Argentinian football writer Dan Colasimone picks out the key men in Alejandro Sabella’s provisional squad and assesses their chances in Brazil as they push for a third World Cup title.

ARGENTINA

Who’s in (30-man provisional squad)

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)

Defenders: Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting), Jose Maria Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Internazionale), Nicolas Otamendi (Atletico-MG), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate), Lisandro Lopez (Getafe)

Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Ever Banega (Newell’s Old Boys), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Newell’s Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Internazionale), Augusto Fernandez (Celta de Vigo), Enzo Perez (Benfica), Jose Sosa (Atletico de Madrid), Fabian Rinaudo (Catania)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St-Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Internazionale), Franco Di Santo (Werder Bremen)

Who misses out?

The glaring, though not surprising, omission from the squad is Juventus star Carlos Tevez. The tiny forward has done more than enough to justify a spot in the final 23, having hit 19 goals and made eight assists this Serie A season, but Sabella is obviously not a fan, and has never once called him up.

Though he won’t admit it publicly, the general belief in Argentina is that the manager believes Carlitos has a detrimental effect on squad harmony, and does not combine well with the undisputed talisman of the team, Messi.

Biggest selection headline

Tevez was still the headline even though everyone was aware he would probably miss out.

The surprise inclusions are left-back Mercado, and fringe players Lopez, Rinaudo and Di Santo, all of whom are candidates to miss the cut for the final 23. Demichelis would not have been considered a few months ago, but his recent strong showing for Manchester City have seen him push his way into the squad.

Surprise package

Sabella’s starting 11 is likely to feature established players so there will not be much opportunity for

a bolter to come in and make an impact. Alvarez could get a chance to impress due to the injury concerns over Gago and Banega, and he is the type of exciting talent that could make a splash.

Danger man

When you have Aguero and Higuain in your team, you know you have a decent attacking line-up.

Argentina captain Messi may only have one World Cup strike to his name to this point, but his national team form has come on in leaps and bounds since the last tournament, and he will be tasked with scoring the majority of La Albicelestes’ goals this time around.

A relatively easy Group F could see Messi head into the knock-out phase with a handful of goals under his belt already. Keep an eye on those other two, however, as it’s hard to see them not getting in on the action.

The architect

As well as being the primary goal threat, Messi is also Argentina’s creative force and the player most likely to unlock an opposition defence with a sublime pass or slaloming run. As we saw in the last World Cup, though, the Barcelona man cannot do it without a little help from his friends.

Gago will likely have the critical task of collecting the ball from deep and feeding Messi as frequently as possible, while Di Maria and Aguero both have the vision and flair to shoulder some of the creative burden.

The hatchet man

He goes about his business as a cultured central defender reasonably quietly at Barcelona, but former captain Javier Mascherano is still the heartbeat in the middle of the pitch for Argentina. Once a magnet for red cards, the ‘Jefecito’ (Little Chief) has matured, and these days manages to channel his fury more effectively.

Mascherano is still a ferocious tackler and inspirational leader, but he is now better at choosing his battles. More than just a midfield enforcer, he has added other strings to his bow, acting as a deep-lying hub when Argentina are in possession of the ball.

The verdict: Does this squad have what it takes to go all the way?

On paper, Argentina have a squad good enough to win the World Cup. There are weaknesses in defence, and the midfield lacks some depth, but it is rare to find a national team that is perfectly balanced. With the firepower Sabella has at his disposal up front, the Albicelestes should be a major force in Brazil.

—Daily Mail