This article is part of the Guardian's World Cup 2014 Experts' Network, a co-operation between 32 of the best media organisations from the countries who have qualified for the finals in Brazil. theguardian.com is running previews from four countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 12 June.
The Argentina coach, Alejandro Sabella, has sought a middle ground between the two opposing schools of Argentine coaching philosophy, the all-out attacking Menottistas and the more pragmatic, defence-minded Bilardistas. It is easy to assume that, because the Albiceleste count on the attacking talents of Lionel Messi, their play would roughly reflect that of the Rosario-born genius's Barcelona employers. That has indeed been tried at international level by previous coaches such as Sergio Batista, but to little effect.
Sabella was wise enough to note on taking over after the 2011 Copa América that while Argentina's offensive talent was second to none on an international stage, the same could not be said for those working behind Messi. There is no Xavi, no Andrés Iniesta pulling the strings, a crucial component for the Catalans. What the coach did, therefore, was inject startling pace into the team's tactical structure.
A typical Argentina team will adopt a 4-3-3 formation, with Messi taking up the 'false nine' position he assumes at the Camp Nou. Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio Agüero flank La Pulga ('the flea' - as Messi is known back home), creating a potent force in the final third. But the biggest influence to the team's mentality is situated slightly behind this fearsome front three. Ángel Di María plays from midfield on the left, but when Argentina break on the counter the Real Madrid player acts almost as a fourth forward.
The side are most dangerous not when building up slowly from the centre-circle forwards, but when the opposition is stretched and holes appear on the counter-attack. In that sense, if one feels compelled to make comparisons then Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid line-up is possibly a more faithful benchmark for this team. When they attack, they do so rapidly, in great numbers, and using the length and breadth of the pitch. Here Fernando Gago's diagonal balls, angled out to Higuaín on the right or Di María on the opposite flank, serve as the first step in opening up the field and stretching the opposition.
Messi, meanwhile, takes a deeper role than he does for Barcelona, often seen closer to the halfway line than the penalty spot. The No10 is the engine behind Argentina going forward, covering far more ground than he is often given credit for.
At the back, Javier Mascherano plays a vital role breaking up opposition forays before they have the chance to unsettle a still largely unproven central defensive pair of Ezequiel Garay and Federico Fernández. In the middle the Albiceleste can hold their own on the back foot; the real weakness of the side comes down the wings, where both Peru and Ecuador recently gave them serious trouble by focusing their efforts on the channels down both sides of the pitch.
Who is the player who is going to surprise everyone at the World Cup?
Fernando Gago's career in Europe has so far been an exercise in frustration. The cultured central midfielder was brought over by Real Madrid from Boca Juniors at the age of 20, perhaps too young, especially in a position where there is a steep learning curve for any aspiring professional.
Now 28, the player made a bright start to life at the Bernabéu but a mixture of injuries and the club's wildly unpredictable policies regarding coaches and signings were not exactly conducive to the Argentine settling in to a regular position. A spell at Valencia, and subsequent moves back home with Boca and previously Vélez Sarsfield, have also been stunted by a lack of fitness and too many games missed.
But curiously, his club inertia has not translated on to the international stage, where Gago has become a key part of Sabella's game plan. The player takes up the role of a deep-lying playmaker within the Argentine midfield, receiving the ball often deep in his own half and aiming to launch a counter-attack. With Mascherano behind him and Di María a constant passing option out wide, Gago has the freedom to think on the ball and show his true talent, to often devastating effect.
His range of passing and vision meant that many of the Albiceleste goals during World Cup qualifying were instigated by him, making the first crucial pass to set the machine in motion.
Every Argentine player is desperate to win the World Cup. But Gago also possesses a more personal motive for success. A string of impressive performances in Brazil could rejuvenate his career, putting him back in the shop window for some of Europe's top clubs.
Who is the player who is going to disappoint the most?
As in 2010, the Argentine defence is going to be under fierce scrutiny. It should not pose a problem in a distinctly weak-looking group; but from the last 16 onwards, and especially in the quarter-final, where a clash against Portugal or (perish the thought) Germany once more could be on the cards, the backline will have to be at its finest.
While many commentators focus on the young left-back Marcos Rojo as the weak link, Federico Fernández is also a potential liability in the middle of the first-choice back four. The Napoli player is strong in the air but not particularly mobile or perceptive, and often needs his partner, Garay, to come to his rescue. His deficiencies could be found out once the tournament reaches its crucial stages.
What is the realistic aim for your team at the World Cup and why?
Realistically, nothing less than an appearance in the final or, at the very least, semi-final should be expected from one of the most talented teams in the competition. Argentina have never been short of attacking talent. What Sabella has done since being in charge of the team is tether that enthusiasm for goals to a collective system, something his predecessors were not able to achieve. The Albiceleste of 2014 go forward and back as a team, something that could weigh heavily in their favour once the action begins.
Dan Edwards writes for the infobae.com in Argentina