Argentina's Albiceleste face World Cup debutants Ivory Coast in the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire in their opening Group C encounter on Saturday.

Group C, nicknamed 'the Group of Death', also contains Holland and Serbia and Montenegro and will be a tough group to call.

Argentina, one of the pre-tournament favourites, have left Barcelona young talent Lionel Messi from the starting line-up, as he is still recovering from injury.

Replacing Messi is Javier Saviola, who will partner Hernan Crespo in attack.

The pivotal playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme will be supported in midfield by the defensive-minded Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Mascherano and also by the forward running Maxi Rodriguez.

Goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri will be protected by Nicolas Burdisso, Roberto Ayala, Gabriel Heinze, who will be making his first competitive appearance since being injured playing for Manchester United last September, and Juan Pablo Sorin.

Ivory Coast are starting with the Premiership trio of Arsenal’s Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure, and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in their starting line-up.

Arouna Kone from PSV Eindhoven will partner Drogba in attack, with Kolo Toure’s brother, Yaya Toure playing with Didier Zokora, Akale and Emerse Fae in midfield.

The two sides have met only once before in an international friendly match back in in 1992, but this match will provide a chance for both teams to assess each other.

Argentina starting line-up V Ivory Coast:

Goalkeeper: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors).

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Roberto Ayala (Valencia), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United), Juan Pablo Sorin (Villareal);

Midfielders: Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Javier Mascherano (Corinthians), Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal);

Strikers: Javier Saviola (Sevilla), Hernan Crespo (Chelsea).

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