Mexico interim coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti wants his players to play fearlessly against Lionel Messi's Argentina on Tuesday in AT&T Stadium.
"I'm not scared, [and] I don't think my players are scared," said Ferretti in a news conference on Monday. "There is respect, yes, like against anyone."
"We look at our rivals straight on, in the eyes," he added. "We don't make any team we take on greater or lesser, they are the same."
Mexico drew 3-3 last Friday against Trinidad and Tobago, while Argentina thrashed Bolivia 7-0 in Houston, but even if El Tri come out with a memorable result, Ferretti is adamant that the Oct. 10 match against the United States is the key short-term goal and that nobody should get carried away.
"Getting a good result against Argentina doesn't mean we'll get a result against the United States," he said.
Ferretti added that reverting to a formation with three central defenders -- as his predecessor Miguel Herrera used -- is an option and said he is looking more for a positive individual and collective performance from his team, ahead of the result.
"I think in Mexico there is potential, but there is no balance," said Ferretti. "If we win we are a marvel; if we lose, we are the worst."
The Mexico camp has been disrupted by a total of six players leaving or not showing up, with Paul Aguilar the latest to leave on Sunday because of a right hamstring injury.
Carlos Vela captained Mexico last Friday, but Ferretti was non-comittal on who would wear the armband against Argentina.
"The captain could be [Andres] Guardado, Rafa [Marquez], Moises [Munoz]; there are a lot [of options]," said Ferretti. "In the national team, you don't want one leader, you want to have various [leaders]."
As for stopping a strike-force that could include Messi, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez, Ferretti admitted he hasn't had long to prepare but is confident his side can do a job.
"We know all national teams have little time to prepare, but I've always had confidence in the capacity of my players," said the Brazil-born coach.