After the notable change in the fortunes of the side after the tactical switch to 4-3-3 against Bosnia, Alejandro Sabella has today been training with the same formation ahead of the clash with Iran. Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero and Gonzalo Higuaín made up the front three but there were changes to the midfield. Angel Di Maria was suffering from muscle fatigue so trained separately and Maxi Rodríguez featured in place of Fernando Gago.

The 4-3-3 used was Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Ezequiel Garay, Fede Fernández, Marcos Rojo; Maxi Rodríguez, Javier Mascherano, Enzo Pérez; Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín.

A little curious given Gago’s obvious importance after the Bosnia game and the endorcement from Messi afterwards that he lined up in the reserve 11.

This was a 4-4-2 of Mariano Andújar; Hugo Campagnaro, Martin Demichelis, Jose Basanta, Enrique Sánchez (youth); Augusto Fernández, Fernando Gago, Lucas Biglia, Ricky Alvarez; Rodrigo Palacio, Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Of course with the game not until Saturday these training lineups offer little insight, other than the 4-3-3 will almost certainly be used. Iran will not pose as much of a danger as Bosnia and with the first match nerves out of the way, Argentina can hopefully be a little more adventurous.