Argentina will be pressured to return home with the three points against Colombia in Barranquilla.
Colombia and Argentina clash in a highly anticipated 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium of Barranquilla on Tuesday. As is generally the case when both sides meet, the encounter is expected to be very exciting as both have plenty to prove, especially after having claimed highly frustrating home draws last week against teams that they would normally beat.
Both teams will be hoping to turn the page on last week's results, to confront a difficult match that could be won by either side. Likewise, both Colombia and Argentina have made modifications coming into the match, with defenders Amaranto Perea and Martin Demichelis, who were responsible for the goals conceded by their sides, out for the game. While Perea will miss the match due to suspension, Demichelis was dropped by Alejandro Sabella.
Colombia, who are coached by Leonel Alvarez, will be unable to count with the services of Radamel Falcao Garcia, Freddy Guarin and Carlos Sanchez, who are all injured. Like against Venezuela, Falcao's position will be occupied by Jaguares de Chiapas striker Jackson Martinez, while Abel Aguilar will play for Guarin and Camilo Zuniga will replace Gerardo Vallejo. Meanwhile, Adrian Ramos of Hertha Berlin will start in the attack instead of Teofilo Gutierrez.
Argentina, who arrived in Barranquilla on Sunday night, will be pressured to return home with the three points after a disastrous display against Bolivia on Friday. Lionel Messi, Argentina's captain and key player, will especially be feeling the heat after another disappointing performance, where once again he wasn't able to reproduce anything close to that of his Barcelona form.
After having beaten Chile 4-1 in the opening round of the World Cup qualifiers in October, Argentina fell to Venezuela 1-0 and could only afford a 1-1 draw with Bolivia. Messi played brilliantly against Chile and even found the back of the net, but flopped in Argentina's following two games.
According to reports Sabella will change from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 tactical scheme, in order to have more balance in the midfield. The coach has opted for an attacking partnership consisting of Messi and Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain. Sabella will give starts to Pablo Guinazu, Federico Fernandez and Jose Sosa. Meanwhile, if Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano doesn't recover in time he will be replaced by Rodrigo Brana.
Like Colombia Argentina have accumulated four points, however they have played an extra match. When the teams met in the group stage of the Copa America in July they fought out a goalless draw.
Both teams will be hoping to turn the page on last week's results, to confront a difficult match that could be won by either side. Likewise, both Colombia and Argentina have made modifications coming into the match, with defenders Amaranto Perea and Martin Demichelis, who were responsible for the goals conceded by their sides, out for the game. While Perea will miss the match due to suspension, Demichelis was dropped by Alejandro Sabella.
Colombia, who are coached by Leonel Alvarez, will be unable to count with the services of Radamel Falcao Garcia, Freddy Guarin and Carlos Sanchez, who are all injured. Like against Venezuela, Falcao's position will be occupied by Jaguares de Chiapas striker Jackson Martinez, while Abel Aguilar will play for Guarin and Camilo Zuniga will replace Gerardo Vallejo. Meanwhile, Adrian Ramos of Hertha Berlin will start in the attack instead of Teofilo Gutierrez.
Argentina, who arrived in Barranquilla on Sunday night, will be pressured to return home with the three points after a disastrous display against Bolivia on Friday. Lionel Messi, Argentina's captain and key player, will especially be feeling the heat after another disappointing performance, where once again he wasn't able to reproduce anything close to that of his Barcelona form.
After having beaten Chile 4-1 in the opening round of the World Cup qualifiers in October, Argentina fell to Venezuela 1-0 and could only afford a 1-1 draw with Bolivia. Messi played brilliantly against Chile and even found the back of the net, but flopped in Argentina's following two games.
According to reports Sabella will change from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 tactical scheme, in order to have more balance in the midfield. The coach has opted for an attacking partnership consisting of Messi and Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain. Sabella will give starts to Pablo Guinazu, Federico Fernandez and Jose Sosa. Meanwhile, if Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano doesn't recover in time he will be replaced by Rodrigo Brana.
Like Colombia Argentina have accumulated four points, however they have played an extra match. When the teams met in the group stage of the Copa America in July they fought out a goalless draw.
