Hamburg - The tie between England and Germany at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin may be the most high-profile international friendly on this week but much attention will also be on Diego Maradona's Argentina, who take on Scotland in his first match in charge.

Maradona arrived in Scotland to a hero's welcome at the weekend with Scottish fans clambering for autographs, many clutching a picture of his "hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.

While residual animosity still remains in England over Maradona's controversial goal, he is revered in Scotland for putting one over on the "Auld Enemy" and is guaranteed a warm reception from fans at Hampden Park.

Maradona, who was a shock appointment to the post of Argentina coach earlier this month, is without Juan Roman Riquelme of Boca Juniors and Barcelona star Lionel Messi but is still confident.

"Even without them, we will play for victory against Scotland," he said.

Even against a weakened Argentina side, Scotland boss George Burley will have his work cut out to achieve a result, especially as he will be missing the likes of Rangers striker Kenny Miller, Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher and Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

While a carnival atmosphere is guaranteed in Glasgow, tension won't be far below the surface in Berlin when in-form England take on Germany.

"Everyone has told me that it is not a friendly game against Germany, but I think this will be a friendly game," said England coach Fabio Capello. "We will do some experiments. I will know better some different players."

Capello will be without Manchester United duo Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, Chelsea pair Joe Cole and Ashley Cole as well as Liverpool's Steven Gerrard but captain John Terry, who has been struggling with a foot injury, is expected to be fit to lead the side.

Germany will also be understrength as Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack and defenders Philipp Lahm, Marcell Jansen, Christian Pander and Clemens Fritz are all unavailable through injury.

World champions Italy take on Greece in Athens without Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero, whose impressive recent form was not enough to grant the 34-year-old a spot in Marcello Lippi's squad.

Instead, Lippi will rely on Alberto Gilardino and Luca Toni with Vincenzo Iaquinta, Simone Pepe, Fabio Quagliarella and the young Villareal player Giuseppe Rossi likely to start from the bench.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has called up Juan Mata and Fernando Llorente for the friendly with Chile but is without Andres Iniesta and has omitted Andoni Iraola, Fernando Navarro and Diego Capel

Del Bosque is determined to bring 2008 to a close on a high note, maintaining his 100 per cent record since taking over from Euro 2008 hero Luis Aragones in July.

"It has been a good year for the national team. We want to finish the year with another victory, and by playing well," Del Bosque said.

In other matches, Giovanni Trapattoni will be looking to maintain his unbeaten start as Ireland coach when his side take on Poland while France face Uruguay and the Netherlands entertain Sweden. (dpa)