Group By Group
The 2011 Copa America kicks off this weekend with hosts Argentina hosting Bolivia on Friday, July 1 at 20:45 local time.
Since this was first published, Japan, who were original invitees have withdrawn. Their spot has been taken by Costa Rica from the Central America region of CONCACAF. Costa Rica will kick off in Group A.
Group A:
Argentina, hosts and co-favourites, stand head and shoulders above the other teams in this group. A deep and talented squad with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Javier Pastore, Ever Banega and the two Ezequiels, Garay and Lavezzi, should easily finish as group winners, with a perfect record far from implausible. Lionel Messi will have his work cut out for him as opposition defences look to double up to stop him. A strong supporting cast should ensure that lapses in concentration, once the game seems won, do not recur. Coach Sergio Batista and Captain Javier Mascherano will strive to ensure the home crowds are impressed with the fare on display, as they seek to take this team all the way. Inter's Javier Zanetti has been given a recall to the squad at the age of 37.
Colombia, still rebuilding, are not yet the finished article. Having missed out on qualification for the last two World Cups, they are far removed from the high that followed their 2001 Copa America win. However, an improving, young squad captained by veteran Milan defender Mario Yepes and containing attacking gems such as Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega and Porto’s Radamel Falcao, as well as fellow Porto midfielder Freddy Guarin, should prove strong enough for a second placed finish. Costa Rica will offer plucky resistance but should contest nothing better than one of the two best third placed finishers. Their main competition will be Bolivia, who although 4-1 winners over Argentina in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, are not outwardly threatening but may sneak in as one of the best 3rd placed teams.
Players to watch: Lionel Messi, Javier Pastore, Radamel Falcao, Ezequiel Lavezzi
Group B:
B is for Brazil and the South American giants should stroll through this group as winners. Their squad is packed with talent and should easily secure all nine points on tap. Current coach Mario Menezes has stuck to picking the best squad he has. No place for Ronaldinho, Kaka or Villareal's Nilmar as he builds around the new core of Santos pair Neymar and Ganso. A new look Brazil fields as strong a Selecao as it ever has. With their defence and goalkeeping situation both deep and imperious, Brazil should make up for their World Cup disappointment by winning this tournament. Elano makes a surprise return on the back of strong domestic form while U-20 Sao Paulo star Lucas lines up in attack.
Behind them, World Cup quarterfinalists Paraguay should clinch second, if only through their defensive solidity more than their attacking verve. Despite the purple patches that strikers Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund) and Oscar Cardozo have been in recently, the red and whites will look to the defence to pull them through. Depending on their draw, they could make the final four. Ecuador and Venezuela are here to make up the numbers, sadly. The 2006 Ecuador World Cup squad is long retired and the new players, almost entirely home based, are not at the same level as Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia. Venezuela, although improving, can hope for third spot in the group, at best.
Players to watch: Antonio Valencia, Lucas, Ganso, Neymar, Lucas Barrios
Group C:
This is easily the toughest of the groups, with three of the four teams impressing at the World Cup last year (Uruguay finishing fourth). While the remaining team, Peru, is currently in a period of stagnation, they boast an impressive pedigree at the Copa America, having reached the final eight in each of the last four editions. However, this group will prove to be too strong for a recovering programme and a last place finish beckons, despite the efforts of Hamburg’s Paolo Guerrero and Fiorentina’s Juan Vargas. Above them, expect all three of Mexico, Uruguay and Chile to progress, with any of them capable of taking top spot.
Uruguay are nominal favourites, hoping to build on their World Cup campaign with practically the same squad, the quartet of Diegos (Forlan, Godin, Perez and Lugano) well augmented by Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani up front, the latter being Europe’s hottest young striker. Chile, so tactically fluid and well drilled, will look to repeat and build on their performances in South Africa last year, with coach Marcelo Bielsa back at the helm and the entire squad intact. Tag them as dark horses for the tournament, capable of beating almost any team on their day, despite lacking any superstars. Look for Udinese pair Alexis Sanchez and Mauricio Isla to put themselves in a potential shop window. Finally there is Mexico, fresh off their Gold Cup win, who have reached the last four or better in four of their last eight appearances at this tournament, and at least the quarter final every time. Giovanni Dos Santos is the only foreign based player in a squad built solely around domestic talent.
Players to watch: Mauricio Isla, Juan Vargas, Alexis Sanchez, Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan
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