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This is the second match of these teams in Group C. After the first matches, the situations of both teams are different. The Argentinians won their first match against the Ivory Coast after a tough fight, while the Serbians lost to the Dutch by a narrow margin. So, for the Serbians in this match, if they still have hopes of advancing to the next stage, a victory is necessary. Or at least a draw and favorable results from other group matches. And although the Argentinians will be the favorites in this match, an intriguing game awaits.
Argentina - Serbia and Montenegro Location: Gelsenkirchen, AufSchalke Arena (62 thousand spectators). Time: 16:00 (Lithuanian time)
Predictions Bookmakers consider the Argentinian footballers without a doubt the favorites of this match, as they justified all hopes placed on them already on the first day of the C group matches, defeating the Ivory Coast team.
On the other hand, predictions are a slippery thing. The Serbians have one of the most reliable defensive lines, so if they manage to sort out their attacking line, an unexpected result could be achieved.
In this match, if Argentina wins, they could already secure a place in the next stage, but the Ivory Coast would need to fail against the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the Serbians must not lose if they are still thinking about the next stage.
Head-to-head meetings Argentina has played against Serbia (or rather then Yugoslavia) nine times, including one match in the World Cup. Argentina won four times, while Yugoslavia celebrated victory three times. Two matches ended in a draw.
The teams played in the World Cup in 1990. Argentina won after a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals with a score of 3-2. The main match time and extra time ended without goals.
First matches
Argentina 2 - 1 Ivory Coast In the first match, the Argentinians overcame the debutants from Africa after a tough fight.
"It was hard, but we beat them. I think we have made it to the strongest group in the championship," said Argentine coach Jose Pekerman after the match.
"There is currently a process of rejuvenation in the Argentine national team, a generational change, but at the same time, confidence is growing. The team has a great spirit. This is the most important thing, but we need to be realistic and play well," added team captain Juan Pablo Sorin.
"Such a start, like ours, is very good," said Hernan Crespo, who scored the first goal for Argentina.
Serbia and Montenegro 0 - 1 Netherlands The Serbians lost their first match to the Dutch national team, with Arjen Robben standing out with a goal.
Although the Serbians lost by a narrow margin, there was a lot of criticism from the players towards the coach after the match due to the overly cautious playing style. "If we had attacked from the beginning, we would have scored. This way, we could have lost by a bigger margin, but at least we wouldn't have looked so timid," said Ognjen Koroman, with Mateja Kezman agreeing - "Either we start attacking, or we will withdraw from the World Cup."
Injured Players
On the other hand, the Serbians will have a very difficult time, as they are forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injury, without a doubt, the best central defender in the country and one of the best in the world, Nemanja Vidic, representing Manchester United. Vidic, who missed the first match due to disqualification received during the qualifiers, suffered a knee injury during Monday's training and will not be able to play for at least two weeks.
Therefore, the Serbian team currently has only 21 footballers, as mentioned, the coach's son and defender Ilja Petkovic did not go to the national team due to media pressure. Most likely, the right-back Igor Duljaj will play in place of Vidic, who played in that position against the Netherlands.
Argentina, on the other hand, also suffers some losses. Best case scenario, Lionel Messi, one of the country's leaders, will miss the match due to injury. However, during Wednesday's training, just recovered from an injury, the 18-year-old wonderkid hurt his left foot.
Moreover, this time we probably won't see Esteban Cambiasso on the field. He should be replaced by another midfielder, Luis "Lucho" Gonzalez.
Forward Carlos Tevez should start the match on the bench this time, as he missed training due to stomach pain.
Opinions
Argentina Argentina's head coach Jose Pekerman says that the team will need to play even better in the match against the Serbians.
"The victory in the first match gave us confidence in our abilities. Now we need to play even better. In the first match, there were some negative aspects that need to be eliminated," said Pekerman.
Defender Roberto Ayala, talking about the upcoming match, did not underestimate his opponents: "I don't know how Serbia will play, but it is a team that did not show all its abilities in the first match. I know they can play better. After losing the first match, they will do their best in the second."
Hernan Crespo, who scored a goal against the Ivory Coast in the first match, said that the team needs to win and possibly secure a place in the next stage.
Serbia and Montenegro On the other hand, the head coach of the Balkan team, Ilja Petkovic, did not lose optimism, and speaking of N. Vidic's withdrawal from the national team, did not show great disappointment: "That's football, that's life. We just have to accept these things."
If the Serbians still want to fight for a place in the next stage, they must not lose. Therefore, the team's assistant coach Goran Stevanovic says that the team will do everything it can: "Our suitcases are not yet packed. We still intend to stay in the World Cup. It is already our tradition to create some problems for ourselves. However, we are strongest when pressed against the wall."
Goalkeeper Albert Nadj, who has not lost hope, said: "Vidic's injury shook us, but we are ready for these challenges. Argentina, without a doubt, is a world-class team, but they are not unbeatable. With our passionate fans behind us, anything is possible. We owe them full dedication in the matches."
Possible starting line-ups
Argentina Abbondanzieri; Burdisso, Ayala, Heinze, Sorin; Gonzalez, Mascherano, Riquelme, Rodriguez; Saviola, Crespo.
Serbia and Montenegro Jevric; Duljaj, Gavrancic, Krstajic, Dragutinovic; Nadj, Stankovic, Djordjevic, Koroman; Kezman, Zigic."
