The east Europeans have been beset by problems, notably the loss through injury of central defender Nemanja Vidic, and must win Friday's match in Gelsenkirchen if they want to qualify for the second round.

"We'll have to see what character they have at the moment of the match," said centre back Roberto Ayala, who held a news conference with reserve striker Julio Cruz after Argentina's late afternoon practice.

"Vidic is a serious loss. Gabriel was telling us what a good defender he is," Ayala said, referring to the Serb's Manchester United [Images] team mate Gabriel Heinze.

'DEEPER POSITIONS'

Ayala, who has Spanish league experience against strikers Savo Milosevic and Mateja Kezman, said: "They are two forwards who complement each other pretty well.

"One of them comes forward from deeper positions or drops off to the wings like Kezman," he said.

"Milosevic is more of a player who holds the ball up, playing well with his back to goal and when the ball goes out to the sides that's when he becomes strongest."

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Cruz is an Inter Milan team mate of attacking midfielder Dejan Stankovic, who had a compelling duel with Argentina's left back and captain Juan Pablo Sorin when the Italian side met Villarreal of Spain in the Champions league quarter-finals.

"He's one of the most complete midfielders in football," Cruz said.

"I don't know if in the national team he plays the same way (as at Inter), but he's very fast and gets to the opposition's goal. We have to be very alert to control that."

Argentina are top of Group C after their 2-1 win over Ivory Coast at the weekend, while Serbia & Montenegro lost 1-0 to the Netherlands.