Following their success in the last World Cup, Paraguay and Uruguay meet each other at the Monumental with the Copa America title at stake.
Uruguayans know their game. Team's coach Oscar Tabarez has given every single player in his squad (except for the two substitute goalkeepers) the opportunity to show their worth in the Celeste team. Striker Edinson Cavani and Nicolas Lodeiro, two vital players at the beginning at the tournament are likely to watch the final from the bench.
A lot has changed in the last four years in South American football. Back in Venezuela in 2007, we witnessed one of the most intense Copa America in years, with 86 goals scored in 17 games. What's different now, with only 46 goals scored after the first 15 games?
Paraguayan playstyle is one of the best examples to illustrate this point. Gerardo Martino's boys have not scored nor conceded a single goal in the last 240 minutes in the Copa America. Former Argentinos Juniors' playmaker Nestor Ortigoza gave Los Guaranies a fresher perspective, and I believe he's earned his place in the starting eleven. Will it be wise for the Paraguayans to repeat the same approach to face Uruguay in the final?
Paraguayan coach may not have as many alternatives as his rival in his squad, and the situation grows even more difficult considering Jonathan Santana, Roque Santa Cruz and Aureliano Torres will be unable to perform. Sent off during the last game against Venezuela, Martino won't be allowed to sit on the bench for the final, will he still manage to lead Paraguay to the American glory?
"It will be suicidal to plan this game believing we'll control the ball when we know that won't happen" said Gerardo Martino before this clash. Is this really the only football Paraguay can play? Borussia Dortmund's top scorer Lucas Barrios could provide a major boost to their attack, but we haven't yet seen the best of him in the competition, having scored a single goal in 5 games.
Atletico's striker Diego Forlan has played a vital role for Uruguay in the competition, even though he has not been able to taste the net not even once. His partnership with Arevalo Rios has been unstoppable in the midfield, and it's becoming an essential engine in Tabarez's scheme.
Tabarez has many aces up his sleeve, like young striker Abel Hernandez or Cavani himself, who's grown to be one of the deadliest strikers in Italy. Nicolas Lodeiro is an excellent alternative to control the flow of the ball.
Can Paraguay steal the crown off Uruguay's hands? Make your own voice be heard by commenting below!
A lot has changed in the last four years in South American football. Back in Venezuela in 2007, we witnessed one of the most intense Copa America in years, with 86 goals scored in 17 games. What's different now, with only 46 goals scored after the first 15 games?
Paraguayan playstyle is one of the best examples to illustrate this point. Gerardo Martino's boys have not scored nor conceded a single goal in the last 240 minutes in the Copa America. Former Argentinos Juniors' playmaker Nestor Ortigoza gave Los Guaranies a fresher perspective, and I believe he's earned his place in the starting eleven. Will it be wise for the Paraguayans to repeat the same approach to face Uruguay in the final?
Paraguayan coach may not have as many alternatives as his rival in his squad, and the situation grows even more difficult considering Jonathan Santana, Roque Santa Cruz and Aureliano Torres will be unable to perform. Sent off during the last game against Venezuela, Martino won't be allowed to sit on the bench for the final, will he still manage to lead Paraguay to the American glory?
"It will be suicidal to plan this game believing we'll control the ball when we know that won't happen" said Gerardo Martino before this clash. Is this really the only football Paraguay can play? Borussia Dortmund's top scorer Lucas Barrios could provide a major boost to their attack, but we haven't yet seen the best of him in the competition, having scored a single goal in 5 games.
Atletico's striker Diego Forlan has played a vital role for Uruguay in the competition, even though he has not been able to taste the net not even once. His partnership with Arevalo Rios has been unstoppable in the midfield, and it's becoming an essential engine in Tabarez's scheme.
Tabarez has many aces up his sleeve, like young striker Abel Hernandez or Cavani himself, who's grown to be one of the deadliest strikers in Italy. Nicolas Lodeiro is an excellent alternative to control the flow of the ball.
Can Paraguay steal the crown off Uruguay's hands? Make your own voice be heard by commenting below!
