The Road to South Africa

This was an epic and tortuous journey that seemed to be heading for disaster – or at least the humiliation of a play-off – until Martin Palermo's winner in a Buenos Aires downpour against Peru and a controlled 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo. Before that redemption, Argentina had been a thorough-going mess. The 6-1 defeat by Bolivia, where they were torn apart by Joaquin Botero, who plays in the Mexican Second Division, was their worst defeat since 1958. And in Messi's home town of Rosario, Brazil, the great enemy, had little difficulty slicing Argentina's defence apart in a comfortable 3-1 win.

The Star Players

Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudientes) Students of the English Premier League might be surprised to see him given a central role in Maradona's regime given his failures at Manchester United and Chelsea but he remains a formidable playmaker.

Javier Mascherano (Liverpool) There is no question of Argentina's attacking credentials but it is their defence that is their greatest and most obvious weakness. If they are to do themselves justice, then Mascherano must protect the back-four.

Carlos Tevez (Manchester City) When Maradona first saw Tevez he reminded him of himself. It is the work-rate, the sheer love of football and his eye for a goal that make Tevez something of a hero even to Maradona.

The Coach

Diego Maradona Should he carry it off, he will, like Franz Beckenbauer, have won the World Cup as a player and a manager. However, while the Kaiser exuded an air of glacial calm, chaos has been Maradona's constant companion. A fall-out with Juan Roman Riquelme triggered the midfielder's international retirement while attempts by the Argentine FA to impose Carlos Bilardo, who managed Maradona to the World Cup in Mexico, as a general manager have led to constant bickering between the two. Right up until their plane leaves Buenos Aires for Johannesburg, there are some in the Argentine FA hoping Maradona won't be on it.

Honours

World Cup: Winners 1978, 1986. Runners-up 1990.
Copa America: Winners 1991, 1993. Runners-up 2004, 2007.
Confederations Cup: Runners-up 2005.

Analysis

There are so many uncertainties surrounding Argentina but if they top their group, their path to the later stages of the World Cup seems straightforward. Then, they will stay in the north of the country and meet the runners-up in Group A (probably Uruguay or Mexico) in Johannesburg. Then, they would probably face a quarter-final against Holland in Cape Town.

Verdict

Squad (4/5)
There is no questioning the sheer talent available

Coach (2/5)
Simply too much of a loose cannon for anyone to feel comfortable

Attack (5/5)
This is the time for Messi to shine

Defence (3/5)
Their inability to keep consistent clean sheets is a worry