Feb 23rd, 2000

By Matt Barlow
PA Sport

Gabriel Batistuta
Born: Santa Fe 1/2/69
Clubs: Newell's Old Boys, River Plate, Boca Juniors, Fiorentina.
Batigol needs little introduction. He has been scoring goals at the very top for years and Arsenal fans won't need reminding how he ended their Champions League dreams on his last trip to Wembley. The Fiorentina star, coveted by big clubs around the globe, is lethal with either foot and has supreme aerial power. He was on target from the penalty spot, in the sixth minute, against England in France 98 and scored in the penalty shoot-out. Batistuta scored his 50th international goal in the friendly against Colombia in October, which Argentina won 2-1, but that was only his second for his country since the World Cup.

Hernan Crespo
Born: Florida, Argentina 5/7/75
Clubs: River Plate, Parma
The striker leading Parma's assault on Italy's Serie A is also trying to cement his place in the national team as Batistuta's strike-partner. He barely featured in France 98, coming on as a second-half substitute against England in the second round but he saw his penalty saved by David Seaman in the shoot-out. Crespo moved from River Plate to Parma as a raw talent in 1996 and has continued to mature, finding the net regularly for his club. He scored 16 in Serie A last season.

Juan Sebastian Veron
Born: Buenos Aires 9/3/75
Clubs: Estudiantes, Boca Juniors, Sampdoria, Parma, Lazio
A tireless midfield dynamo who was arguably Argentina's player of the World Cup in 1998. He was the driving force of the team and remains a vital cog in the machine. Veron, known in his homeland as La Brujita, which means little witch, moved from Parma to Lazio in July for £18million. He offers energy and aggression in the midfield, married to skill, vision and an eye for the spectacular goal.

Diego Simeone
Born: 28/4/70
Clubs: Velez Sarsfield, Pisa, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Inter, Lazio
Midfielder Simeone will always be remembered as the man who got David Beckham sent off in St Etienne in June 1998. He was the player who Beckham flicked his heel at and the player who tumbled to the ground in mock-agony. The pair clashed again last season when Manchester United overcame Inter en route to their Champions League success but this promises to be their first re-match in the colours of their countries. Simeone, who moved to Lazio in the summer for £7million, is a vastly experienced campaigner but still not 30. He has teamed up with countryman Veron at club level and they are a formidable central midfield pairing.