Brazil vs Argentina could not be witnessed in the greatest footballing stage of them all – the World Cup – but 2014 can still provide a battle between the two old rivals as China is all set to host the big game on Saturday.
They don't come much bigger than Brazil vs Argentina in football and the two old foes will want to iron out their chinks ahead of a Copa America campaign next summer.
Brazil, though, will have to move on from that disastrous home World Cup, something that will still be foremost in their minds, despite it being several months since that thrashing handed out by Germany in the semifinals.
A new coach in the mould of Dunga, who picked up his first win on return with a 1-0 victory over Colombia, courtesy a Neymar strike, last month, has taken over, and the World Cup winner has already started to instil his plans and philosophies into the side.
Dunga, after copping a lot of criticism for his drab style while in charge between 2006-10, is looking at a more eye-catching approach this time around, and he will hope to see some of it come to fruition in Beijing on Saturday.
"In defence, he makes the players pass the ball around from one side to the other, and makes the team move forward towards the attack as one, very quickly," said the returning Kaka, who has been called up to the squad for the first time in a year-and-a-half. "The same is demanded when they lose the ball and need to regroup."
The primary objective for Dunga, however, will be to ensure that the players, who suffered in the sooner-forgotten-the-better-from-Brazil's-point-of-view World Cup, move on as quickly as possible.
"Everything has been said and explained. The wounds have already healed," insisted Brazil defender David Luiz.
"The new players are also aware of what happened and now we have to think about what's coming in the future, not what has already passed. If we dwell too much on the past we will be unable to evolve."
Argentina will also be hoping the scars from losing in the World Cup final have healed, with their national team also under new management in the shape of former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino.
Martino, of course, will not need any sort of reminder to emphasise on the importance of a Brazil vs Argentina encounter, even if it is just a friendly.
"Argentina against Brazil is the most important derby between national teams," Martino was quoted as saying by Goal.com. "It doesn't matter where the match is held, it's always important for the history between us and now also for the players."
Most eyes, as they almost always are, will be on Lionel Messi, who has been in brilliant form for his club Barcelona, and the forward will look to get the better of his club teammate Neymar, the man that Brazil will heavily rely on for goals.
If the two turn on the style on Saturday, then spectators at the Bird's Nest will have one brilliant spectacle to enjoy.
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The 100th anniversary game of Brazil vs Argentina is scheduled to begin at 8 pm local time (5.30 pm IST, 1 pm BST, 8 am ET) start with live coverage in India on Ten Action. The big match can also be watched online via live streaming on Ten Sports Live.
Viewers in the US and Canada can catch all the action on Bein Sports, with the option to live stream available via Bein Sports Connect TV. Audience in the UK will be able to watch the match live on ITV 4 or on ITV Player. South America viewers can catch the game on Directv or via their live streaming online option.
Middle East and North Africa viewers will be able to watch the match live on Bein Sports Arabia, with the option to live stream the match on Bein Sports Connect.
