DIEGO Maradona believes he has plenty of options to replace the absent Juan Roman Riquelme and Lionel Messi on his debut as Argentina coach against Scotland in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Maradona, who was appointed as coach on November 4, is denied the services of the star duo as Riquelme's club side Boca Juniors are locked in a title fight in the Apertura tournament and came to an agreement with the Argentina Football Association, while Barcelona have negotiated that Messi will not play in friendly fixtures except under exceptional circumstances.
Maradona, however, is confident he has the personnel to cope without the pair.
The 48-year-old, who arrived in Glasgow at the weekend, said: "We must not stand there with our arms crossed just because we cannot count on Riquelme nor Messi. We must search for variety, options, and we have them.
"Even without them, we will play for victory against Scotland."
Maradona, who has endured a host of personal problems since retiring from playing, is reinvigorated by his appointment.
"I feel like I never left," he said. "I feel the same perfume, the same smell, the same need, the same motivation, the same commitment."
Maradona, however, is confident he has the personnel to cope without the pair.
The 48-year-old, who arrived in Glasgow at the weekend, said: "We must not stand there with our arms crossed just because we cannot count on Riquelme nor Messi. We must search for variety, options, and we have them.
"Even without them, we will play for victory against Scotland."
Maradona, who has endured a host of personal problems since retiring from playing, is reinvigorated by his appointment.
"I feel like I never left," he said. "I feel the same perfume, the same smell, the same need, the same motivation, the same commitment."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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