Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain was named on the bench for his side’s opening World Cup game against Bosnia-Hercegovina on Sunday, with Sergio Aguero partnering captain Lionel Messi in attack.
Higuain has been struggling with an ankle injury for a month and in his absence, coach Alejandro Sabella opted for a 5-3-2 formation that saw Maxi Rodriguez preferred to Fernando Gago in midfield.
Bosnia, appearing at their maiden World Cup, named Sead Kolasinac at left-back after Sejad Salihovic was ruled out by injury for the Group F clash in Rio de Janeiro.
Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko was named as a lone striker by coach Safet Susic, in a departure from the 4-4-2 system that Bosnia used in their qualifying campaign.
Sunday’s game will be the first World Cup fixture to be played at Rio’s iconic 76,804-seater Maracana Stadium since it underwent a multi-million-dollar overhaul to prepare it for the tournament.
Teams
Argentina
Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Ezequiel Garay, Hugo Campagnaro, Federico Fernandez, Marcos Rojo; Maxi Rodriguez, Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria; Lionel Messi (capt), Sergio Aguero
Coach: Alejandro Sabella (ARG)
Bosnia-Hercegovina
Asmir Begovic; Mensur Mujdza, Ermin Bicakcic, Emir Spahic (capt), Sead Kolasinac; Muhamed Besic, Miralem Pjanic; Izet Hajrovic, Zvjezdan Misimovic, Senad Lulic; Edin Dzeko
Coach: Safet Susic (BIH)
Referee: Joel Aguilar (ESA)