Argentina coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino has a number of absentees to cope with as the Albiceleste go in search of their first win in 2018 World Cup qualifying when they host Brazil on Friday.
Carlos Tevez has joined Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero on the sidelines for Argentina after the Boca Juniors forward was ruled out for the qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia with a sprained left knee.
Manchester City right-back Pablo Zabaleta and Zenit defender Ezequiel Garay are also sidelined through injury.
The absence of Messi has been costly for Argentina, who have failed to prevail in their last three games and have not scored in 181 minutes.
"It's logical to miss a player like Messi," Argentina's Benfica midfielder Nico Gaitan said to Ole newspaper. "He is crucial for us and we certainly felt his absence in the opening two qualifiers.
"But even if Messi is the best, we have players that can replace him."
Argentina began their qualifying campaign with a surprise 2-0 home defeat to Ecuador and were then held to a goalless draw by Paraguay in Asuncion last month.
They are seventh in their pool with just one point from two games.
The Albiceleste players say they are going to pull out all stops to get a win their Superclasico, which kicks off at 9pm local time on Thursday night in Buenos Aires.
"This is a very difficult game," Gaitan said. "It is an encounter between two very good teams.
"We didn't start well and we will give our all and play a great game on Thursday in order to bounce back."
Martino will be hoping in-form striker Gonzalo Higuain can deliver up front.
Higuain has had an impressive start to the campaign with nine goals and is joint top scorer in Serie A with Italy international Citadin Eder of Sampdoria.
The Napoli forward has not featured for Argentina since the Copa America final defeat to Chile on July 4, where he failed to convert spot-kick in a penalty shootout.
Martino is expected to field an attacking trio with Paris St Germain duo Angel Di Maria and Ezequiel Lavezzi up front with Higuain.
Brazil travel to the Monumental Stadium bolstered by the return of their captain, Neymar.
The Barcelona forward missed his team's last four official games through suspension, including his country's opening two World Cup qualifiers - a 2-0 defeat at Chile and a 3-1 home victory over Venezuela.
Neymar has been in terrific form for Barca with his 11 league goals leading La Liga's scoring charts.
The 23-year-old hit the back of the net twice in Barca's 3-0 victory over Villarreal on Sunday to lift them to top spot in La Liga.
Neymar, who has scored 46 goals in 67 matches for Brazil, will lead his team's attack with Chelsea winger Willian and Douglas Costa of Bayern Munich expected to play in support.
Brazil are fifth in the pool, three points adrift of Uruguay, Ecuador and Chile, who have each won their opening two qualifiers.
La Canarinha will not underestimate an Argentina side without Messi, Aguero and Tevez.
"Of course we know how much quality each of those players have," Brazil goalkeeper Cassio said to Lance.net. "But we are not going undervalue them.
"They are still strong without them."
Brazil, coached by Dunga, are not at full strength with Paris St Germain defender Marquinhos and Real Madrid right-back Marcelo out injured.
Source: PA
