With eyes on nothing but cementing a place for themselves directly in the FIFA World Cup 2018, Argentina go into another must-win clash on Tuesday; their opponents being Bolivia this time.
La Albiceleste come into matchday 14 of the World Cup qualifiers from the Conmebol confederation at the back of a 1-0 win against Chile, which helped them reach the third spot in the 10-table group. Talisman Lionel Messi remained the solitary goalscorer.
With Bolivia in the ninth position in the table, Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza has afforded to not include star striker Sergio Aguero in the line-up. The likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia and Nicolas Otamendi, meanwhile, miss the game owing to suspensions.
In all probability, Messi will be teaming up with Sao Paulo striker Lucas Pratto in the Argentine attacking line against Bolivia.
"We want to win in La Paz but we all know that it is not easy. The altitude makes for tough conditions," Bauza said in the pre-match presser. "We have to be smart and consider the game plan and not sticking to it would be foolish. Bolivia have good players and will attack with many people.
"The problem of the altitude comes in the last 20 minutes. We will see how we come through the game physically. When we get to the altitude, we give paracetamol to players to avoid headaches."
Match schedule
Date: March 28
Time: 4 pm EST (8 pm GMT, 1.30 am IST [Wednesday])
Venue: Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
Where to watch live
India: TV - Sony ESPN. Live stream - SonyLiv
Argentina: TV - TyC Sports. Live stream - TyC Sports Play
Bolivia: TV - TyC Sports Internacional
Brazil: TV - SporTV
Spain: TV - TDP
USA: TV - beIN Sports. Live stream - beIN Sports Connect
UK - No telecast
