Daniel Edwards argues that while the Albiceleste are much-changed, there is enough quality and hunger in the second string to be more than a match for Greece.
With qualification a hair’s width away Diego Maradona is giving the first choice eleven a well-earned break for Tuesday’s showdown against Greece. And while it has not made him the most popular person in Senores Lagerback and Jung-Moo’s eyes, from an Argentine point of view, it makes perfect sense to rest players in danger of injuries and suspensions.Besides, Michel Platini and Pele will be more than happy to tell the indignant coaches that making friends is very rarely high on ‘El Pelusa's’ to-do list.
With reserves like these...
If Greece coach Otto Rehhagel was expecting an easy ride from the Argentine second string however, he is very much mistaken. This team boasts such reinforcements as European Cup hero Diego Milito, Thursday’s super-sub Sergio Aguero and Velez prodigy Nicolas Otamendi - hardly a group of Sunday League footballers.
Most importantly, though, what this group will have in spades is a hunger to win and the capacity to acquit themselves well. The impressive showings in the previous matches of messrs. Tevez, di Maria, Higuain and Heinze means that the replacements will have to really do something special to impress little Diego, sitting (or rather jumping, hugging, arguing and ball juggling) and observing from the sidelines.
Another player with a point to prove is Juan Sebastian Veron, who will also re-enter the team after sitting out the second game through injury. ‘The little witch’ was desperate not to give up his place against South Korea, and as it turned out he was not without his reasons.
Although replacement Maxi Rodriguez was arguably not as impressive individually as Veron was against Nigeria, the team was given more shape and balance with Maxi covering the right side, makeshift full-back Jonas Gutierrez looking less lost and calamitous, di Maria was not a little boy lost forlorn on the wing, and Lionel Messi was afforded more freedom to maraud and link up with his fellow forwards.
Veron therefore will have to prove that his individual talent can be integrated in order to create a fluid and successful team. He will be aided having Maxi and Mario Bolatti at his side to share the graft in midfield, as well as the adoption of a more orthodox back four - Otamendi entering for the suspended Jonas.
The ‘left behind’
If there’s one name Rehhagel would have liked to see off the teamsheet, it would be Lionel Andres Messi. Unfortunately for Greece, though, the boy is part new-Maradona and part-Duracell Bunny, and never seems to need a rest either for Barca or the Albiceleste.
Widely expected to lead his team out for the first time, the thought that this could spur ‘The Flea’ on to even greater things is enough to bring the entire Greek side in cold sweats. Expect Messi to combine with close friend and fellow attacking prodigy Aguero, with Milito playing in a more orthodox centre-forward role than we have seen thus far with Argentina.
The outcome
No matter how much Diego insists to the contrary, Argentina are serious candidates for this World Cup, and must be starting to look towards the knockouts, where a likely clash with either Uruguay or Mexico awaits. The first priority, however, is to qualify in first place, and this is well within the capabilities of Maradona’s enviable reinforcements. Greece will not be an easy nut to crack, but the likes of Messi, Aguero and Bolatti should have too much in the bag and run out 2-0 winners.
Starting Lineup (4-3-1-2):
Sergio Romero; Nicolás Otamendi, Martín Demichelis, Nicolás Burdisso, Clemente Rodríguez; Maxi Rodríguez, Mario Bolatti, Juan Sebastián Verón; Lionel Messi; Diego Milito and Sergio Agüero.
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