The pounding in La Paz -- at 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) -- in April was Maradona's first loss since taking over in November.

Argentina is fourth in South American qualifying with 19 points -- five behind leader Paraguay. Colombia is seventh, 10 off the pace.

Six games remain in group play with the top four advancing automatically to next year's World Cup in South Africa. The No. 5 team faces a playoff with the No. 4 from North and Central America and the Caribbean for another berth.

"I want to get rid of this irritation," Maradona said. "We were playing OK and the loss in Bolivia came as the team had been playing well."

Maradona is likely to select an attacking formation Saturday, playing Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero up front with Juan Sebastian Veron behind them. Veron will be supported in midfield by Jonas Gutierrez, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Gago.

Everyone will be watching Messi. He has yet to deliver the kind of style and production he has with Barcelona, which won all three major titles this season -- Champions League, Spanish league and Copa del Rey.

"He (Messi) will be trying to show all Argentines that, after winning those three titles, his whole focus will be on winning these two upcoming games," Maradona said. "I think we can see a great Messi in these two matches."

Colombia coach Eduardo Lara knows what he is in for.

"Messi is in great playing form," Lara said. "I think we're going to have to employ a tactical system that does not allow him the freedom he likes."

Lara has usually been straighforward in his tactics. This time, he has trained behind closed doors. On Friday, he announced a starting lineup that left off two regulars: defender Ivan Ramiro and midfielder Gerardo Bedoya.

Lara points out that although Argentina will play with only three defenders, he knows they will get help in midfield.

"When we attack, they will defend with five," he said. "We're going to have quick players in attack that can throw Argentina off in one-on-one confrontations."

Maradonahas selected Mariano Andujar in goal, leaving usual starter Juan Pablo Carrizo on the bench. The three in defense will be Daniel Diaz, Martin Demichelis and Gabriel Heinze.

"We can't think about the past," Gutierrez said. "We have to be ready for what's coming and look ahead. This team is very united and looking toward moving on."

Argentina's second game is Wednesday against Ecuador in Quito, where the 2,800-meter (9,000-feet) altitude could again present problems. Colombia is home Wednesday against Peru, which is last in the qualifying group with only seven points.