Both Paraguay and Venezuela advanced to the semi-finals by defeating a major candidate in quarters. Uruguay waits for the winner in Buenos Aires
Celestes look forward to consolidate their excellent moment next Sunday at the Monumental. They don't wait for a top candidate as Chile or Brazil in the final, but Paraguay and Venezuela have showed strong credentials to stop Uruguay from lifting their 15th title.
Paraguayans have the opportunity to redeem themselves from their last Copa America final, back in 1979. This is Venezuela's best performance in the competition, but team's coach Cesar Farias believes they can make it even further this time.
Last week we witnessed an intense clash between these two fierce rivals, in which Venezuela came back from a 3-1 partial defeat, but I believe both teams have grown more confident in the course of the last week. Aerial play is likely to be decisive once again, just like it will be next Sunday in Buenos Aires against Uruguay.
Even Venezuela's own goalkeeper must have been surprised by his contribution to Venezuela's winning goal last week over Chile. Renny Vega is one of the main referents in the team, providing the same security Diego Muslera gives to the Uruguayans between the posts.
I firmly believe Venezuela's strongest weapon is their versatility. Six different players have scored for Venezuela, making it impossible to nullify their attack with a close personal mark. Venezuela is the best team in the competition so far, with two victories and two draws after 4 Copa America games.
Paraguay, on the other hand, reached the semi-finals after four consecutive draws. Los Guaranies might be the obvious favorite, but we've already learned tradition is not enough to dominate American football nowadays.
Paraguay needs to improve both their defense and their dribbling. Against Brazil they were forced to adopt a defensive strategy, but I expect a balanced, aggressive formation to lock horns with Venezuela.
Kayserispor's midfielder Jonathan Santana or Nestor Ortigoza may give Gerardo Martino more control over the flow of the ball, will this be enough to bag the victory in Mendoza?
Paraguayans have the opportunity to redeem themselves from their last Copa America final, back in 1979. This is Venezuela's best performance in the competition, but team's coach Cesar Farias believes they can make it even further this time.
Last week we witnessed an intense clash between these two fierce rivals, in which Venezuela came back from a 3-1 partial defeat, but I believe both teams have grown more confident in the course of the last week. Aerial play is likely to be decisive once again, just like it will be next Sunday in Buenos Aires against Uruguay.
Even Venezuela's own goalkeeper must have been surprised by his contribution to Venezuela's winning goal last week over Chile. Renny Vega is one of the main referents in the team, providing the same security Diego Muslera gives to the Uruguayans between the posts.
I firmly believe Venezuela's strongest weapon is their versatility. Six different players have scored for Venezuela, making it impossible to nullify their attack with a close personal mark. Venezuela is the best team in the competition so far, with two victories and two draws after 4 Copa America games.
Paraguay, on the other hand, reached the semi-finals after four consecutive draws. Los Guaranies might be the obvious favorite, but we've already learned tradition is not enough to dominate American football nowadays.
Paraguay needs to improve both their defense and their dribbling. Against Brazil they were forced to adopt a defensive strategy, but I expect a balanced, aggressive formation to lock horns with Venezuela.
Kayserispor's midfielder Jonathan Santana or Nestor Ortigoza may give Gerardo Martino more control over the flow of the ball, will this be enough to bag the victory in Mendoza?
