Argentina Squad Report: Di Maria out, Aguero back for semifinal

One very important man out, one equally important man back.

That's the situation for Argentina heading into their first World Cup semifinal in 24 years.

Manager Alejandro Sabella learned Sunday evening that winger Angel di Maria will miss Wednesday's match against the Netherlands with a thigh strain.

While that will be a bitter pill to swallow, the disappointment is tempered by the news that striker Sergio Aguero is fit for the contest, having recovered from a similar ailment that kept him out of the team's two recent victories.

Changes are coming to the starting lineup. It's not an ideal situation by any means, but look at the bright side, they both could be out.

Fixtures/Results

Group F — June 15 — Argentina 2, Bosnia-Herzegovina 1

Group F — June 21 — Argentina 1, Iran 0

Group F — June 25 — Argentina 3, Nigeria 2

Round of 16 — July 1 — Argentina 1, Switzerland 0 (AET)

Quarterfinal — July 5 — Argentina 1, Belgium 0

Semifinal — July 9 — Argentina vs. Netherlands

Squad News/Rumors/Injury Report

Given the aforementioned injury updates, Sabella will have some tinkering to do ahead of Wednesday's match with the Dutch.

If the manager decides on a more defensive approach against a dangerous Dutch side, the absence of Di Maria could pave the way for Fernando Gago to be reinserted into the lineup. He was dropped in favor of Lucas Biglia for the win over Belgium. Enzo Perez was given the chance to assume Di Maria's place after the injury against Belgium, and performed admirably, which could give him the upper hand over his fellow midfielders.

The potential return of Aguero, meanwhile, could see Ezequiel Lavezzi relegated back to the bench. The Paris Saint-Germain attacker has been largely ineffective since taking over for Aguero.

In defense, Martin Demichelis did nothing against Belgium to suggest that he won't be given another opportunity to start. The Manchester City man made his first appearance of the tournament in the quarterfinal win, replacing Federico Fernandez, who had started all four previous matches.

"You always hope to play," Demichelis said. "I was showing a lot of heart in practice and tried to get to the place where I would get called up."

Team Leaders

Goals: Lionel Messi - 4

Assists: Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lionel Messi - 1

Quick Notes

1. Argentina have won all of their matches in the tournament by one goal.

2. Argentina and the Netherlands have met eight times in the past, with the European side having won four times compared to just a solitary victory for the Albiceleste. The most recent encounter was a 0-0 draw in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup.

3. Former Real Madrid star and Spanish international Raul says that Di Maria's injury will only heap more pressure on Lionel Messi to guide his team into the final.