Tuesday’s semi-final kick-off, is currently suffering from Gastroentercolitis and remained at the team hotel whilst his teammates trained at Estadio CAP stadium here on Wednesday.
Garay is manager Gerardo Martino’s favoured centre back partner to Nicolas Otamendi but should the 28-year-old fail to recover, Manchester City’s experienced defender Martin Demichelis will retain his spot in the starting line-up.
Argentina worked on recovery drills during their light work-out, whilst some squad members, including Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Erik Lamela, practiced ball retention under the watchful eyes of Martino and his staff.
The 14-time Copa America winners progressed to the final after a 6-1 hammering of 2011 runners up Paraguay, with goals from Marcos Rojo, Javier Pastore, Di Maraa (two), Sergio Aguero and Higuain.
Despite Paraguay pulling a goal back on the bring of the half time whistle through Lucas Barrios, there was to be no repeat of the 2-2 group stage between the two teams draw as Argentina produced their most convincing display at this year’s competition.
They face tournament host Chile at Estadio Nacional stadium in the capital on Saturday, with their opponents aiming for their first continental title in 99 years.