Lionel Scaloni says Lionel Messi's absence has forced Argentina to play as a team, though he hopes the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will return to the international fold.
Messi was once again absent as Argentina eased past Iraq 4-0 on Thursday in the first game of a four-team tournament that also features Brazil and Saudi Arabia.
The Barcelona superstar's future with Argentina is uncertain, having not been included in either of the country's two squads following their last-16 exit at the World Cup.
With Messi's future up in the air, interim head coach Scaloni admits Argentina must adopt a different approach.