Maradona is likely to make big changes to the Argentina team.The Albicelestes are in the enviable position of having almost guaranteed qualification and the top spot in the group with one game remaining as they would have to lose heavily to next opponents Greece with South Korea thrashing Nigeria to have any chance of crashing out.
Various media sources therefore speculated on Friday that ‘Dieguito’ would take out a large chunk of the team that overcame South Korea and Nigeria the week previously.
At least one change will be forced: Jonas Gutierrez has picked up two yellow cards and will be suspended. La Nacion sees young Velez defender Nicolas Otamendi as the most likely replacement for Jonas.
Walter Samuel also is set to miss the match after limping off on Thursday, although there was relief in the Argentina camp after it was confirmed today that the Inter stopper did not suffer a ligament tear.
Ole suggests that Nicolas Burdisso will almost certainly enter the starting XI, after appearing off the bench in the last two games.
Other possibilities include Mario Bolatti coming in for Javier Mascherano, the captain carrying a yellow card which if duplicated could put him out of the second round game.
After the South Korea match, Maradona spoke of his happiness at the strength of his 23-man squad, insisting that they were all great footballers.
“I have 23 beasts in this squad, I have 23 starters,” the coach beamed in the post-match press conference.
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