With
host nation Chile securing a place in the final with a hard fought victory over
Peru; it’s time for Argentina and Paraguay to face-off against each other again
to grab a spot in the final. These two sides were drawn in the same group and
faced each other in their opening group game which produced not only a
thrilling finish but also a resilient performance from La Albirroja.
Argentina
in the whole tournament have not really played their best football which we
know they are capable off, they had to grind out their wins. They started the
campaign with a draw against Paraguay and then went on to beat defending
champions Uruguay and end the group with a win against Copa America new boys
Jamaica. They squared off against Colombia in the quarter-final and had to take
the game all the way to penalties to progress through to the semis.
Paraguay
the runners-up in last time’s Copa America showing a lot of consistency by
reaching the semis again, and judging by the last time they played against
Argentina, La Albiceleste cannot take them lightly. La Albirroja started the
campaign with a draw against Argentina and then went on to beat Jamaica and the
ended the group stage with a one all draw against Uruguay. They faced the
mighty Brazilians in the quarter-final and once again showed their fighting
spirit coming from behind to level the game and take it to a penalty shoot-out.
Both
these sides have tasted success in this tournament, but for both it been a long
time. Paraguay came close last year but lost to eventual champions Uruguay and
the last time La Albiceleste tasted Copa America success was way back in 1993
and for La Albirroja it was way back in 1979.
Lionel
Messi has won everything there is to win at club level, but at the national
stage he is yet to win an honour, came close in the 2014 at the world Cup at
Brazil. The Barcelona attacker has stressed the importance and his desire to
win the Copa America. On paper La Albiceleste definitely looks a more
formidable side. La Albirroja on the other hand know that they too have a
chance as they squared off once already in this tournament with them and will
look to improve from the last time they met.
Argentina
boss Tata Martino has not been impressed with his side’s performances in this
competition so far and will definitely be looking for a better response from
his side in the semi-final. Paraguay boss Ramon Diaz who has been appointed
only recently has done a fair job and believes his side can cause an upset as
they have been exceptional football against big sides.
The
last five meeting between these sides have seen the Albiceleste winning three
and the Albirroja winning only one and drawing one which is the most recent
result.
La
Albiceleste however should be cautious as a few key players have received
yellow cards and one more would see them miss the all important final. The
players are Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano.
Possible
Line-ups:
Argentina:
Romero; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Otamendi, Rojo, Pastore, Mascherano, Banega,
Messi, Aguero, Tevez.
Paraguay:
Villar; M. Caceres, Da Silva, Balbuena, Samudi, Valdez, Ortiz, V Caceres,D
Gonzalez, Bobadilla; Santa Cruz
Players
to watch out for:
Argentina:
Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Angel Di Maria
Paraguay:
Roque Santa Cruz, Derlis Gonzalez and Nelson Valdez
Joshua Ronald Ivan, follow him on Twitter.
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