Key Issues That Will Shape Argentina's International Friendly with Hong Kong

After the disappointment of the Superclasico de las Americas, Argentina will have to pick themselves up. A seemingly innocuous clash against Hong Kong, to mark the region's centenary, would be a good place to regain the confidence lost in a 2-0 reverse against Brazil in Beijing. 

Few are expecting the game to be anything more than an exhibition in front of a public keen to see Lionel Messi and his team-mates in the flesh. Nevertheless, 90 minutes of international football are always valuable no matter who the opposition may be. 

Less than a year away from the Copa America in Chile, Gerardo Martino should be paying attention to the following big questions that continue to dog La Albiceleste. 

4. Rejuvenating the Attack

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The likes of Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Erik Lamela and Angel Di Maria really should not struggle to score goals against Hong Kong's plucky national team on Tuesday. But the reverse at the hands of Brazil, drilled to frustrate rival attacks by the ultrapragmatic Dunga, has raised more than a few doubts about those tasked with hitting the net. 

Aguero in particular was guilty of squandering a handful of excellent chances against the Selecao. Neither he nor Higuain, who featured off the bench, have managed to recover their international form since the World Cup caught the pair severely unfit and struggling for rhythm. 

Should the two continue to misfire, alternatives such as Carlos Tevez, Mauro Icardi and even Villarreal starlet Luciano Vietto are there should Martino decide the attack needs a serious makeover. 

3. A Leaky Defence

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Problems at the back have haunted Argentina for the best part of a decade. Alejandro Sabella masked the worst of that weakness by packing men behind the ball during the World Cup, but as his successor, Martino is looking to open up La Albiceleste, and those old worries are creeping back into the squad. 

Two avoidable goals conceded against Brazil, both coming from set pieces and gleefully converted by Diego Tardelli, consigned Argentina to defeat. The new coach needs to take a deep look at what is going wrong in that crucial sector. 

Federico Fernandez, for one, was deeply at fault for Tardelli's opener after crashing into Pablo Zabaleta, and his place should be carefully considered following a catalogue of recent errors. Nicolas Otamendi and Facundo Roncaglia would jump at the chance to replace the Swansea City man and prove their worth against Hong Kong. 

2. Romero's Future

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The penalty shootout heroics of Sergio Romero in the 2014 World Cup have come to an end. On Saturday, the Sampdoria goalkeeper failed to convince once more in the Argentina net, reacting nervously in the dead-ball situation and, although his defenders were most guilty, paying the price for his lack of presence. 

Romero said himself in the buildup that he needed to be playing regular club football, per La Red (via Forza Italian Football). Once more a substitute, this time in the Serie A club he helped to promotion just a few short years ago, the Argentina No. 1 is under pressure and could drop out of the first team against Hong Kong. 

Tigres' Nahuel Guzman, an old acquaintance of Martino from his Newell's days, would be more than happy to step up for an international debut should his coach decide to analyse the alternatives to Romero between the posts. 

1. The Role of Di Maria

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While Messi remains the biggest draw, one man appears to be gaining ground. Angel Di Maria's profile has grown immensely in the past two years, a fact that was reflected as the new Manchester United star flew into Beijing ahead of the Brazil clash. 

According to Argentinian paper La Nacion's Andres Prestileo, the clamour for Di Maria at the Chinese capital's airport rivalled that of his captain's as he arrived in Asia. On the pitch, too, the winger is steadily becoming just as crucial to La Albiceleste's fate as his former rival in Barcelona. 

Di Maria was outstanding upfront as Argentina destroyed Germany in September but was rather more muted in midfield against the Canarinha. Martino will have to decide what Fideo's best role is in his Argentina setup to get the most out of one of the finest players on the planet.