Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez will lead Argentina's attack when it faces World Cup winner Spain on Tuesday in a friendly that promises to be a bit more than that.
Using an attacking strategy designed by interim coach Sergio Batista, Argentina will try to produce the kind of performance it failed to show in a humiliating 4-0 loss to Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals.
The forward line will look familiar with Barcelona striker Messi teaming with Tevez and Diego Milito.
But several players who were left out of the World Cup squad by former coach Diego Maradona could play a prominent role - mainly Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti and playmaker Andres D'Alessandro from Brazil club Internacional. Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso could also see action.
"This will be a great game," said Argentina defender Gabriel Milito, Messi's teammate at Barcelona. "We're playing none other than the World Cup champion."
A good showing at River Plate's stadium would further strengthen the position of Batista, who seems likely to be picked as the permanent coach after the Argentine Football Association meets next month to name Maradona's successor.
AFA president Julio Grondona has said Batista will be chosen unless "large problems" appear. Batista guided his side to a 1-0 victory last month in Ireland and will be in charge on Oct. 8 in Tokyo against Japan. Argentina also faces Brazil on Nov. 17 in Doha, Qatar, and again on Dec. 19 in Buenos Aires.
Argentina trained Sunday behind closed doors in the Buenos Aires suburb of Ezeiza. Spain, led by Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Iker Casillas, David Villa and Fernando Torres, trained at Boca Juniors stadium.
Torres scored twice in Spain's 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein on Friday in a European Championship qualifying match. Spain is the defending champion.
"Were going to be playing a great team," Spain and Real Madrid winger Sergio Ramos said. "But we are going to stick with the same philosophy that brought us success."
Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and '86 but has failed to get past the quarterfinals at the last five World Cups.
