Usually scattered around teams across the globe, South America’s finest players start on July 1 a scramble for the title of Copa America and bragging rights for the next four years. The 2011 rendezvous is back in Argentina for the first time since 1987, a year that saw one of Uruguay’s finest generations of players lift the trophy after seeing off the then World Champions Argentina, with a certain Diego Maradona, in the semifinals. In the final, Enzo Francescoli and co beat a Chile side that previously caused a storm by hammering the mighty Brazil 4-0 in the qualifying rounds.
This edition of the continent’s biggest tournament promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory and teams will be lining up to take the trophy away from Brazil, who won four of the last five Copas, including back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2007 and 1997/99 – Colombia prevailed in 2001. As much as Argentina should be considered the tournament favorites thanks to a group of quality players led by the best footballer in the world, Lionel Messi, as well as for being the hosts, betting on them straight away could prove tricky.
So, how do the contenders line-up? Below, my humble assessment of what is supposed to happen till the decider on July 24th.
BRAZIL: The current double champions and future World Cup hosts have historically been underdogs in the South American showdown, having won the Copa only eight times in comparison to Argentina’s and Uruguay’s tally of 14. Five of those wins, however, came in the last 20 years. With arguably the most inexperienced side in a couple generations, the Brazilians will once again rely on attacking power, with Neymar, Robinho and Pato feeding from Paulo Henrique Ganso’s passes, and trust that old horse Lucio and AC Milan’s Thiago Silva can keep things tidy at the back. Since being taken over by Mano Menezes after the 2010 World Cup, however, Brazil has failed to beat any of the world’s top teams.
Verdict: Finalists at least
This edition of the continent’s biggest tournament promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory and teams will be lining up to take the trophy away from Brazil, who won four of the last five Copas, including back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2007 and 1997/99 – Colombia prevailed in 2001. As much as Argentina should be considered the tournament favorites thanks to a group of quality players led by the best footballer in the world, Lionel Messi, as well as for being the hosts, betting on them straight away could prove tricky.
So, how do the contenders line-up? Below, my humble assessment of what is supposed to happen till the decider on July 24th.
BRAZIL: The current double champions and future World Cup hosts have historically been underdogs in the South American showdown, having won the Copa only eight times in comparison to Argentina’s and Uruguay’s tally of 14. Five of those wins, however, came in the last 20 years. With arguably the most inexperienced side in a couple generations, the Brazilians will once again rely on attacking power, with Neymar, Robinho and Pato feeding from Paulo Henrique Ganso’s passes, and trust that old horse Lucio and AC Milan’s Thiago Silva can keep things tidy at the back. Since being taken over by Mano Menezes after the 2010 World Cup, however, Brazil has failed to beat any of the world’s top teams.
Verdict: Finalists at least
ARGENTINA: Runners-up in the last two editions, which included a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Brazil in Peru four years ago, Argentina has not won the Copa since 1993 and the whole country expects the duck to be smashed by Messi an co. On paper, the squad is mouth-watering, with Barcelona’s little genius counting on some remarkable supporting acts such as Carlos Tevez, Angel Di Maria, Kun Agueri and Gonzalo Higuain. The scene is all set for a triumph, but we have seen this movie a couple of times before and Argentina invariably died at the end.
Verdict: Finalists at least
URUGUAY: After reaching the semifinals in South Africa, Uruguay deserves to be taken seriously as a contender but the prospects also look good thanks to the form of the country’s main strikers, Liverpool’s Luiz Suarez and Napoli’s Edinson Cavani. Curiously enough the squad does not feature a single player from Libertadores’s Cup runners-up Peñarol. On a good day, they can pickpocket Brazil and Argentina and dream with a record 15th title. But need to be on their toes, especially clanger-prone goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Verdict: Semifinals and maybe surprising finalist.
Verdict: Finalists at least
URUGUAY: After reaching the semifinals in South Africa, Uruguay deserves to be taken seriously as a contender but the prospects also look good thanks to the form of the country’s main strikers, Liverpool’s Luiz Suarez and Napoli’s Edinson Cavani. Curiously enough the squad does not feature a single player from Libertadores’s Cup runners-up Peñarol. On a good day, they can pickpocket Brazil and Argentina and dream with a record 15th title. But need to be on their toes, especially clanger-prone goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Verdict: Semifinals and maybe surprising finalist.
CHILE: A surprise pack in South Africa, they now have lost their tinkering coach Marcelo Bielsa, who has been replaced by another Argentine, 1986 World Cup winner Claudio Borghi. Boasting one of the most desirable players at the moment, Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez, the Chileans dream about their first continental title, but have been drawn in the hardest group, C, with Uruguay, Mexico and Peru.
Verdict: Early flight home is a possibility
MEXICO: Invited to the tournament alongside fellow CONCACAF members Costa Rica, the Mexicans always overstay their welcome, having reached the final in 1993 and 2001, as well as by finishing third in 1997, 1999 and 2007. Normally would be considered a good outside bet for the last four, but the recent dismissal of eight players thanks to excessive partying after a friendly in Ecuador could have effects on team spirit.
Verdict: Quarterfinals
Verdict: Early flight home is a possibility
MEXICO: Invited to the tournament alongside fellow CONCACAF members Costa Rica, the Mexicans always overstay their welcome, having reached the final in 1993 and 2001, as well as by finishing third in 1997, 1999 and 2007. Normally would be considered a good outside bet for the last four, but the recent dismissal of eight players thanks to excessive partying after a friendly in Ecuador could have effects on team spirit.
Verdict: Quarterfinals
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