Match Coverage: Scotland v Argentina

We're finally here. After and endless soap opera around BASILE, the potential candidates for the position he left vacant, the assistant manager saga, Giannina's health problems (all sorted out now), Terry BUTCHER's comments and everything else, Diego MARADONA is set to make his debut as Argentina boss in the same place where he scored the first international goal in his illustrious career.

Despite a growing hype around MARADONA and his visit to the most Argentina-friendly country in the United Kingdom, there are reports suggesting that Hampden Park will not present a sold-out crowd.

MARADONA looks set to field a lineup that, at least when it comes to the names, has a lot of similarities with what BASILE's been using, but the main differences are in the formation Diego will use and the position in which some of his footballers will play.

A 4-4-2 formation that has been forced by the absenses of Juan Roman RIQUELME and Lionel MESSI. Without them, Diego doesn't have a natural play-maker (RIQUELME) or someone who can play just a little bit behind the two strikers and eventually become a key to open up the opposing defense with through passes or with his dribbling ability (MESSI).

With this scenario, Maxi RODRIGUEZ and Jonas GUTIERREZ will be key to help the striking duo of TEVEZ and LAVEZZI. Carlitos and Pocho will need those two to be very active going forward and feed them regularely.

MASCHERANO will have the captain's armband and to me, the bit question mark will be upon Fernando GAGO's position. Will he run forward more than usual? Will he be asked to stay back all the time to help Mad Masch and cover for Maxi and Jonas' runs forward? Will he be doing a little bit of both?

At the back, CARRIZO is confirmed as Diego's first choice goalkeeper. A great choice, if you ask me. A goalkeeper with a lot of talent and youth on his side. He'll have 2/3 good European seasons under his belt when the next World Cup comes and he is arguably the best goalkeeper we have these days.

Javier ZANETTI will have 15 European seasons when South Africa 2010 comes! I was very happy to see him in Diego's first list as rumours were suggesting he was going to get the axe. I think his versatility and his experience are great assets for our team and he is still the best we've got on our right flank.

Martín DEMICHELIS gets the call at centre back and I think it's a good decision. His speed, his timing and his aerial game are second to none and he'll be as determined as nobody else after missing out on the last minute on both the Germany 2006 World Cup and the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

He'll be joined by Gabriel HEINZE, who abandons his left-back duties (a good thing!) and will now try to show his worth in his original position. If you've been following Mundo Albiceleste for quite some time now, you'll know I don't like HEINZE. But I'm willing to give him a chance as a centre-back. Good luck to him.

Finally, there's Emiliano PAPA. A mystery for most of Mundo Albiceleste's readers. Well...this is Diego's first gamble and I think it is one that will pay off. For some reason we had Gabriel HEINZE playing as left-back when we have some proper left-backs waiting in the shadows. Emiliano PAPA is one of them and after having a great season with Velez, Diego felt for him and will give him the nod. Behind him for future tests are Real Betis' Luciano MONZON (Olympic champion in Beijing) and Emiliano INSUA (still a very young but interesting prospect at Liverpool).

Feel free to share your comments with us and enjoy the match.