La Selección training inside the Maracana yesterday

Alejandro Sabella told the press yesterday that the team is not yet decided for the opening World Cup match against Bosnia & Herzegovina. All week Sabella has been testing, the more trusted 4-3-3 but also a slightly more defensive 5-3-2, a formation very familiar to Sabella. Training yesterday inside the Maracana ahead of the game gave nothing away as did the ensuing press conference as we are left guessing who will be in the starting lineup later today.

Throughout the qualifying tournament, Argentina more commonly utilised a 4-3-3 which certainly got the best out of Lionel Messi. Gonzalo Higuaín has been the only player struggling with injury in the build-up and so in training at least, he was replaced with Ezequeil Lavezzi. The 4-3-3 would line up: Romero; Zabaleta, Fernández, Garay, Rojo, Mascherano, Gago, Di María; Messi, Agüero, Lavezzi.

The alternative would be a 5-3-2 which Argentina used to defeat Bosnia in a friendly back in November. This is certainly a formation that is neither alien to the players, who have used it on occasion, and Sabella, who has used it regularly to great success in his career. In training at least this lined up: Romero; Zabalata, Campagnaro, Fernández, Garay, Rojo; Mascherano, Maxi Rodríguez, Di María; Messi, Agüero.

Sabella said yesterday, “The team for the match against Bosnia is still not yet being decided. Since we started the previous training, we had a number of problems with some players. Now, except for Rodrigo Palacio, are all available. We will continue to evaluate who is at better condition at the last minute”

Sabella will almost certainly know who will play against Bosnia but will keep his European opponents guessing until the last moment. Argentina’s coach certainly seems aware of the importance of rest and if there were any doubts over player fitness he would rather keep them in reserve. Perhaps with this in mind Gonzalo Higuaín will not be risked and will instead continue his recovery before the second match.

Whether it is a 4-3-3 or a 5-3-2, Sabella is accutely aware of the dangers that Bosnia present and specifically mentioned their aerial prowess.

Sabella added, “You cannot attack well not defend well. And you cannot defend well without attacking well. There must be a balance between both.”

This is true of both formations so we will wait and see what Sabella opts for. There is not long now, finally Argentina’s World Cup campaign begins!