Lessons Learned from Argentina's October International Friendlies

Argentina's brief Asian tour has come to an end.

A painful reverse at the hands of Brazil in Beijing kicked off the international break for the team directed by Gerardo Martino, a lesson in how inefficient finishing and poor defending can come back to haunt a team at the top level. 

Some pride was rescued on Tuesday, with a mismatch against Hong Kong. A completely rotated first XI had no problem winning 7-0, with Lionel Messi jumping off the bench and grabbing a double to the delight of both home and away fans. 

What can Martino take away from a mixed set of friendlies? With several new players given minutes and the old faces showing what they can still do, there are plenty of lessons to take into account as preparations continue ahead of next year's Copa America in Chile.

5. Roberto Pereyra Is One to Watch

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There were few positives to take from a timid 2-0 reverse against Brazil, but the emergence of Roberto Pereyra as a real alternative in midfield at least gave Argentina fans some comfort after the bruising evening in Beijing. 

The Juventus winger looked a natural alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, covering vast tracts of the pitch and always looking for players ahead in the final third. The 23-year-old has a long way to go, but alongside Erik Lamela and Juan Iturbe, he represents a new generation of attacking talent waiting to burst out.

4. Dunga Continues to Be Albiceleste Bogeyman

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When Brazil coach Dunga left his post for the first time in 2010, few Argentines were sad to see the back of him. The pragmatist had been the side's executioner, destroying the team led by Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme in the 2007 Copa America. 

A 3-1 defeat in Rosario two years later put Diego Maradona's men in serious danger of missing out on the World Cup, a tournament that ultimately cost both coaches their job.

Dunga has now returned, and judging from Beijing, he is in no mood to change. 

The Selecao's victory was inspired by those two key aspects of the 1994 World Cup-winning captain: Pack men behind the ball and wait for the counter—and if all else fails, a well-placed set piece and an Argentine mistake will lead to another derby victory to gloat over. 

3. There Are Options for Faltering Defence

Argentina's back line did not exactly cover themselves in glory during the Brazil defeat. A comical mishap between Federico Fernandez and Pablo Zabaleta cost the nation the opener, converted by Diego Tardelli, and the striker's second was also the result of calamitous defending from a set piece. 

The good news is that the error-prone Fernandez and Martin Demichelis are far from the only men available to partner undisputed Ezequiel Garay, currently recovering from injury. 

Nicolas Otamendi and Santiago Vergini did not put a foot wrong against admittedly less dangerous Hong Kong on the second leg of the Asian tour. Mateo Musacchio would have been in this squad if not for injury, while Federico Fazio stands out as another option once he starts making an impact for Tottenham.

2. Higuain Still Knows Where the Goal Is

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An awful World Cup and less than explosive start to the season with Napoli had left questions over Gonzalo Higuain's ability to still be a force at the top level of the game. While a double strike against Hong Kong will not answer those questions, there is no doubt that Pipita can still find the net. 

It took time for the ex-Real Madrid man to get going, but he netted two trademark finishes and gave the home defence problems throughout. A brilliant header and a tap-in marked a decent showing against weak opposition. 

Now Higuain will have to take that form into Argentina's next clashes, as he tries to rediscover the touch that made him so dangerous prior to the World Cup.

1. Fast or Slow: Argentine Attack Still Finding Identity

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New Argentina boss Martino has endured an up-and-down start to his life with the Albiceleste. The elation of beating Germany 4-2 in his first match in charge was tempered by falling to the Brazilians, showing there are still bugs to be ironed out in the Seleccion setup. 

Most pressingly, the coach will have to decide how he wants Argentina to play.

Direct, vertical football that fully utilises the speed and ability of Di Maria? Or a shorter, more patient passing game that funnels the ball through the feet of captain and talisman Lionel Messi? 

The former strategy worked wonders against the World Cup holders, while in the second clash Argentina too often saw their playmaker crowded out by a sea of yellow shirts.

Martino would surely love to attack using both entrance points, but that will require many hours on the training ground to give Argentina the necessary flexibility.