Argentina’s Maxi Rodriguez looks set to start his country’s second Group B encounter against South Korea, if the signs from the Seleccion’s latest training session are to be believed.

Rodriguez replaced the injured Juan Sebastian Veron in both the latter stages of Argentina’s 1-0 opening game victory over Nigeria and the “first-team” which lined-out in a training ground practice match.

 

Veron succumbed to a right calf muscle strain against the Super Eagles and Rodriguez played the final sixteen minutes of the match.

There is speculation that coach Diego Maradona will make changes to his side’s defensive make-up after a shaky display against Nigeria’s forward line.

It is thought that Jonas Gutierrez, who received criticism for his performance at right-back, may move into his more natural midfield position, with his previous defensive duties being taken on by Nicolas Burdisso.

Meanwhile, striker Carlos Tevez has ratcheted up the pressure on his side by claiming that anything less than winning the tournament would be a failure for a side with so much attacking talent.

He told PA Sport: “A good World Cup would be for Argentina to win it. If we get to the quarters or the last 16, this will not do.”