"I would like us to score four goals and them to score none," the gravel-voiced coach told reporters on Wednesday after being asked what he expected from the friendly in London.

Basile, who coached Argentina from 1991 to 1994, officially begins his second stint on Sept. 15 and is still in charge of club side Boca Juniors.

He agreed to lead Argentina against Brazil after the game was arranged at short notice.

"It's always special against Brazil," said Basile at Buenos Aires airport before catching his flight.

"It's not a personal landmark because I've got 800,000 matches behind me, but it's important for the national team."

Basile said he could not comment on whether he would field Corinthians pair Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez.

Tevez walked out on the Brazilian club after playing against Botafogo on Aug. 20 while Mascherano, sent off against Gremio on Sunday, skipped training on Tuesday.

"Until I see them and talk to them and watch them practice, I can't say anything," said Basile.

He also shrugged off claims that his forward line lacked height after he picked Sergio Aguero, Tevez, Javier Saviola and Lionel Messi amongst the strikers.

"I like short players," he said.