Barcelona’s duo of the world’s very best players, Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr., who were seen brutally destroying the opposition’s defenses together, represented the flare and magic of South American football, and are on top of European domestic goal-scoring charts.
The duo, though, will be featuring in different colors in the footballing festival being held in Chile this summer. Argentine Messi and Brazilian Neymar will both be leading their national teams in the Copa America 2015 after their heartbreaks in last year’s FIFA World Cup.
Messi’s La Albiceleste yet again were unable to end the major trophy drought they have been suffering since the last 22 years. Mario Goetze’s goal in extra time of the World Cup final confirmed that Argentina will have to wait for another year to have a shot at a major title again, when they face Paraguay in the start of their Copa America pursuit.
After Neymar’s vertebra was fractured in the quarter final win against Colombia, the Brazilian dream of a World cup triumph at home met the same fate after the ruthless Germans bashed the Selecao 7-1 in the semi-finals. The Canarinho will also be looking to compensate their World Cup demise when they kick off their Copa America campaign against Peru.
Why watch Copa America?
Football usually does not have much excitement to offer in the summer months of June and July. At this time of the year, the World Cup is the only international tournament an average Pakistani fan looks out for on television. Copa America, which is the oldest international tournament in the history of football, even older than the World Cup, does not get the attention and audience it deserves.
It is surprising that Pakistani fans, with their penchant for attacking football and style over substance, and high-scoring matches, follow the UEFA Euro Cup or European domestic football leagues more popularity than fixtures in South America. It can simple be put down to the quality of television coverage and marketing, something which the European tournaments have a clear edge over.
It’s not just the playing style and the guarantee of a lot of goals that makes Copa America special. The players that the most prestigious South American competition features are the best players of the era: Lionel Messi, Neymar, Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, Thiago Silva, Edinson Cavani, James Rodriguez – the list is never-ending.
These extremely talented players have proven their mettle by competing and achieving success at the highest level of football.
Copa America features 12 teams, 10 of which are member nations of the CONMEBOL (The South American Football Confederation) and two invitees. The non-members of CONMEBOL taking part in the latest edition of the competition are Mexico and Jamaica.
Teams are divided into three groups of four. Each team will compete with other teams of their group. The best two teams from every group qualify for the quarterfinals along with the two best third-placed teams.
Unsurprisingly, Uruguay (15), Argentina (14) and Brazil (8) have been the most successful teams in the Copa America. Peru has won two titles, while Columbia and Bolivia have been crowned the South American champions one time each.
This time too, Brazil and Argentina are being regarded as the tournament hot favourites, but Chile, which knocked out former World Champions Spain from the World Cup last year, will be desperate to take advantage of home conditions and fan support to add the prestigious Copa America in their international honours cabinet.
Brazil
The disastrous elimination from the World Cup led to the sacking of former Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari, which made way for the second coming of Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri alias “Dunga”, who, in his first stint as manager, led the national side to Copa America triumph in 2007 and FIFA Confederations’ Cup title in 2009. Since his arrival, the Selecao Brasiliera have won all seven matches they have played, conceding just two goals and scoring 17.
The team looks rejuvenated after the implementation of a different philosophy and inclusion of some new and exciting names.
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Neymar will be part of a four-man attack this time. —Reuters |
Dunga has discarded the “target man” from the national side following Fred’s poor performance in the World Cup and has introduced a more unpredictably offensive four-man attack of Hoffenhiem striker Roberto Firmino, Neymar, Willian and Coutinho after the injured Oscar was dropped from the squad. The selection of Elias Alves paired with Luis Gustavo In the central midfield adds more defensive stability in the team.
Argentina
The Albiceleste squad has got all it requires to win any competition. Alejandro’s Sabella stepped down after the World Cup concluded and compatriot Gerardo Martino took charge of the team.
Martino looks forward to deploy a 4-3-3 in the Copa America, but the selection of a central striker or a “number 9” will be hard for him as he has too many options including, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez. Both Tevez and Aguero have done extraordinarily well throughout the season. Aguero won the Premier League Golden Boot, while Tevez will be playing in the UEFA Champions League Final looking to win his third trophy this season.
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Messi will be looking to finally win his country a trophy. —Reuters |
Gerardo has at his disposal, the experience of Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi, who must be looking to replicate his Barcelona performances at the Copa America.
Chile
Luck has not been on Chile’s side at the Copa America. The La Roja has made it to four finales since the tournament was inaugurated in 1930 and have finished third on five occasions. On June 6, when Chile kick- off their first match against Ecuador at the Estadio Nacional, Santiago, they will be marking the 7th time they host the oldest continental competition. Chile have not taken advantage of their home conditions yet in the history of the event. This could be the moment when it all falls into place for them.
Luck is not the only factor this time round for the La Roja. The squad that Chile has is well-balanced and in-form, consisting of players who can absolutely destroy the opponent on their day.
Alexis Sanchez, who scored to win the FA Cup final for Arsenal, is obviously the standout factor in the Chile squad. The versatile attacker is not only a goal-scoring threat – he can drop back into the midfield and create space and opportunity for his colleagues like Eduardo Vargas, Gary Medel and obviously Arturo Vidal who has been an immense presence playing for the Italian champions Juventus. Claudio Bravo, who has been a beast for Barcelona in the goal this season, is a big boost for the La Roja defense which is lead by QPR’s Mauricio Isla.
Colombia
James Rodriguez’s volley against Uruguay in the round of 16 of the World Cup last year is an unforgettable memory for many. That goal represents the kind of flamboyance and excitement the Los Cafeteros are capable of delivering.
Manager Jose Pekerman is enjoying the services of a very well-poised roster. Fiercely offensive and sturdily defensive, the Colombians are a force to reckon with. The forward line missed Radamel Falcao in the World Cup, but now the Manchester United striker is back as captain. Falcao, though, will have to work hard to make a place in the starting 11 as he will be competing against Sevilla front-man Carlos Bacca (28 goals in all competitions) and Porto striker Jackson Martinez (32 goals in all competitions).
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Radamel Falcao will be captaining Colombia. —Reuters |
James Rodriguez, who was a surprise package in the world cup last year, is a much more improved player this season. The attacking midfielder has scored 17 goals and has provided 15 assists for Real Madrid this season. Juan Cuadrado is another live wire in the attacking positions for Colombia. Although it has been a quiet season for the Chelsea man, he will be looking to continue the form he showed with his national side at the World Cup last year.
Uruguay
The defending champions and the most successful team in the history of Copa America give a look of a wounded tiger this time around. The La Celeste are going into the tournament having lost some of their key players, players who have always carried the team’s burden on their shoulders. Diego Forlan is now retired and Luis Suarez lost his chance to defend the Copa America title for Uruguay when the Barca man bit Italy’s Georgio Cheillini in a World Cup match.
One man’s demise though, has always proven to be another man’s opportunity. Edinson Cavani, who won the Ligue 1 for Paris Saint Germain this season, has finally got the chance to lead the attack for the La Celeste. The injury of Juventus’ Martin Caceres has increased the responsibility of the Atletico Madrid Centre-back Diego Godin.
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Suarez celebrates a goal against Paraguay with teammate Perez in the Copa America 2014. —Reuters |
Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez has retained most of the players from his World Cup squad, with no new and exciting names, the La Celeste this time do not seem to be favourites to win the Copa America.
The likes of Venezuela, Mexico, Jamaica, Peru and Paraguay also have the capability to surprise any opponent on their day. These teams are surely to add more spice and drama to the already intriguing Copa America 2015.
The Copa America is representative of the South American footballing culture, as they say in Brazil “O Jogo Bonito”, it’s all about the beauty of football at the South American Intercontinental Championship.