Argentina vs. Croatia: How Argentina Should Line Up in Friendly Game

Wednesday's test against Croatia in London should provide the Albiceleste with a good idea of how the team is progressing since Gerardo Martino took over post-World Cup. So far it has been a mixed start for the ex-Barca man; an excellent victory over Germany was followed by defeat to archrivals Brazil, who effectively nullified forward-thinking Argentina. 

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal waiting on the horizon, the international break gives Argentina the chance to measure up against solid European opposition ahead of next year's Copa America. Not only that, but Martino has the luxury of trying a few new faces in his team without the pressure of official competition demanding instant results. 

That freedom, added to a handful of injury and fitness worries in the Albiceleste camp, is likely to affect selection for the friendly. But the following 11 players, if picked, could just prove El Tata's best bet against the solid Balkan battlers. 

Goalkeeper

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Sampdoria stopper Sergio Romero has been Argentina's undisputed first choice since before the 2010 World Cup, when Diego Maradona saw something special in the athletic goalkeeper. His club career has been mixed in the intervening period but no other player has managed to dislodge him. 

The Croatia and Portugal clashes, however, throw up an interesting alternative. Willy Caballero's long exile from international duty has been ended for this English tour, and it would not be out of the question for him to receive at least 90 minutes. 

Martino's best bet would be to start the Manchester City keeper in London, gauging his performance and temperament at international level. It could be the perfect setting for the hulking veteran's long overdue debut in the Seleccion. 

Defence

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Two obligated changes force Martino's hand when it comes to the back line. Ezequiel Garay has yet to feature for the new coach as he battles injury woes in Zenit, while left-back Marcos Rojo joins the central defender on the casualty list thanks to his dislocated shoulder sustained in the Manchester derby. 

Rojo's absence should be simple to fill. Cristian Ansaldi has won a place in the squad thanks to an impressive start with Atletico Madrid on loan, and he is the logical choice to slot in on the left of defence. 

With Pablo Zabaleta continuing on the right, Nicolas Otamendi deserves a real chance at international level and would be a good bet to partner Martin Demichelis in the middle. 

Midfield

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Argentina's midfield trio under Gerardo Martino more or less writes itself, especially since Fernando Gago's Boca Juniors duties mean the playmaker will not travel from Argentina. Inspirational anchorman Javier Mascherano will lead the engine room, accompanied by the improving Lucas Biglia to give the Albiceleste plenty of steel. 

Angel Di Maria, meanwhile, will resume his roaming position nominally on the left-hand side of the trident. But Martino could spring a surprise by placing a creative star just ahead of these established stars. 

Javier Pastore has found favour under the new coach after years out in the cold with Alejandro Sabella. Placing the Paris Saint-Germain playmaker in the hole, making him the link between midfield and attack, and allowing one Lionel Messi to push on, is a gamble worth exploring. 

Attack

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Can they play together? Do they want to play together? In Argentina thousands of column inches have been wasted exploring the supposed poor relationship between Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi. 

Sabella, of course, did not risk such discomfort for the Barca star, leading to a three-year international exile finally ended by his successor calling up Carlitos for this November double-header. If Tevez is in the squad, he must be given the chance to play. 

This projected XI picks the two goalscoring superstars alongside each other for the first time since the 2011 Copa America, with Messi playing a slightly more fixed position in the box while Tevez roams out into the spaces on the right flank. With Di Maria and Pastore also pushing forward, this partnership could just lift the already fearsome Argentina attack to the next level. 

Best Starting XI Against Croatia

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Caballero

Zabaleta, Demichelis, Otamendi, Ansaldi

Biglia, Mascherano, Di Maria

Pastore

Tevez, Messi