Midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron will miss Argentina's clash against South Korea on Thursday with a calf injury. Argentina coach Diego Maradona said Maxi Rodrigues will start.
Speaking on Wednesday, Maradona said this was done to get Veron fit. "I really need him. If we put Sebastian in tomorrow, we could lose him for the entire Cup. He will play against Greece, if not in another match. I am sure Rodrigues will do a wonderful job.”
Maradona said he knows South Korea will be fast and go for the ball, stressing the need to ‘not lose the ball in stupid ways.’ Reacting to South Korea’s reported pledge to stop Lionel Messi willy-nilly, Maradona said referees should ensure stars aren't mistreated. "Those who don't want to play football can go home."
In terms of raw power and strength, the game at Soccer City in Johannesburg would be different from the one against Nigeria, he said. "They (Nigeria) had enormous strength. Tomorrow it will be 50-50."
Rodrigues, who scored with a stunning volley against Mexico in Germany 2006, may not be the only change to the line-up because Maradona said "don't rule out anything." He said Diego Milito and Gonzalo Higuain or even Martin Palermo could play.
"There is hardly any difference between the first and second teams at practice…. I have 23 players without a shadow of doubt. I have spectacular players, not all of whom are playing. The goal Gabriel Heinze scored showed they can solve issues. The gods will help us. The rest, we have to sort out ourselves."
{{/usCountry}}"There is hardly any difference between the first and second teams at practice…. I have 23 players without a shadow of doubt. I have spectacular players, not all of whom are playing. The goal Gabriel Heinze scored showed they can solve issues. The gods will help us. The rest, we have to sort out ourselves."
{{/usCountry}}Maradona said South Korea, who beat Greece 2-0, base their game on a strong collective block. "They should be respected but we are going to win."
The coach said chinks that showed up against Nigeria, such as Jonas Gutierrez's performance, have been sorted out.
If striker Lee Dong-guk recovers, South Korea could start him as lone targetman.
"We are a little nervous heading into the match as they have some of the world’s best players. But we are not intimidated and have unwavering confidence in ourselves. They may boast Messi, but we can count on captain Park Ji-Sung to lead us to a good result," said midfielder Kim Nam-il to fifa.com.
Maradona and Hun Jung-moo met as players in the 1986 World Cup whether South Korea's current coach was entrusted with marking his counterpart. Hun's team lost 1-3 then.