Defeat to Ecuador in the Monumental in Argentina’s first World Cup qualifier and the goalless draw with Paraguay that followed left many questioning Gerardo Martino’s position as head coach and concerned that La Albiceleste may struggle to reach Russia 2018. The draw with Brazil and crucial victory against Colombia in Barranquilla breathed life back into the campaign but there is still a huge amount of work to be done. Lionel Messi returns from injury and will hope to avenge the Copa América final defeat when Argentina travel to Santiago to face Chile on March 24th. Three points from this difficult trip and the clash with Bolivia in Córdoba on the 29th would certainly put qualification back on track.

Ahead of two important fixtures, Gerardo Martino has named his latest 29-man squad and aside from the return of Messi, there are several other talking points….

The expected

Argentina’s slow start to World Cup qualification is more complex than the simple absence of Lionel Messi but witnessing La Albiceleste labour in attack was little surprise without the world’s best player linking midfield and attack. Argentina have scored only twice in their four matches so far, the lowest number of side in CONMEBOL qualifying, and so Gerardo Martino will be relieved to call upon Messi once again.

The 28-year-old is narrowing in on Gabriel Batistuta’s all-time top scorer record and although critics still claim that Messi doesn’t perform for the national side as he does for Barcelona, Argentina without the five time Ballon d’Or winner are a far easier side to defend against. The number ten shirt will go back to it’s rightful owner after being shared around in previous matches.

The remainder of Martino’s squad has a familiar feel to it and certainly the starting eleven appears relatively settled. Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori is included again after impressing in the wake of injury to Ezequiel Garay and would appear favourite to continue his partnership with Nicolás Otamendi in Santiago. Garay’s continued absence is a somewhat curious given that after struggling with injury the central defender is expected to play for Zenit against Benfica in the Champions League this week.

The good

At long last Gerardo Martino does what most supporters have been asking for since well before the Copa América and included 23-year-old goalkeeper, Gerónimo Rulli in his squad. Sergio Romero will no doubt retain his status as number one, despite struggling for playing time at Manchester United but it is positive step that Martino wants to take a closer look at Argentina’s most promising young keeper. For whatever reason Rulli was called up to the squad for the matches against El Salvador and Ecuador in March 2015 but then lost his place to Nahuel Guzmán and Agustín Marchesín. A strong tip for the Olympic side, Rulli appears to be the future in this position and it is time that the selección begin prepping him for that.

Another welcome return to the fold is defender Mateo Musacchio, who may have gone to the Copa América had it not been for the horrific broken leg he suffered playing for Villarreal. Fully recovered, the 25-year-old is looking back to his best for the Yellow Submarine and deserves another chance at international level. Argentina are not blessed with the the myriad of options they have in attack and Musacchio certainly represents one of the better prospects from the younger generation of defenders.

Agusto Fernández and Enzo Pérez returning to the group after injury troubles is another plus and only serves to strengthen the midfield. Presumably with everyone fit, Martino will stay faithful to the midfield three of Macherano, Biglia and Banega that performed admirably in Barranquilla but adding two players that provide stylistic alternatives to those players previously mentioned only makes the squad stronger.

As does Martino maintaining his faith in the young trio of Paulo Dybala, Ángel Correa and Matías Kranevitter. There are big decisions to come this year over whether these three will play the Copa América or the Olympics (both seems unlikely) but Dybala is pushing hard this season for an immediate starting role.

There was further positive news regarding who Gerardo Martino decided not to call – Carlos Tevez and Fernando Gago were the high-profile absentees from the list after enduring a difficult start to 2016 with Boca Juniors. Given the options in midfield, Gago’s time now has surely passed but with Tevez there is always a section of the public that clamour for their icon to be included, no matter what the results. The jugador del pueblo has looked well short of his title winning form of 2015 in the opening weeks of the Argentine Primera and as a result Boca have suffered. The 32-year-old has never produced anything near his best in an Argentina shirt and by his own admission this week can have no complaints over not getting a call-up this week. Not only are the inclusions of younger and more in-form forwards beneficial but it is also positive that Martino can make this decision. It may not appear bold to many but in Argentina, the omission of Tevez is a talking point.

The debatable

With such fierce competition for places in attack, it was thought that Ezequiel Lavezzi’s January move from Paris St Germain to Hebei China Fortune would call an end to his international career. The player himself suggested as much upon signing his lucrative contract with the Chinese Super League outfit. However, the 30-year-old remains in Gerardo Martino’s plans at least for now. Pocho has never let La Albiceleste down, never gives less than 100% and is obviously a popular figure in the squad but it is difficult to argue a case for his prolonged inclusion in the squad. This forthcoming World Cup qualifying double-header may prove to be Lavezzi’s despedida.

The only real surprises came in defence with the call ups of three Argentine Primera players – Javier Pinola of Rosario Central and River Plate duo, Gabriel Mercado and Leonel Vangioni. All three have excelled in the Primera División but do their inclusions recognise this or more the lack of options available? The truth is probably a little bit of both. A national team where the ever-increasingly sluggish Martín Demechelis is coaxed out of retirement and is still part of the squad is short of quality defenders. However, Martino has always liked to include some domestic based players and there are merits to their calls.

Pinola’s only appearance for Argentina came under Alfio Basile against Algeria in 2007 and after returning to Rosario Central from FC Nürnberg last season was probably justified in thinking any hopes of a return to international football were gone. The 33-year-old has been superb since his return and has been a key figure in Eduardo Coudet’s side’s renaissance. A versatile defender who can operate centrally and at left back, Pinola could be a useful short term option for Martino.